10-23-2012, 08:38 AM
How to Winterize a Four-Stroke Outboard: Video
Senior Editor Lenny Rudow clears up the confusion
about how to winterize a four-stroke outboard. And here are some of our
other winterizing tips that cover fuel, diesels, and mistakes to avoid.
Four-stroke outboards are by far the most popular on the market. But
there’s a lot of confusion about how to properly winterize a
four-stroke. Let’s end it, right now.
1. Give the motor a good freshwater flush. In some cases you’ll need
set of earmuffs; in other cases, you can thread the hose right into the
outboard. Let the water flow for a good five or ten minutes.
Now that she’s flushed out we’re going to remove the cowl and rinse away any salt buildup that we find inside.
2. Change the lower unit oil. Even if it’s fresh you still want to
change it, just in case any water got in there, because water can freeze
and expand and cause serious damage. (Watch How to Change the Lower Unit Oil)
3. Since the introduction of ethanol, adding a fuel stabilizer for the winter is an absolute must.
4. Hook up the water again and run the motor for a good ten to fifteen minutes, to work the stabilized fuel through the motor.
5. Next, and this is very important: tilt the motor all the way up
and all the way down. You want to make absolutely sure that every drop
of water is out of the motor. Otherwise it could freeze and break
something.
6. Traditionally the next step is to fog the engine. But many tech
heads (myself included) believe it’s better just to start it every three
weeks or so. That way you don’t have to fog it.
Can that really be all there is to winterizing a four stroke? Wait a minute, what about… the antifreeze?
Since no water should remain in the engine, which is tilted down to
drain, you don’t need antifreeze—even though your mechanic might suggest
it as a way to give you another bill.
—Lenny Rudow
Read more: http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2...z2A8WmXF8i
We stole this one special thanks to —Lenny Rudow
Senior Editor Lenny Rudow clears up the confusion
about how to winterize a four-stroke outboard. And here are some of our
other winterizing tips that cover fuel, diesels, and mistakes to avoid.
Four-stroke outboards are by far the most popular on the market. But
there’s a lot of confusion about how to properly winterize a
four-stroke. Let’s end it, right now.
1. Give the motor a good freshwater flush. In some cases you’ll need
set of earmuffs; in other cases, you can thread the hose right into the
outboard. Let the water flow for a good five or ten minutes.
Now that she’s flushed out we’re going to remove the cowl and rinse away any salt buildup that we find inside.
2. Change the lower unit oil. Even if it’s fresh you still want to
change it, just in case any water got in there, because water can freeze
and expand and cause serious damage. (Watch How to Change the Lower Unit Oil)
3. Since the introduction of ethanol, adding a fuel stabilizer for the winter is an absolute must.
4. Hook up the water again and run the motor for a good ten to fifteen minutes, to work the stabilized fuel through the motor.
5. Next, and this is very important: tilt the motor all the way up
and all the way down. You want to make absolutely sure that every drop
of water is out of the motor. Otherwise it could freeze and break
something.
6. Traditionally the next step is to fog the engine. But many tech
heads (myself included) believe it’s better just to start it every three
weeks or so. That way you don’t have to fog it.
Can that really be all there is to winterizing a four stroke? Wait a minute, what about… the antifreeze?
Since no water should remain in the engine, which is tilted down to
drain, you don’t need antifreeze—even though your mechanic might suggest
it as a way to give you another bill.
—Lenny Rudow
Read more: http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2...z2A8WmXF8i
We stole this one special thanks to —Lenny Rudow