Learn How To Winterize Outboard Motors To Avoid Failure

If you don’t winterize your outboard motor, you could seriously damage your engine by the time Spring comes along. The harsh winters we have in Manitoba can cause rust, gunk, and cracking in your engine. Learn how to winterize outboard motors, and you’ll be ready to go when the warmer weather returns.

It only takes a few days of below-freezing temperatures without a significant warm-up for your engine to be at risk of freeze damage. Don’t take the chance that your outboard won’t freeze.

You don’t have to use overpriced winterizing packages at your local boat dealer. Following some simple steps will give you the tools and skills you need. Once you’ve learned what to do and how to do it, you can get your engine ready for the winter, and you won’t get costly repair bills in the Spring.

Read through this guide to learn how to winterize your engine. We’ll take you step-by-step through the process with easy-to-follow instructions. You’ll save yourself money by not having a marina winterize your outboard motor.

Check Your Owner’s Manual

Make sure you read through the outboard owner’s manual. Each engine manufacturer has specific things that need to be done in addition (or slightly differently) to this general guide. If you read the manual and this guide and you don’t feel confident, take your motor to a marina.

Preparation

First things first. Start by cleaning your boat, inside and out. Make sure you have fogging oil, fuel stabilizer, and the replacement filters you’ll need.

Flush the Engine

Use either a flushing attachment or submerge the prop past the water intake vents in a large tank of clean water. Run the motor for a short while then disconnect the fuel line. Run the engine until it runs out of gas.

While the motor is still running, fog the carburetor. The oil will coat and protect the carburetor and cylinders.

Once it has stopped, there will be no fuel in the system. This way, you’ll avoid freeze damage to your engine, and you’ll prevent blockages building up in lines over the winter.

Oil Change

You’ll need to drain the oil and lubricant. These are in two separate places.

To drain the oil, place an oil pan below the outboard motor. Trim or lift the engine to its highest setting. Next, disconnect the drain plug.

Lower the motor so that the oil can start flowing. You can use a piece of plastic pipe to direct the oil into the pan if you like.

With the engine still trimmed down, remove the gearcase drain plug to let the old lubricant drain out.

The final step is to replace the filter. Take care not to knock the oil sensor. Lightly lubricate the replacement filter’s rubber edges to make sure you get a good seal.

Each outboard motor has slightly different locations for the oil and lubricant drain points. Make sure you check your owner’s manual to find the right spots.

Finally, fill the oil well with new oil and lubricant. Choose the right oil and lubricant for your motor according to manufacturer specifications.

Lubrication is an Important Part of How to Winterize Outboard Motors

Make sure you are using your fogging oil throughout the process. It’s better to overuse fogging oil and other lubricants than to underuse them. At each stage of the winterization process, fog the component parts.

You can fog the carburetor, the spark plug holes, pivots and gears, and the propellor shaft. Proper lubrication of moving parts of the motor will ensure your engine works better when you crank it back up in the Spring.

The Fuel Tank

When you’re learning about how to winterize outboard motors, remember the fuel tank. Old fuel can cause serious problems. A half-filled fuel tank can also damage your engine over the winter.

The best option is to drain your fuel tank completely. If that isn’t possible, it’s better to fill it with new fuel to about 95 percent full.

With a full tank, you will need to add a fuel stabilizer. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how much to add.

A partly-filled fuel tank will get water in it from condensation or leakage. Water in your fuel will lead to separation of the ethanol and problems in the Spring when you try to start it back up.

For the last step on the fuel tank, replace the fuel filter.

Storage

When you have completed these steps, wash and dry and outboard motor. If your motor is attached to your boat, trim it all the way down. If you detach your outboard form your boat, make sure you store the engine upright in a dry location.

For the best possible storage, consider shrink-wrapping your boat. If you do this, you’ll protect the hull, cockpit, and engine. It can be expensive, so you might not want to do it, especially if you have a covered area that you can store the boat under.

Learning How to Winterize Outboard Motors Will Protect Your Engine

Taking the time to learn how to winterize outboard motors is an excellent step to being a better boat owner. You will save yourself a lot of money, and you’ll also know the job is done to your standard.

At the same time, winterizing your outboard can be tricky. If you’re not sure about doing these procedures, then talk to experts. We have a great team of knowledgable staff and also offer a boat winterization service if you want to take the hassle out of it and make sure it’s done correctly the first time.

We offer a range of winterization services, repairs, and parts. If you winterize your engine but can’t or don’t want to shrink wrap your boat yourself, we can help you out.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about our full-service options or ask questions about how to winterize outboard motors. We’re ready to take your call or welcome you when you come to our location.