Winterizing deadline?

[4Winns258]

I live in michigan and just purchased a Starcraft boat 3 hours ago that has a 1996 mercury 115hp outboard. We ran the motor in a heated garage before I purchased it. The seller ran the fuel line into a gas can, so there is no gas in the tank right now. I have to store it outside for the winter and the forecast for the next few days is between 28-23 degrees. I've never winterized an outboard before and I was going to have it done by a mechanic, but with the weekend and the upcoming holiday, I probably won't be able to get ahold of anyone until Wednesday or so. How much time do I have until the temperature starts to damage the motor??

I'm pretty handy and read a few articles online about winterizing the motor and it didn't sound too difficult, but if time isn't of the essence, I'd rather have it professionally done for the first time until I get someone to show me how to do it. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Winterizing deadline?

You can get seafoam fogger spray at any autozone and the directions are on the can. Fill the cabs run the engine spraying fogger into the carb throats and then shut it down and empty the carbs through the drains. No need for antifreeze as there is no water in the outboard to freeze up. There maybe some more to it. but that will protect the internals of the engine. Covering the engine with a small blankie and then some plastic or a small tarp with a bungie cord will help protect the electrical componants. Be sure to run on muffs with water going thorugh the engine whenever running the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing deadline?

Put the motor down and allow all the water will drain out of it.

Cold weather alone will not hurt your motor.
Fogging oil is good but if you don't have time at the moment, you can do it the next time you get a chance.

Spray the engine with your favorite corrosion guard, but do not cover it with plastic or you will kill the air flow and really cause a condensation problem.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Winterizing deadline?

Drain and change the lower end lube. Done.
but do not cover it with plastic or you will kill the air flow and really cause a condensation problem. Yep. Yep

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Winterizing deadline?

Thanks for catching the blankie thing but I made a tarp cover that fits loosely to drape over the engine cowel and use bungi cords to wrap around the cowel center to keep the cover from blowing away. There is plenty of circulating air that gets under the engine cover. My old 1979 70 Merc has alot of them rubber strip type cowel seals that are not the best in the world and rain or snow melting (Not snow here in FL). can seep into the cowel and effect the componants.The tarp will also allow some air flow as well. I just thought that keeping a barrier on the top of the motor would be a good idea to help keep melting snow or rain in my case from deteriorating those seals.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Winterizing deadline?

Since it is a used motor, you have no idea how old the gear oil is, so change it to make sure there is no water in it. Everything else can be done or not done as is convenient.