Do I have to do the winterization?

Hi,

I have a boat didn't use it for over two months, I did winterization last year by myself, just start motor and fill with antifreeze, do I have to do it now?

I'm asking the question because the motor starter seems have issue, I want to fix it the next year.

Thanks.


peter

It depends where are you storing it? If it is in the cold then I would winterize it, if there is still water in it you will end up with broken parts.

If it's a normal water cooled outboard, the water SHOULD drain if it's stored upright. But then you would not have been able to fill it with antifreeze.......
What kind of unit are we talking about?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

It depends where are you storing it? If it is in the cold then I would winterize it, if there is still water in it you will end up with broken parts.

---

I will put it in my garage during the winter.

peter

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pat32rf

If it's a normal water cooled outboard, the water SHOULD drain if it's stored upright. But then you would not have been able to fill it with antifreeze.......
What kind of unit are we talking about?

---

It's Mercury 40hp outboard, I park it in my driveway last two month, and I will put it in my garage during the winter.

peter

Normal small engine winterizing is all you need. has a 69 Johnson and all I did every year was dog it and some stabil over the winter.. thus year I took it out if service sure to the gears bring no good. Motor still starts in one pull.. but the gears are so worn down it won't go any more lol... $500 for a new gear

Just drain the lower unit oil and replace with new. You don't need to put any antifreeze in an outboard at all. Ever.

S.

If you can, remove the spark plug and spray some oil down into the cylinder. Put the spark plug back. Change lower oil. If there's water in the lower unit oil it may push out the seals when it freezes.

you should run sta-bil through it if you can, if not empty the bowl on the carb, give it a few pulls to clear any gas in the lines.

$15 for a lower unit oil change is a whole bunch cheaper than replacing gears and seals. I never take a chance.

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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

Quote:

---

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...

---

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

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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...

---

x3 .

TD

Quote:

---

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.

---

^^This^^