TOPIC: Winterization?

If I was to leave the old merc on the boat over winter, other than draining the lower unit and making sure there was no fuel in the carbs, then fogging the cylinders, what else? For what it's worth, I run with full synthetic oil and Stabil Marine ethanol treatment.

By the way, I also have power trim and hydraulic steering...

Thanks!

Frank

That is all you need to do , but drain AND refill the lower unit.

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Any water in the oil and it is a good time for new seals.

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Water intrusion is not accepted.

Thanks professor, will do. This LU had all new seals before the 2010 season, so I'm guessing it's okay. We'll see. Thanks!

Frank

Frank, remember to have the engine vertical when you store it. If there is any water it will drain. Also, if you park it tilted up you will collect water in the lower unit casing, which can freeze and crack the lower end.

Thanks Dave. Once it's parked for the season, down comes the merc!

Frank

Fogging the motor is critical. I just rebuilt a little Johnrude 8hp that had probably never been winterized properly. Needed new bearings, rods, crankshaft, and seals. The crankshaft had about 1/8-inch side-to-side play at the top bearing where the bearing had worn away the crankshaft. All of the other bearing surfaces were severely chatter-marked, too. Most likely due to condensation forming on bearing surfaces with little or no oil left on them during storage, then being run with those now rough metal-to-metal contact. Extreme wear results...

Putting a bit of oil in through the spark plug holes is good

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But the best way is to run the motor at a fast idle.---Disconnect fuel line and spray fogging oil into the carburetors till it runs out of fuel.

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This coats all internal parts / bearings / pistons / rings and cylinder walls.