Winterizing

vaccfam

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 13, 2003
Messages
48
I live in PA and this is my first season with a boat and outboard. I am going to keep my outboard ('83 merc 9.8) on a stand I built in the basement. What should I do before I store it until April? Should I do anything to it over the winter? And, what should I do before I take it out in April and hang it on my Mac 25?<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />Mike
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: Winterizing

Hi Mike.<br /><br />Always a good idea to fog an engine before lay up even if yer keeping it in the basement. <br /><br />Add stabilizer to the gas to keep it sweet.<br /><br />To get it ready, just run the engine in a garbage can full of water and start shooting the fog into the throat of the carb. Follow the instructions on the can.<br /><br />Drain the lower unit lube check for water. If none, refill with fresh lube.<br /><br />Some guys will decarb the engine before fogging which is a good idea. Not hard. Just a matter of bringing the engine to temp., shooting the decarb in the throat of the carb. Let it set as per instructions on the can. Run again to remove decarb and carbon then fog.<br /><br />Next season, all ya need to do is start her up and blow out the fogging oil and you should be ready to go.
 

vaccfam

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 13, 2003
Messages
48
Re: Winterizing

Thank you for all of the information. I am not familar with fogging. Is there a particular product that is better than another? (I can then follow the directions on the product.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mike
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Re: Winterizing

You can also take the plugs out and pour in some marvel mystery oil and crank motor to get oil all over the pistons and put plugs back in.Virtually the same as fogging except fogging is a spray that goes in through the carb as the motor is running.The fogging method is probably more thorough,but sometimes it is too cold out to run the motor,so the marvel way is ok. charlie
 

sloopy

Commander
Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
2,999
Re: Winterizing

Remember to clean and re-gap the spark plugs. You should also grease all grease points with MArine grease. Your MacGregor's turnbuckles, centerboard winch and mast step could use some grease. DO not use MARINE grease on Halyard/sheet winches.
 

sloopy

Commander
Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
2,999
Re: Winterizing

By the way; Are you on the Sailnet.com MacGregor email list? did you have an outboard stolen 3 months ago and buy a Briggs and stratton?
 

vaccfam

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 13, 2003
Messages
48
Re: Winterizing

Sloopy...I am on the sail.net list but my outboard was not stolen. I still have the original "83 merc 9.8 that came with the boat. Thanks for the valuable info.<br /><br />Mike
 
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