Re: winterizing
Winterization should include a few items:
1. Stabilize your fuel after topping off your fuel tanks. If you can run the engine for 30 minutes or so afterwards it will ensure that the stabilzed fuel mixture makes its' way through the entire fuel system. With the shelf life of fuels today you should probably add stabilizer at each fuel up anyway.
2. Change all fuel filters and water separators. There should be a boat mounted water separator as well as the engine mounted fuel filter element. The engine filter has a small o ring in the top of it so make sure you don't forget to include the o ring in the new filter. It doesn't come with one.
3. Remove the air silencer and use a spray can style fogging oil to spray into all throttle bodies. Remember that the #1 cylinder also leads to the oxygen sensor so spray this cylinder lightly.
4. Replace the lower unit gear lube, replace the drain plug gaskets, grease the prop shaft, grease all fittings. There is a grease fitting in the lower unit hub as well. This is a great time to check the gear lube for water intrusion. If there is water in it you have the whole winter to have the repairs done, not in the spring when all dealerships are busy. If you store the boat somewhere where the is little security it may be a good idea to remove the prop and wait until spring to reinstall it.
5. Leave the lower unit trimmed all the way down. The outboard will self drain if left this way but if it is trimmed up water will collect in the lower unit hub and may freeze if you live in a frigid climate.
6. Fully charge, then disconnect your batteries. Fully charged batteries won't freeze and batteries that are clean will stay charged longer. If you can periodically trickle charge the batteries over the winter it would be even better.
7. Remove the hull plug and place in an obvious place at the helm so you don't forget in the spring.
