winterize my self...or pay?

[rob711]

this is my first season with a new outboard..a leftover 2005 115hp merc 4 stroke...i've winterized i/os before and seen a 2 stroke ob done...my plan was to change the lower end oil...change the motor oil and filter but fogging is going to be a issue..i considered taking out the plugs and squirting a bit of oil in that way...the other day i saw a show...ship shape tv...basically a half hour commercial for boat products..any way he was winterizing a i/o. in stead of fogging he filled the water seperator/fuel filter with 2 stroke oil and ran it for a few minutes like that...seemed clever...i was talking about this with a uncle who said i'd be dumb to do any of it myself and i should just pay someone to do it...to me that seems like a waste of money....unless of course i fu%$ it up then it would be worth it...but i have a manual....going to stabalize the fuel..store the motor vertical...what ya think...hmmmm

 

[1730V]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

Still in warranty? If so, it's a no brainer, let them do it.

 

[rob711]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

yeah warr. good for 3 yrs...it was purchased out of state but i have mercury dealer somewhat close by....good point with the warranty

 

[Esox]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

Personally, I would do it myself. Winterizing an outboard - 2 stroke or 4 stroke - isn't that difficult. Is winterizing really covered under warranty?

 

[j442w30]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

I doubt winterizing is covered by the warranty unless that was part of the deal when you purchased the engine. If I were you I would do it myself rather than paying someone else to do it. Winterizing an outboard is not that difficult because things are easy to get at and by their design they are self draining. Run the engine with some stabilizer mixed into the gasoline. Change the lower unit gear lube, engine oil and filter and spray some fogging oil into the cylinders and down the carburetor throats (not necessary if its an EFI or DFI). Hit the grease zerks with a grease gun and put some dielectric grease on any electrical connections. Hope this helps.

 

[rob711]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

i'm sure its not covered..as i will have to pay..but i'm wondering if some thing should go wrong would they be able to say that i never winterized it properly...i'm on the fence about if i should do it or pay

 

[1730V]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

Of course winterizing is not covered by the warranty. Never said it was.

However, if the dealer does it and messes up, you have an out. The manufacturer will not cover a dealer that messes up but you have a lot more leverage if it does happen.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

Of course winterizing is not covered by the warranty. Never said it was.

However, if the dealer does it and messes up, you have an out. The manufacturer will not cover a dealer that messes up but you have a lot more leverage if it does happen.

I totally agree: if I owned a warrantied engine, I'd have a dealer winterize it for me. Just for the records to show that if the engine has a problem, it's not caused my own maintenance mistakes.

Frankly, it doesn't cost much to have a shop do it. Sure we can do all this simple stuff ourselves, but sometimes it just isn't worth it. I'll bet your local dealer has a flat rate for winterizing - then you can decide for yourself.

I sometimes do all my various home and recreational engines myself, but sometimes just pay to have it done (depending on the time I have to screw around with it).

 

[rob711]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

after careful consideration i've decieded to have it done....ie. the wife said to pay the guy....this alone is worth it...if something went wrong that turned out to be my fault i would hear about it untill i was dead!!!! thanks all for the opinions

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: winterize my self...or pay?

Under warranty then an authorised dealer so there is no comeback on you doing something wrong. Makes sense to me.
Out of warranty motor like mine. Do it myself each time. Easy to do and I know it is done right and only have myself to blame. I would hate to have mine done by a dealer before and after lunch !!!! You never know what is missed. Had an episode like that with a car repair once. Tie rod end on but not tightened. Could have been nasty if I had not both heard and found the problem.