Not winterizing my engine

[gallows]

I intend to not winterize my engine this year. I may get a chance to use it during the winter, but I was wondering if as long as I start it regularly and run it for a few minutes, at least once every four weeks on the muffs, will it be OK to just leave it with gas in the carbs and tank? It is a 70 hp evinrude with oil injection.

 

[HybridMX6]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

I never leave mine with gas in it, I pull the fuel line off and run it dry after every trip, unless I'm heading out the following weekend. I'd rather if my gas is going to gunk up that it do it in my fuel tank before my fuel/water separater than inside my engine's carbs.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

multiple carb motors should not be run dry.

add seafoam to your fuel, and it should be good, always store it in the running position. it is best to tilt it up and then back down so any water in the block will drain.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

Gallows, Outboards have little to winterize. Use some stalilizer in the fuel, over the winter, lubricate the grease fittings and change the gear oil, before winter sert in.

Normally we do not run oil injected motors dry, as this loads then with oil.

You do not need to run it. it will be fine with the stabilizer.

 

[gallows]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

Thanks for the info! I'll add stabilizer.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

You should also grease the steering ram and the PT&T rams and withdraw them when possible.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

I agree, just use stabilizer... and I would still change the LU oil once a year. whenever you do it is fine but I do all mine when I winterize. So you will need to fit it in your routine somewhere.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

Agreed, you will be fine if you have some stabil. I would reccommend draining the lower unit and refilling it ASAP. That way you can see if any water did get in there over the summer. If it stays in there over a freeze, it could make things really bad, so work that lower unit lube seal into your late fall schedule, just to be sure.

I am still running my motor and we got snow last night. I keep the lower unit in the lake to prevent any freezing over night. The lake acts like a big heat sink preventing any water that may be in there from freezing. That is, until the lake freezes of course! I hope to have the boat out of the water prior to that, though.

 

[gallows]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

Thanks for the tips. I am going to change the leg oil this week. Do I have to use the expensive Johnson/Evinrude branded leg oil or will it be OK to use a generic Canadian Tire brand which is a lot less expensive?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

Thanks for the tips. I am going to change the leg oil this week. Do I have to use the expensive Johnson/Evinrude branded leg oil or will it be OK to use a generic Canadian Tire brand which is a lot less expensive?

The Canadian oil will be fine unless it's an American made engine which in that case you should only use American oil!!!!!!

Not really, just funnin with ya, just use the Canadian Tire oil!!!!!!!!!!

 

[asdasc]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

Just make sure it is for outboards (marine use). There are differences in the way they react with water should any get into the lower unit. The marine stuff will keep on working as long as it can, the automotive 90 weight gear oil will immediately stop working when water is introduced, from what I am told.

 

[gallows]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

Yes, I just changed the leg oil a few minutes ago, there were two types available so I used the regular marine leg oil SAE 90, the other type was called Type C leg oil, it looked a lot thinner, I don't know what that oil is used for?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Not winterizing my engine

You used the correct oil - high viscosity.