winterizing a merc outboard

[hoot]

90 hp merc outboard, getting ready to put it up for the winter. what steps are needed to winterize the motor? boat will stay under a shed with cover. want to be sure all water is removed from motor. any drains on powerhead or will just lowering it down and bumping starter be enough to blow out water?

 

[hoot]

Re: winterizing a merc outboard

nevermind, did some searching and think i found helpful web pages.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: winterizing a merc outboard

I dont know where you are from, but I live on the Oregon coast, I never do anything to winterize my engine and never have for several boats and several types of engines. They lay up for about 4-5 months. the only thing I do is keep them lowered, and I pump the bulb about once a month to keep fuel in the carbs. I ocationally bump the starter to reposition everything. No Stabil, no fogging. Im not saying to do this, what you do is inteirly up to you, but Its what I do and I have never had a problem with starting in the spring.

 

[oregonfish]

Re: winterizing a merc outboard

LubeDude,<br />Do you ever replace the lower unit lube? What about de-carbing? How old are your motors?

 

[sprinkler]

Re: winterizing a merc outboard

I have a 1988 100 HP. I store my boat about 7 months.<br />- StaBil in the fuel (preferably put in during your last day operating)<br />- Fog the engine<br />- Then remove spark plugs, and spray in fogging oil, put spark plugs back in<br />- Change lower unit oil<br />- Lower engine down<br />- Remove battery<br /><br />Then once my girlfriend finishes all that I have her check the trailer bearings.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: winterizing a merc outboard

Originally posted by oregonfish:<br /> LubeDude,<br />Do you ever replace the lower unit lube? What about de-carbing? How old are your motors?

Yes, of coarse, I like to change the lower unit oil in the spring. I do look at it before I set the boat up for the winter to make sure it is clear. The Amsoil I use is very clear and you could tell imeadiatly if it had moisture in it. My boat isnt inside, Its covered with a tarp, but air can circulate.<br /><br />As to Decarbing, I have no use for it as I use Amsoil synthetic oil, and it dosnt get carboned up at all.<br /><br />As to how old my engine is, This particular Merc 150 is an 87, but I have only owned it for a little over a year. I did Heavily Decarb it before changing to the Synthetic though and it was quite a mess. It had been run on Quicksilver all its previous life, and I didnt like what I saw. Cant say for sure if it was the oil though, but it sure is a bunch cleaner now.<br /><br />If I ran my engines in salt, I would do a bit more.