Re: winterizing
Pls provide the engine model/type. There are winterizing differences between old engines, the newer VRO types and now the fuel inject/direct inject models. For instance, the newer injected models have closed systems and don't suffer from evaporation like the older carbed models do, so running them out of gas is not really an issue. With the VRO models you dont want to run them out of gas because in doing so, you will fill the carbs with oil. Personally, I follow bgbass's recommendations on my old engines: run them out of gas while fogging. I go an extra step by draining the carb bowls by hand, along with my fuel tanks. I'd contact a local Merc dealer and see if you can get a copy of their 2007 bulletin regarding today's fuel quality and winterizing/storage recommendations. They talk about alcohol fuel phase separation and long-term storage problems. It will update your opinions on today's fuel and may change your winterizing procedures. When the engine shuts off for the year, there is a small amount of water trapped inside the water pump. If you give the engine flywheel one turn, it will clear the pump. This is generally not an issue, because if it does not normally leak out before it freezes, it can expand around the rubber impeller.
