Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

[dave4881]

I have a 1995 Mercury XR4 150 HP (2-stroke) that I need to prepare for winter storage. The boat & motor are kept indoors in a steel building protected from the rain & snow, but not cold.

What do I need to do to the motor to make sure it gets through the COLD temps in the winter?

Does anyone know where I can download a copy of the owner's manual for this motor?

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

We don't do anything special here in tha dfw area. Make sure its trimmed all tha way down and check lower for any water. Get rid of old gas add sta-bil to what ya can't get out of tha tank. Since tha gas has gotten so bad we change all fuel lines, bleed lines and filter in tha spring (or prior to first go-round)every year. Don't have any problems.

Buyin' a manual? Might wanna check your year. Last XR4 was '91 "fat" block 2.4 ................

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

How cold does it get in Arkansas? -30 f here in MN sometimes worse. I am getting a bit worried about winterizing my mercruiser 3.0l I/O.

 

[dave4881]

Re: Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

We don't do anything special here in tha dfw area. Make sure its trimmed all tha way down and check lower for any water. Get rid of old gas add sta-bil to what ya can't get out of tha tank. Since tha gas has gotten so bad we change all fuel lines, bleed lines and filter in tha spring (or prior to first go-round)every year. Don't have any problems.

Buyin' a manual? Might wanna check your year. Last XR4 was '91 "fat" block 2.4 ................

Thanks... I'm pretty sure mine is a '95 XR4, 150 HP.

 

[dave4881]

Re: Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

How cold does it get in Arkansas? -30 f here in MN sometimes worse. I am getting a bit worried about winterizing my mercruiser 3.0l I/O.

Back in January, we had five straight nights where it was 3? to 5?, which is cold enough to freeze any water. You probably get those temps in the daytime up North!

Where do you store your boat? I kept my boat with an I/O inside our garage with an automatic heater (Xtreme Heater 450W) in the engine compartment. It would kick on if temps fell below 40? to keep from freezing. Better find out how to get that water out of the engine block if its exposed to freezing temps.

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

Thanks... I'm pretty sure mine is a '95 XR4, 150 HP.

'91 WAS tha last year of production for XR4. If someone sold you a '95 XR4 its BS or has a replacement powerhead manufactored in '95 (check build date stamped on tha motor). Its a one of a kind 2.4 thats known as a "fat" block 2.4. About tha only oddball motor they built. Also tha first year of tha "fat" block 2.0 motor. Completly different block from '87 to '90model XR4 (along with several other parts). Late '91 and up was XR6. A 2.5 motor that replaced tha XR4.

Not tryin' ta be a butt head but I know my V6 Merc/Mariners inside n out. 'specially tha pre cdm motors. Explainin' all this cause its very important if and when ya buy a manual and/or parts for it........................D

 

[dave4881]

Re: Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

'91 WAS tha last year of production for XR4. If someone sold you a '95 XR4 its BS or has a replacement powerhead manufactored in '95 (check build date stamped on tha motor). Its a one of a kind 2.4 thats known as a "fat" block 2.4. About tha only oddball motor they built. Also tha first year of tha "fat" block 2.0 motor. Completly different block from '87 to '90model XR4 (along with several other parts). Late '91 and up was XR6. A 2.5 motor that replaced tha XR4.

Not tryin' ta be a butt head but I know my V6 Merc/Mariners inside n out. 'specially tha pre cdm motors. Explainin' all this cause its very important if and when ya buy a manual and/or parts for it........................D

Thanks for the info...... Where is the "build date" on the motor?

What's a fat block?

The serial number is: OD044260

Guess I'll have to figure out what's with this motor...

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Winterizing a '95 Mercury XR4 150 HP

Build date is stamped at tha base of #2 cylinder on tha "block" half (back half or cylinder half of motor) where tha two block halves bolt together almost right behind the advance timing arm. It will be small (1/8") numbers. Will be M/D/Y. It is possible for it to be a "replacement" powerhead. You should be able to check this by comparing tha serial # on tha clamp bracket to tha number that "should" be stamped on tha welsh plug if tha metal insert is still there. Sometimes when a block is fixed (heated for sleeve replacement) tha insert with tha number comes out never ta be found again . Its a freeze plug looking thing on top of tha motor between tha heads.

That serial number shows ta be '91. '92's start in tha 0D08200 series......

Oh yeah. "Fat" block is a 2.0 or 2.4 that is tha later 2.5 STYLE block. They continued tha 2.0 but '91 was tha only 2.4 "fat block". Might be a few around that have '90 or '92 build dates but not many..........