Winterizing the motor

[Pop-R]

Hey guys,
I have a 1989 150 Evinrude and I keep hearing different things about how to winterize it. I did add stabilizer to the fuel. I've been told that all the water will gravity drain out of the block. I questioned wether or not I needed to run some antifreeze through it. Is there any kind of drain or anything else I need to do. I'm going to have to move it outside for a while.

 

[Bubbakat]

Pull the plugs and squirt some TCW-3 oil inside an roll the motor over by hand to oil the walls up a little for winter layup, also take and change the lower unit oil and replace those little nylon gaskets located behind the fill and drain screws. This is to make sure there is no water in it to freeze. I take the lower brass plug out of my carbs and drain the carbs on mine.

 

[finbully]

Change your lower unit oil before storage to ensure there is no water inside - this is critical for winter long storage.

You are correct that the water will drain out of the block, make sure you drain the water with the engine trimmed both up and down, store in the down position.

I like to place a block of wood under the skeg to take some weight off of the trim rams.

Good idea to remove the prop and grease the output shaft splines.

Grease any other zerks too.

Adding the gas stabilizer is the right thing to do also. Be sure you run some stabilizer treated gas through the engine.

Good idea to fill the fuel tank to reduce condensation, or drain completely.

If you will not use it for more than a month, get some fogging oil and with the engine running (connected to a water supply) spray the fogging oil into the intake until the engine is about to stall. Turn it of. Remove each spark plug and give each cylinder a shot of the fogging oil and re-insert the plugs.

I also suggest covering the motor to prevent birds from making nests in the cowling next spring.

Remove your battery (or batteries) and store where they cannot freeze. Put a charge on them once a month.

If you do all of the above, you will have an easy start in the spring. It will smoke quite a bit due to the fogging oil- but no worry it is fine and normal after fogging.

The enemies here are corrosion and freezing, these steps prevent both.

 

[Pointer 78]

Seems like a whole lotta work. Easier to fish through the winter.

 

[honkytonker26]

What if I fish through the winter. This is what i do. Please tell me if you may know a few more tricks.
When I pull my boat out of the water, I lower the motor and let it drain out completly.
Take the plug out
I leave my onboard charger pluged in all the time so I'm pretty sure the batteries won't freeze.
i usually fire the motor up before I pull it to the lake just to make sure I'm good.

 

[JDK]

Pointer 78 - 11/24/2008 9:56 PM

Seems like a whole lotta work. Easier to fish through the winter.

yup thats my method of winterizing LOL...I just make sure to drop the motor and make sure there is no water left in it to freeze and i have always been good

 

[finbully]

I don't do all of that stuff either - I fish through the winter.

I would still change the lower unit oil if storing outdoors, even if fishing through the winter.

 

[Pop-R]

Thanks for all the imput. I do continue fishing through the winter I have just always went with my buddies who keep their boats inside. I will use mine if draining the water each time is all I have to make sure of. I'm still in the process of changeing out the carpet in mine. The front and middle of the boat were a breeze but all of those lids in the back have me wondering why I didn't have this done by some one who knows what they were doing. lol

 

[TR20bh]

Pop-R - 11/25/2008 6:53 AM

Thanks for all the imput. I do continue fishing through the winter I have just always went with my buddies who keep their boats inside. I will use mine if draining the water each time is all I have to make sure of. I'm still in the process of changeing out the carpet in mine. The front and middle of the boat were a breeze but all of those lids in the back have me wondering why I didn't have this done by some one who knows what they were doing. lol

Speaking of re-carpeting, do any of you guys know someone who does a good job at a reasonable price?