De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Ok it's my first time getting a boat out of winter storage. All I did in the fall was change out the lower unit oil, run the carbs till empty/sprayed storage seal thru air intakes in each carb and then into the spark plug holes in each cyl. Then turned the flywheel to distribute the oil a bit. Oh by the way this is an 85 90 hp mercury straight six outboard.<br /><br />I know I have to get rid of the old gas in the tank- too bad because I don't know what to do with 10 gallons of 2 stroke pre-mix (that would be a few weeks worth of weed whacking, leaf blowing, and chain sawing straight...)<br /><br />I happened to notice a dead channel on the switchbox as well, but I have a replacement to put on. Hopefully it didn't cause too much damage (compression remains about the same on all 6 cyls) so after replacing the switchbox and verifying spark on all 6 cyls, what do I do next to get it ready? Just pump fuel in with the primer bulb and get her running? Is there any concern with all the oil (storage seal)just sitting in the cylinders? Is there a mini-break in period when coming out of storage?<br />Thanks

 

[ZmOz]

Re: De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

Just pump it up and start it. That's all you need to do. In the future, don't run the carbs dry. First of all, they don't run dry at the same time, so some of the cylinders are running without fuel, and there fore without oil. Second, you don't get all the gas out, so it actually gums up quicker than if you would have left it completely full. Also the gas from last year is fine to use. There is a long discussion in the general boats section, you might want to look at it. If you're worried about it mix it half and half with premium and you will be just fine. 10 gallons of gas does not go bad over the winter.

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

Huh!<br />Thanks for the advice. I have heard conflicting advice about all of this:<br /><br />-You should run the carbs dry. New reformulated gas (with alcohol) is bad and attacks rubber/plastic/etc. You should get it out of there or it will varnish the inside of the carb bowls, jets etc.<br /><br />-You should not run the carbs dry, for precicely the reason you say- so some pistons may be pumping with no oil. Also people say the 2 stroke oil contains enough preservative to keep it fresh over the winter.<br /><br />Anyway, I didn't feel too bad about running the carbs dry before storage, and I was spraying Storage Seal into the carbs as it choked out, so I think there was probably enough coating on the parts to keep them in good shape. Also I took a look at each cylinder right after and only one looked 'off'...it was alittle warm. That was the one that had no spark so it could have been that.<br /><br />Good idea on the gas, I will mix it up with some fresh gas before using it.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

If you really must empty the carbs, you can drain them rather than running it dry. Still, you don't need to. I've never used a drop of fuel stabilizer or drained a carb, and I store alot of engines every year. No problems what so ever.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

While not disagreeing with ZmOz's point of view, I would suggest that if it concerns you at all, next fall, simply put some fuel stabilizer in the tanks and run through the carbs before fogging. Then you have absolutely no concern about the freshness of the fuel the next spring. It's cheap and easy and for my money, if it ever prevents a carb rebuild or any tiny on-water problem, it's well worth it. I have about a 6 - 7 month layover in the winter, so my situation might be different than many/most. <br /><br />There'll be debate on the following but... If you have some old pre-mix you want to get rid of, I've had luck just putting it in my pickup truck (a carborated rig, not FI, but I've read of people doing the same with FI cars) I put 5 gallons premix in at a time and it's a 15 gal. tank I try to put as much unmixed fuel as I can to dilute it. So the net oil ratio is very small. I've never noticed any smoking or performance change in the truck and I've done it a few times, maybe 20 or 30 gallons in all. <br /><br />I've seen others recommend that the occasional tank of 50:1 won't hurt a 4 cycle lawnmower either, but I haven't tried that one myself, since I can get rid of it through the truck.<br /><br />I'll also go on record in the "don't run the carbs dry" camp. <br /><br />Spring - just start up and after it blows smoke for a while, it's good to go (caveat - other spring things might be in order, for example, plugs, impeller, etc. depending on your own judgement). <br /><br />Dan

 

[ZmOz]

Re: De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

I frequently get rid of a gallon of 2 cycle in the 20 gallon tank of my fuel injected, catylitically converted cherokee. No problems. I also use 50:1 in every tank of my 4 cycle lawnmower...smokes a little more but other than that no problems.

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

Are there regional differences in the mixtures of 'reformulated' gasoline?<br />I keep reading about how it's horrible for rubber and plastic...<br />Well anyway sounds like I'm worrying too much, I won't run em dry next year.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: De-Winterizing? un-winterizing? re-summerizing?

Originally posted by Merc90HPnewbie:<br /> Are there regional differences in the mixtures of 'reformulated' gasoline?<br />I keep reading about how it's horrible for rubber and plastic...<br />Well anyway sounds like I'm worrying too much, I won't run em dry next year.

Yes, some places use MTBE, some ethanol, and some use nothing at all. While it's not good for any part of your engine, don't worry about it too much either.