Winterizing best practices

[IDFISHER]

With winter fast approaching here in the Rocky Mountains, I thought I would get some opinions on best practices when winterizing. I'd love to hear your thoughts on which method is best for a 6 month storage.

Constants -
- Fuel stabilizer added
- Fogging oil with schrader valve attachment on hand
- Run the motor for 10+ minutes to fully circulate treated fuel

Option 1 - Fog until the motor dies and don't touch the fuel system?
Option 2 - Fog until the motor dies and then drain the carb bowls?
Option 3 - Disconnect the fuel line and fog as the motor is running out of fuel to leave the entire fuel system void of gas?

 

[racerone]

Option #3 is the best one.

 

[Scott Danforth]

option #4 - move to a warmer climate and boat year 'round

however agree with racerone - option 3 is the best that you have posted

 

[Chris1956]

I never run carbs dry on multi-cylinder 2 cycle OB motor. When you do, some cylinders do not get fuel or oil. Fuel stabilizer will protect carbs from gumming up over the winter.

So Option 1

 

[flyingscott]

Option #3 is the best one. Multi cylinder 2 strk outboards are fine running out of fuel. I don;t know how that myth started but if it was true there would be a lot of dead outboards out there. What happens to the motors that run out of gas multiple times because people forgot to switch tanks.

 

[racerone]

Never saw a warning on a fuel tank saying ----" DO NOT RUN EMPTY " ever.-----Never saw a warning in a manual.------Never saw a portable fuel tank with a sensor or alarm either.------Just more proof that lubrication inside a 2 stroke engine is not well understood !-----Option # 3 is the best.

 

[oldboat1]

I'll vote for #3. It also doesn't hurt to drain the bowls as a final step if there is any gas left -- doesn't take much to cause problems if it turns to varnish. But that probably applies to longer term storage (more than over a winter).

I have been storing a dozen or so motors in the upstairs floor of my shop (unheated up there). I use a marine bilge heater, tenting in the motors. The smart thing would be to just sell or give away the motors I don't use, but not ready yet to let them go.

 

[Chris1956]

OK, so how many of you have had a 2 cycle multi cylinder outboard get damaged when one of the carbs clogged, while it was running and that clogged carb did not supply fuel (and oil), to a cylinder? These forums are full of those stories.

Will that happen at idle, when winterizing? Probably not. However, IMO (and years of experience), running the carbs dry does not give an additional benefit, as the fuel stabilizer keeps the fuel from becoming varnish. So, if no additional benefit, why do it?

 

[racerone]

Oil does not magically disappear from cylinder walls and bearings when dry air is going through the crankcase for 10 / 15 seconds.---And there is no longer any heat / work done in those cylinders.--Running for hours with a clogged carburetor is a totally different story !

 

[Crosbyman]

I have this personal feeling that a carb full of conditioned fuel…. will keep air out (most of it anyway ) and prevent puddled fuel from drying up in the carb lower half to make a film on the carb bottom .

at minus temps the fuel isn't likely to evaporate much during storage and just for peace of mind ... I squirt storage foam
inside the cylinders and rotate a few times to spread it all over .

just store motor upright to keep the fuel in the carb, drain the gearcase and refill will new oil and...run a pipe cleaner in the small hole (if any) to drain any water stuck in lower cavities.


never had any issues in 50+years of boating

 

[IDFISHER]

LOL, so what I'm hearing here (which jives with most everything else I've read on the subject) is that pretty much no matter what you do to winterize, you'll be totally fine come spring time

Maybe the better question should have been: What winterization method is a sure fire way to have issues in the spring?

 

[Bosunsmate]

Put peanut butter in it to attract rats and you will have issues

 

[IDFISHER]

Put peanut butter in it to attract rats and you will have issues

Well NOW you tell me! Guess I have some cleaning to do.

 

[Crosbyman]

or keep the traps loaded around the engine ...

 

[oldboat1]

A red squirrel invading the cabin:

 

[Rick.]

Option 3 would get my vote. Also, you should check the gear case for water intrusion.