winter is comming fast and I need help

[h2opdler]

I have a 1984 Mercury 40 hp OB. that I bought over the summer and since its my first boat and my complete lack of knowledge of how to maintain it. I need help getting it out away for winter. I live in Northern NY and we had our first freeze last night it got down to 28 degrees and I need to know what I need to do to prepare it for a long winter storage.
Any help will be appreciated.

Thank You in advance
JC

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: winter is comming fast and I need help

Put a water muff on the boat and get it running. Remove the fuel line and let it idle until it starts to stumble. Shoot some fogging oil in the carb(s) and let it stall.

Drain the lower unit and replace the grease. Throw new plugs in it, and you're ready for Spring. I believe in keeping the battery on a Battery Tender for long life.

Another issue is whether your water pump has been changed recently? And has your lower unit been pressure/vacuum tested to see if the seals are good? These are things you should check out on any used motor being purchased.

Buying lower units are really, really expensive. I ignored my Yamaha 115 hp 2 stroke lower unit, and it was toast this year (after 26 years.) I ended up buying a replacement boat--new Bennington tritoon and Yamaha 150 motor.

 

[Joeshow]

Re: winter is comming fast and I need help

Ya should spray some fogging oil in the spark plug holes. Crank the engine over a few rotations with ignition disabled (kill switch off). Be sure to store the engine in the operating position, keeps the water out. Last but not least, grease all grease nipples with marine grease.

 

[Fishin Magician]

Re: winter is comming fast and I need help

and or put it back in the water and use it a few more times........I'm in the middle of the ADK's and it was 60 plus here today...in fact it's 11:00 pm and I'm going out on the Hudson River RIGHT now for walleye (actually 15 min ).....fish on !

FM