#WINTERIZING INBOARD OUTBOARD ENGINE HOW TO#
#WINTERIZING INBOARD OUTBOARD ENGINE FULL#

Next spray it with fogging oil to prevent rusting.Įmpty the gas tank: You can either empty the gas tank completely or fill it almost full and add a stabilizer.Īdd fogging lubricants: A thin layer of lubricant helps prevent against corrosion or the bearings, seals and rotating surfaces. Run the engine first to ensure any contaminants are picked up in the oil.Ĭhange the oil in the gear case: For the same reasons you’ll want to change the oil in the gear case and replace the seals on the drain plugs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing an Outboard Motor Engineįlush the motor with fresh water: The engine needs to be flushed thoroughly according to manufacturer’s instructions – either by running it in clean, fresh water or by adding a hose that can flush without the engine on.ĭrain and replace the engine oil and filter: Flush out and change the oil (for four-stroke outboards) and the lower unit gear lube (for all outboards). If that isn’t possible, the best alternative is to fill the fuel tank almost to the top and add a stabilizer which prevents oxidization.ĭrain the Water from the Engine and/or Use Antifreeze: This is the most important step in winterizing a boat motor, and varies depending on whether you have an inboard or outboard motor. One way to overcome this is to empty all the gas from the fuel tank as part of the winterizing process. Once you’ve changed them, run the motor for a few minutes to circulate the new oil throughout all the parts.Ĭhange the Fuel Filter and Stabilize the Fuel: Over winter the ethanol in gasoline can absorb water and cause it to separate from the gas, causing corrosion in the fuel tank. There are three main steps for winterizing all boat motors:Ĭhange the Oil and Oil Filter: Impurities and moisture in the motor’s oil can cause damage over the winter, so an important step is changing the oil and filter. While it might seem at first like a lot of work, winterizing your boat isn’t complicated, and it’ll keep your motor healthier for longer.

Water in general, as well as high humidity levels in winter months, can cause corrosion to parts of the motor. However it isn’t just freezing water that causes damage. As this freezing and thawing action occurs multiple times over the winter, this can make the problem even worse. When a motor isn’t winterized, water may be left in certain parts which, when temperatures drop below zero, can freeze and expand, creating pressure on those parts of the motor. To protect your boat’s motor during the colder winter months there are some steps you’ll need to take to ensure that the damaging effects of water won’t ruin arguably the most expensive part of your boat. How Can I Winterize My Boat in an Eco-Friendly Way?.What is the difference between coolant and antifreeze?.Should I drain the antifreeze after winterizing my boat?.Step-by-step guide to winterizing an inboard motor engine.Step-by-step guide to winterizing an outboard motor engine.Here we take a closer look at the steps you need to take to winterize a boat engine:

#WINTERIZING INBOARD OUTBOARD ENGINE HOW TO#

In a previous guide we looked at how to winterize your boat in general, from cleaning it thoroughly, to draining all the systems, covering it and preparing the engine for winter. While the extent to which you need to winterize your boat depends of the severity of the conditions where you live, there are some basics to getting a boat ready for winter that everyone will need to consider. Winterizing a boat involves protecting it from the effects of water damage, either from mold growth or through the damaging effects of freezing water. We’ve dragged out as many glorious days boating as we possibly can and it’s now time to reluctantly tuck her up until the spring.

For many boaters in the northern hemisphere there comes a time in the fall when we have to admit that it’s time to winterize our boat.

Winterizing inboard outboard engine