If you want your engine to start in the spring and last you many years and plan on not using your engine all winter, you do have to winterize an outboard motor. Winterizing the engine helps to prevent damage during disuse, which is the chief cause for engine failure. Failing to winterize may lead to complications.
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.
Do I really need to winterize my boat?
Winterizing a boat is an essential process unless you plan to make necessary repairs to your boat come springtime. If you do not winterize your boat, any water droplets left could freeze, expand, and crack the components they were in. This could cause anything from blowing off a hose to completely ruining your engine.
Do 2 stroke outboard motors need to be winterized?
Winterizing a 2-Stroke Outboard Motor
Regardless of the season, you should winterize your outboard anytime it isn’t going to be used for more than a month.
How long can a boat sit without being winterized?
The rule of thumb we use is 2-3 days of consectutive freezing temperatures, day and night, and you are in trouble unless you winterized. For example, the past 2 nights here have hit freezing though the daytime temp is 50+ degrees so no worries. Yes, the boat being in the water does help, a lot.
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.
What happens if you forget to winterize a boat?
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.
Will 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.
How do you winterize a 4 stroke Johnson outboard motor?
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.
At what temperature will a boat motor freeze?
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.
Is it hard to winterize a boat?
Winterizing is more than just sloshing in some fuel stabilizer, draining the engine, and adding antifreeze. Consider it to be a methodical process that runs from bow to transom. Because boats and engines differ, start by checking the winterizing/storage sections of your owner’s manual.
How do you winterize a 2 stroke outboard?
For 2 stroke engines, while the engine is idling, spray fogging oil into the carburettor. This will coat the inside of the engine in a protective film of oil and will help to protect parts such as the big ends.
How do you winterize a small 2 stroke outboard motor?
Fog the Engine
- Remove the engine cover and find the carburetor’s air intake port.
- With the engine running, spray a small amount of fogging oil into the intake. The engine will want to die, but keep it running by opening the throttle.
- Continue to fog the engine until it dies.
Is it OK to start an outboard motor out of water?
Starting a boat without water is not recommended. Most outboard and inboard engines use impellers (rubber pumps) to run water to the boat’s cooling system. Without water to cool off and lubricate, the impeller will heat up super fast and possibly damage.
How often should you start your outboard motor?
In order to keep the motor running smoothly, you need to use it occasionally instead of twice a week or three times a month. In addition, it will run even better as it gets used more and more frequently. A car’s parts go bad sooner if it’s idled out at the marina or in an area that is often used too frequently.
How do I Dewinterize my boat?
Dewinterizing Your Boat: 12 Steps for Your Spring Boat Inspection
- Remove the Boat Cover and Inspect for Critter Hibernation.
- Clean All Canvas, Vinyl and Carpeting.
- Check the Engine & Propeller.
- Check Cooling System & Replace Antifreeze.
- Replace Battery.
- Check for Damage.
- Polish and Wax.
- Attach Electronics.
How do you store an outboard motor for the winter?
The best way is to either leave the motor on the boat or on an engine stand in an upright position, not tilted. If neither of these are an option, try to make sure that the engine is in an upright, self-draining position. If you can’t do this, be sure that the cooling system is drained completely.
How much does it cost to winterize a 4 stroke outboard motor?
If you winterize your boat yourself, it will cost you about $250. This price includes the cost of winterizing the engine, the other systems of your boat, and cleaning it, stem to stern, inside and out. However, if you have the work done at a boatyard, expect to spend $500 up.
How much does it cost to winterize a 24 foot boat?
Your vessel is an investment so you’re obliged to take care of it in the cold season. But, how much does it cost to winterize a boat? The average price when professionals do it for you is $300. You may spend $150 on a smaller boat and a whopping $500 for larger ones!
Should I Fog my 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 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.
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