Winterizing Confusion

[jpmurphy]

Regretfully it's time to prepare my 25hp Rude for the winter. I'm searching all of the threads on this proceedure and see references to "seafoam" and "fogging oil". Note: I've never done this before.

All I want to do is get the fuel stabillizer into the engine as suggested, spray either the seafoam or the fogging oil into the combustion chamber and pray for a mild winter. My rig will probably be sitting for 4-5 months.

Is there a difference between the seafoam and the fogging oil or is this like chevy and ford ?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

Put the Seafoam or Stabil Marine stabilizers into your fuel tank and run your motor to circulate through your carbs. While motor is running spray fogging oil into carb intakes as per instructions on can to coat all internal engine parts with oil/corrosion inhibitors. motor will smoke a lot and may even cut off, that's O.K. I would then drain each carb with drain plug on side of carb float bowl. Change oil in motor lower unit, spray engine inside and outside with WD-40 or similar, grease all zerk fittings with marine grease, and store your motor. Good Luck!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

To answer your question, the fogging oil has corrosion inhibitors in it that are not in Seafoam or Stabil. You may be better to just buy a can of the fogging oil to be sure. A can should last you several seasons of winterizing.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

SeaFoam does tout itself as a motor fogging solution but you're better of with legit fogging oil. I wouldn't want the seafoam breaking a bunch of carbon free and then letting it sit in the crankcase all winter long. BRP fogging oil is only $8.25 a can and it'll last for a half dozen seasons on a motor that small.

Depending on your motor, you may have a schrader valve to inject the fogging solution. If you do not, you'll need to spray it into the carb throat while the motor is running, and after that, remove the plugs and inject it through the cylinder head. Then, rotate the crankcase a few times to make sure it is evenly distributed. Reinstall the plugs and you're done fogging! It's a piece of cake.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

I have a 25hp as well. The factory manual says to stabilize the fuel and fog for storage. Also, change the lower unit oil.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

Yeah I never understood how Seafoam could be used for decarbing and needed to be run out of the engine after sitting for 15 minutes, but then can also be used as a fogging oil and left in for months.

As mentioned go with real fogging oil.

As far as treating the gas, I would reccomend using Star Tron, so that you treat the Ethanol in the gas also. Let the treated gas run through the engine for 10-15 minutes and then fog it after the treated gas has had time to get through your carbs.

Don't drain the carbs, this will leave them with a little bit of gas in them which will varnish up over the winter, you never get all the gas out of them, don't run it out of gas either.

After you stall it out with fogging oil, pump the bulb back up and leave your carbs full of treated gas.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

Let's get some terminology straight here. Fogging oil and fuel stabilizer perform two very different functions. Fogging oil is sprayed into the carbs on a running engine to lubricate the crankcase and upper cylinder areas of the engine. It does not pass through the fuel system. Fuel stabilizer is added to fuel so it can pass into the internals of the carburetor or injectors (if the engine has them). Fuel stabilizer prevents the formation of gum and varnish in the fuel system and keeps the fuel from breaking down during long term storage. Two requirements require two separate treatments. They are not related.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

Hey there Murph make sure you store the motor in the down position if you leave it on the boat outside. It will allow all the water to stay drained.

 

[rainman99]

Re: Winterizing Confusion

Is it recomened to cover lower unit to keep out snow & freezing rain?

Rainman