Quick Answer: How To Winterize A 4 Stroke Outboard Motor

Table of Contents

Winterizing Your Outboard Motor Drain the crankcase oil (Four-stroke motors) Install a new oil filter (Four-stroke motors) Filling the crankcase with new oil (Four-stroke motors) Changing the lower unit gear oil. Stabilizing the fuel. Flushing the outboard with antifreeze. Fogging the cylinders.

Does a 4 stroke outboard need to be winterized?

Like inboards and sterndrives, outboard engines are also subject to potential damage from freezing and from being laid up in disuse for months at a time. So outboards demand winterizing too. To serve as our example, we used a Yamaha F150 four-cylinder outboard.

Do you need to fog a 4 stroke outboard?

Fog the Engine Ideally while the motor is still warm, treat four-stroke and conventional two-stroke engines with fogging oil to prevent corrosion within the engine.

Do you need to run antifreeze through outboard motor?

You do not need to run antifreeze through an outboard, period. They’re designed to drain completely in the tilted-down position, and do not need an ounce of antifreeze.

How do I winterize my outboard motor?

How do you de winterize an outboard motor?

How to De-winterize Your Boat Take the Tarp Off. Before you do anything, you need to get the tarp or covering off your boat. Check the Engine. Refill the Cooling System. Check Water Pumps and Thermostats. Check Cables and Hoses. Check Your Battery. Clean the Distributor. Check the Fuel System.

Should I leave my outboard motor up or down?

You want to leave the engine in the totally trimmed down position. This will allow all of the water to leak out of the engine, midsection, and lower unit. Making sure that there is not any water in the Lower Unit that could rust gears or freeze and destroy the gear case by flushing the engine with fresh water.

Do I need to winterize my boat if I keep it in the garage?

Of course, as BOATUS states, the best winter storage space for your boat is “indoors, in a climate‑controlled facility with a backup generator.” This means that you need control over the temperature in your garage. A good garage door that seals out the cold will help keep your boat safe over the winter.

Is fogging a boat motor necessary?

Fogging a boat engine is an essential part of the winterizing process. If you’re putting your boat into long-term storage, fogging the outboard motor is vital. You’ll spray it into the carburetors and spark plugs (carefully) so that the oil can coat every part of the motor.

How much does it cost to winterize an outboard motor?

If you bring your boat to a shop to have it winterized, you can expect to pay between $300 and $400.

Do you have to winterize a 4 stroke Yamaha outboard motor?

Many Yamaha outboard motor owners live in climates where they are taken out of service for the winter months, which means winterizing their outboards is a must. It ensures safe boating in the spring, and also helps to keep your outboard(s) performing well.

Is it OK to store an outboard motor on its side?

It’s almost never a good idea to lay an outboard motor down on its side or back. Mercury Marine recommends upright storage to allow the water to drain from the motor, but Mercury also says that a motor may be stored on its side after the water has drained completely.

Can you store an outboard motor lying down?

When you are storing a boat motor, you can never lay it on its side because you can possibly damage it or because of how fuel may end up leaking all over the place if you leave it lying on its side for prolonged periods of time.

Should you cover outboard motor for winter?

During the course of the winter there will be cold days and warmer days, the sun may shine on your motor, and the air under the cowl will need to breath. Bonus tip: Before laying up the motor spray down the powerhead with a water-displacer like WD-40. Then secure the cowl but don’t cover it.

How cold does it have to be before winterizing a boat?

Unwinterized boat engines can freeze any time the air temperature is below 28°F (-2°C) – for an extended period. Freshwater cooled engines without proper coolant can freeze below 32°F (0°C). The good news is you can prevent freeze damage fairly easily.

What happens if you don’t winterize your outboard motor?

If You Don’t Winterize Your Boat, Here’s What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it’s trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines. Fuels break down or grow dirty.

Can an outboard motor freeze?

A very popular question asked by a concerned boat owner, (mainly outboard motorboats) is Will A Boat Motor Freeze? The simple answer is yes. If the temperature is low enough, it can freeze. Water, oil and other engine related lubrication coupled with freezing temperatures is the main culprit for freezing a boat motor.