Do I have to do the winterization?

Always drain the lower leg gear oil each fall and leave empy over the winter. In spring just refill and replace the rubber O-Rings. Never had and issue yet in 6 yrs. 115hp Yamaha for our pontoon. Each spring, I also change the oil, synthetic only, and also new fuel filter. In all about $75.00 per season, the hr meter says 1441hrs of use so far.

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Originally Posted by line052

Always drain the lower leg gear oil each fall and leave empy over the winter. In spring just refill and replace the rubber O-Rings. Never had and issue yet in 6 yrs. 115hp Yamaha for our pontoon. Each spring, I also change the oil, synthetic only, and also new fuel filter. In all about $75.00 per season, the hr meter says 1441hrs of use so far.

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you should replace bottom end oil in the fall, dont leave empty... creates condensation in the lower unit, which will create rust...

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Originally Posted by fishy steve

you should replace bottom end oil in the fall, dont leave empty... creates condensation in the lower unit, which will create rust...

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I will second that statement, a friend learned the hard way.

Motor oil should be changed in the fall along with the filter.

Empty the float bowl(s) to avoid crud buildup

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Originally Posted by line052

Always drain the lower leg gear oil each fall and leave empy over the winter. In spring just refill and replace the rubber O-Rings. Never had and issue yet in 6 yrs. 115hp Yamaha for our pontoon. Each spring, I also change the oil, synthetic only, and also new fuel filter. In all about $75.00 per season, the hr meter says 1441hrs of use so far.

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Very bad advice. Refill it in the fall so the internal parts are coated with oil. Also, engine oil should be changed in the fall so the used oil with accumulated acids and contaminants doesn't sit on the bearing surfaces over the winter. It can and will etch them depending on what contaminants are present.

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Originally Posted by fishy steve

you should replace bottom end oil in the fall, dont leave empty... creates condensation in the lower unit, which will create rust...

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x3 .

TD

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Originally Posted by Tactical870

Very bad advice. Refill it in the fall so the internal parts are coated with oil. Also, engine oil should be changed in the fall so the used oil with accumulated acids and contaminants doesn't sit on the bearing surfaces over the winter. It can and will etch them depending on what contaminants are present.

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^^This^^