WINTERIZING

[SWAINDE]

IAM WINTERIZING MY OUTBOARD (125 FORCE)I THOUGHT THEY WERE BASICALLY SELF DRAINING,AS FAR AS THE COOLING WATER IS CONCERNED. EVERY TIME I OPERATE THE TILT UP AND DOWN WHILE SERVICING THE ENGINE, I GET ANOTHER SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER OUT OF IT.IS THIS NORMAL?<br />WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE FREEZING NIGHT, THAT CAUGHT US OFF GAURD.WITH WHATEVER SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER WAS LEFT, DID THIS CAUSE ANY DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THANKS

 

[TONY H]

Re: WINTERIZING

It wasn't a hard freeze so I would say you didn't have a problem. When I winterize my motor (175Hp), I put a 'Y' on my garden hose and just before I turn the engine off I switch the 'Y' to turn off the fresh water and I pour a Gallon of used antifreeze in the second hose, I watch the Pee water until it shows green then I shut the engine down. I figure that if there is a water pocket, it has a better chance of being OK. The anti freeze also helps as a rust preventative. Since I have several cars, used antifreeze is easy to come by I change anti freeze every other year so one of the cars are always giving me a fresh supply of 'good' used antifreeze for the boat.<br />I never heard of anyone doing this ...I do it anyway.

 

[SWAINDE]

Re: WINTERIZING

BEFORE I FINALLY PUT IT TO BED FOR THE WINTER,DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY INPUT?<br />THANKS TONY FOR YOUR REPLY.

 

[mako]

Re: WINTERIZING

I live in RI and we get some pretty good winter weather. I've owned several outboards and never put anti freeze through them (though it surely wont hurt). I've always stabalized the fuel and ran it through the motor. Then fog the motor by spraying it through the air intake with the motor running and shut it right down. Then remove plugs one at a time and give each cylinder a shot of fogger and then crank motor for a second. Spray the linkage with WD-40 and spray the entire block with a thin coat, spray all metal parts. Drain the lower gear lube and replace. Store the battery indoors and keep the boat covered. Come spring you will be in fine shape and on the water in no time.

 

[Admin5]

Re: WINTERIZING

Hi Swainde,<br /><br />We have just created a new site within the iboats.com family that deals with all the major issues and components including winterization. Take a look everyone and let us know if this site helps search all of our repair topics. www.outboardrepairs.com Good luck on getting the boat ready for winter and please check out all the winterization products on the Marine MegaMall