Winterizing an Outboard

[rondef]

OK guys, this is my first year as a boat owner and I am curious about what it take to winterize the outboard motor (25hp 2 stroke).  I have already got the gass and water out of the motor by disconnecting the gas line and running the motor until it ran out of gas.  What else do I need to do?  My gas tank is removable and I will use the gas for the lawn mower and snowblower so I don't need to worry about gas stabilizer.  Do I have to do anything to protect the cylinders?  If so what products do I need and where can I buy them and how do you use them?  Do I need to run antifreeze through the motor.  I already disconnected the batteries (trolling motor and outboard).  I also need to drain the water trapped in the live well pump.  The cost to have it done at the local boat shop is $150.  I am just wondering if I should just do the work myself and save some money for fishing gear.  Thanks for any help you can provide.

[moloch16]

If you have the operator's manual for the motor see what that says.  One thing you need to do is spray some fogging oil in the cylinders to protect them from rust.

A quick google search turned up this interesting link:

http://www.classicglastron.com/gl-outboard-winterizing.htm

I have a 9.9 which I store in the garage.  I plan to just start run it once a month during the off season to keep things lubricated.

[rondef]

Thanks for the link, this should be helpful.

[luckyinkentucky]

Always run a fuel stabilizer in your engine before disconnecting the line.  It doesn't matter if you run the engine out of fuel .... varnish can still form in the engine.  You need to run fuel stabilizer, and then run an engine 'fogging oil' in it until the engine dies.  I have a Schreader valve on my fuel vacuum pump that looks like an inner tube valve stem.  I assume you have a Below 90hp engine since you run on a removable tank.  In this case you can spray the engine through the carbs while running, in the sparkplug holes, and mix the fogging oil with your fuel/stabilizer mix, and run for 5 minutes.  Then, turn it off, spray more in the spark plug holes, turn the flywheel 4 or 5 times, and replace the plugs.  Store it in an 'operating' or non-tilted position.  Just like it would be if you were on the water and running it.  Never store an engine tilted.  

Another thing ... if you are storing your boat outside you need to tilt the front up about an extra foot for winter storage.  You can do this by adding a concrete block under the jack and jacking it up all the way.  This allows any water that collects in the bilge to flow out without collecting there all winter.  

[HPBB]

you need to **** the motor and the stabilizer is not just for the gas you don't use, but the gas that stays in the motor. Just cause you run it out of gas does not me that all the gas is gone. gas stays in the carbs and this is where the stabilizer is needed. if you don't stablize it it could gum up on you and then your in troble. you need to run stabilizer through it even if you run it out of gas. The you also need to fogg the motor

PS starting the motor every month or so does nothing to lube it, If you stabilize it and fog it it will be fine for along time,

[Long Mike]

I would recommend to any and all that you start using a gasoline additive called StarTron with every fill-up.  It's an enzyme-based product that continually eats away at the bad stuff in your tanks and carbs.  Plus, it keeps your gas stable for a year or more.  I was introduced to it by a friend, and it seems as if my motor runs better every time I take it on the water.

[Cajun1977]

I would recommend to any and all that you start using a gasoline additive called StarTron with every fill-up. It's an enzyme-based product that continually eats away at the bad stuff in your tanks and carbs. Plus, it keeps your gas stable for a year or more. I was introduced to it by a friend, and it seems as if my motor runs better every time I take it on the water.

 depending on the motor of course...yammies use seafoam and my merc is preferred to something else. i would suggest using what the manufacturer recommends.

[Bud]

   ...yammies use seafoam and my merc is preferred to something else. i would suggest using what the manufacturer recommends                

You can use SeaFoam in any gas or diesel engine.  I use it year around in my outboard.

[Glenn]

Perhaps of interest:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Winter_boat.html