To fog or not to fog. That is the question

[dingbat]

The boat is being pulled at the end of the month for winter layover and may not be used again until the first of March. I?ve always changed the lower unit oil and added stabilizer to the fuel but that never felt the need to fog the cylinders for such a short layover.

I was out fishing with a mechanic the other day who suggested that I should fog anytime the boat would sit for 30 days or more. I thought this a little extreme but he was adamant with his argument.

What does everyone think?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

i have mixed feelings about that. i'm in Fl, and never heard of winterizing, or fogging, until i joined the forum. but we boat year round.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

I guess the real answer to that question is that your storing an engine with metal components exposed to moisture.

Is it necessary? I've heard many folks who don't with no problems.

I did it because I was told that's what you do to winterize it. After everything I read, I'm not sure its required but I still do for 2 reasons:

1. I store my boat from end of Oct through to end of April (6 months)
2. Cheap insurance. $6 can of fogging oil will last several years so it won't hurt to squirt the $1 worth of oil in it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

Dingbat, I think the mechanic is preaching overkill as well. If the motor is 2 cycle, there is a quite bit of residual oil in the motor anyway. Fogging is protecting against rust, so the residual oil has the same function. I never foged my old 2 cycle outboards, and never had a problem. I fog the new ones since I live on the salt water.

If the motor is 4 cycle, there is a lot more concern for rust, especially if the motor is kept in a damp place. I always mixed some 2 cycle oil in my sterndrive gasoline. I was concerned that the cast iron intake manifold would rust out.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

If the motor is 2 cycle, there is a quite bit of residual oil in the motor anyway. I never foged my old 2 cycle outboards, and never had a problem.

Agreed...same here.

 

[DJ]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

You are in a relatively high humidity area. Here in AZ, I don't fog for a few month layover.

Where you are, I would. I suspect there is some some salt in the air there.

Even a light fog, just spraying some down the carb. throats, while running, just before killing the engine would help. A slight amount of rust can be very harmful to rings.

 

[mthieme]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

I'm in the same boat...about 4 months downtime.
I don't bother and have never had any issues.
I can't help but wonder if everyone is as adamant about their mowers, weed whackers, third car, 4 wheelers, motorbikes, etc.
I also play with vintage tractors, many sit for much longer periods of time and most fire right up (with fresh gas of course).

 

[coolguy147]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

lol i probably wont fog my motor since i live in floirda and i will use my motor during the winter and i ahve a older 1959 motor so i have to run 24:1 mixture and therefore pleanty of left ovr oil in the motor but a fog wouldnt hurt if ur situation isnt the same as mine

 

[steelespike]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

I learned the hard way For 30 years or more I didn't fog or treat the fuel.
Only the lower unit and a little lube hear and there.Never a problem because usually only laid up for about 3-4 months.Then my boat ended up out of. service for a couple of years.A real mess.Allways assume the boat will be laid up for an extended time. Do the full monty.I purchased a boat that I knew
well allways stored properly It had been stored for about 15 years run one summer about 5 years ago to this point it still operates well.

 

[JustJason]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

If it's a basic carbed outboard it only takes 10 minutes to fog it....
It's only 10 minutes.... so why wouldn't you?

 

[coolguy147]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

unless u plan on using it during the winter frequently most likely u wont have to fog just do the other maitenence items

i am i know lol

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

I think your concern brings up the question about fuel stabilizer, and whether
or not stabilizer has any rust or crud preventing abilities. Stabilizer is supposed
to dissolve crud deposits in fuel, so it should have properties in it to prevent
the formation of crud, also. Crud deposits and rust are not the same, but the
question about whether or not stabilizer will help prevent their formation over
a 4 month term remains to be answered. I am curious, too, as my winter period
is about 4 months.

 

[Lesa]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

Hello Everyone,

I just pulled my boat out of the water yesterday and brought it home until probably May.

My mechanic told me to get the fogging oil and to use it, which I am more than willing to do, as N.C. winters can be rather damp. But I can't figure out exactly where to spray it.

I have a 2004 Yamaha outboard...115 V-4.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA

Lesa

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

Lesa, best to ask in yamaha forum. http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

 

[Lesa]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

Lesa, best to ask in yamaha forum. http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

Will Do, Thank You.

 

[donandmax]

Re: To fog or not to fog. That is the question

No need to fog a 2 stroke its already well lubed from the oil in the gas.