Indoor witerize

[allCAD]

I fully understand the winterization procedures for outboards, and I've read the string from the top secret file.

If I were planning on not letting the motor actually freeze, does it change the procedure, or is a procedure necessary?

I was considering just putting my rebuilt 40HP on a horse in the basement for the winter just to avoid any potential ugliness - our winters are unpredictable and can get hairy, and I think it's probably worth the 10 minutes it'll take to disconnect the controls and bring it into the basement.

Is this not recommended for some reason?

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Indoor witerize

Minnesota winters are almost as ugly. We have forum members that carry their smaller outboards indoors for the winter. No problem at all, plus gives them a warm comfortable place to work on them. The winterize procedure is still good practice though.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Indoor witerize

Yes, stabilize the fuel and run the motor a bit to get the fuel into the carbs. Change the gear oil and hit the grease fittings. The rest you can skip, if you put her in the basement.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Indoor witerize

Although it's not the best practice, many outboards sit all winter or other long stretches without having anything done, and are fine in the spring. In the days before ethanol, this was rather typical, but ethanol gas sitting for a few months is not a good idea. But my point is, when it comes to winterizing, there are 2 distinct processes: one is to remove water to prevent freezing, the other is to protect the fuel system from getting funky just from sitting still and to protect the interior engine surfaces from rust, etc. The second process is not season or temperature driven, and if skipped or short-cutted might not do any harm. Screw up on the water removal, though, and it's all over.

 

[allCAD]

Re: Indoor witerize

Alrighty, good stuff - thanks everone.