Suz DF140 winterizing at the dock all winter

[zx7king]

Hello all,

I have searched through the forums and was unable to find a post with the answer to this question.. if it is out there, I apologize.

Anyway, I have a Prokat 22CC with twin DF140s that I will be leaving in the water all winter (in NC). I will use the boat throughout the winter and the longest period of time i predict it will sit without use would be a month. Since it does drop below freezing on and off throughout the winter, i wanted to ask the best way to make sure these engines are okay. I have owned outboards for years, but am new to suzuki so i wanted to ask the experts.

Here is what I was going to do.. please let me know if something is incorrect or if i am missing something.

- fuel stabilizer (i run this all the time anyway due to the size of the tanks and how slowly i go through a tank of gas.. 175 gals)
- after each use, run the antifreeze mix through the cooling system from the flush connector (this doesnt get it into the engine though does it?)
- install a battery charger (has 4 batteries and i have access to shore power)
- spray crc silicone inside engine cowling

The thing i have noticed with these engines is that after i have left the boat for a while ... when i lower the engines back into the water, some fresh water i flushed them with previously drains out. With the antifreeze flush, do i need to worry about this?

Thanks in advance,
Charles

 

[Outsider]

Re: Suz DF140 winterizing at the dock all winter

ConventionaL wisdom says leave the engines lowered. That way the powerheads drain and there's little chance of the lower unit freezing unless the water they're in turns to ice ...

 

[yukonpike]

Re: Suz DF140 winterizing at the dock all winter

I have a 115hp that I run in Alaska. I run into Oct. That may may not be late to most people but up here in the interior of Alaska that can be very cold. 0-15 degrees. i leave the motor down and have not had any problems. There is a person that leaves there boat in the water all year round as the river is spring fed and the river does not freeze unless it is -30 for a long period of time. Don't you wish you lived here.

 

[zx7king]

Re: Suz DF140 winterizing at the dock all winter

Thanks...

I definitely dont want the motors to stay in the water so I will probably raise them, flush them with fresh/antifreeze, lower them to drain them, raise them back up and rinse off the lower units with the hose.

Charles