Storing Tohatsu 50 HP 4-stroke outside in winter

[Westcoaster888]

I'm getting ready to winterize, and I wonder how my 2016 MFS 50A engine will hold up outside. There will be quite a few days below freezing here on my part of Vancouver Island. I have no garage, only a canopy, and the engine is staying on the boat. After winterizing it, is it OK to just leave the engine uncovered? The rest of the boat will under a snap-on cover.

Thanks

Paul

 

[km1125]

If it was me, I'd cover it. No sense in having the elements get to it and weather the paint, rubber or add to any corrosion. I'd spray everything down with something like WD-40, then cover it with anything... old tarp, large garbage bag or sheet of plastic and tape or rope it down.

 

[Westcoaster888]

Thanks km1125. That's definitely an option. I want to make sure any kind of wrap doesn't become a humidity/condensation trap.

 

[82rude]

I go to home depot and get those contractor garbage bags that can hold a body.Not sure if your toh is like my etec but 75 percent is plastic type material so I don't spray it atall just wax good.My motor sits outside in -40 weather How longs winter on the island?From 6 till ten on dec 3rd,lol.

 

[Sea Rider]

Run carb dry or unscrew bowl's screw to let fuel out from each carb..

Happy Boating

 

[Westcoaster888]

Thanks for the advice on the body bag and the carbs. Dec 3, eh, 82rude? Ha! You're right, we get off lightly here, but there can be 10-day stretches where the temperature goes sub-zero.I had a jet pump split on me a few winters ago because I put back the top and bottom plugs after thinking I'd drained it completely. Lesson learned.

 

[Westcoaster888]

One more thing, if nobody minds. The Tohatsu manual says to change the engine and gear oil before storing the engine. But if it's just going to sit there all winter - after the the fuel system has been serviced - why not wait till Spring to change the engine oil? I can see that it might be a good idea to change the gear oil in the Fall to see if there's any water in there, but I'd be interested in hearing opinions on the engine oil question. Thanks.

 

[km1125]

It is definitely better to change at the end of the season. As you mention, for the lower unit it also allows you to make sure no water has migrated inside there that could freeze.

Any oil that's been run for a bit has some contamination. You can get it from moisture and also from the fuel. When this contaminated oil is allowed to sit in bearing and gear surfaces it has a tendency to cause micro pitting which will cause an accelerated wear over time. If you change at the end of the season, you wipe out most of those contaminants. Fresh oil sitting in there will not deteriorate over the winter at all so in the spring you are ready to go.

 

[ondarvr]

The motor doesn't care what the temperature is, it can sit out there all winter below zero with no issues. changing the oil is a good idea.

 

[Westcoaster888]

Thanks again. What a great forum for guys like me just getting started with outboards.