It's time to pull in the docks, rafts, lifts and boats for another season.
Step 7: Remove valuablesīoatyards receive little traffic in the winter, which makes break-ins easy.
#Winterizing inboard outboard engine manual
Check your owner’s manual to be sure you don’t miss any important areas that need to be greased before winter storage. Step 6: Grease and lubricateįind your engine’s grease fittings (most will be located in the steering mechanism area), then use a quality marine lubricant to protect against rust, corrosion and oxidation. If water comes out first, or if you see milky or lumpy oil, this is an indication your boat is experiencing moisture contamination and will need new seals before next season. When changing the gear oil, be sure to check for moisture. Step 5: Replace gear oilĭrain the lower unit of old gear oil and replace with a fresh supply. This type of product is specially formulated to penetrate deep into the engine and coat parts with a protective layer of anti-corrosive compound. To prevent these issues, use a fogging oil spray. This exposes internal engine components to harsh elements in winter and can lead to corrosion and metal-to-metal contact, called cylinder scuffing, come spring. While in storage, engine oil drains away. Step 4: Protect internal engine components In addition, gaskets can dry out and cause leaks in the spring.
Note that draining gasoline does not prevent varnish formation in engines since some fuel is always left behind. Simply run the engine for a few minutes to get treated gas throughout the system-either when your boat’s in the water or while using a fitting designed to run the engine with a garden hose. Then fill the tank with fresh fuel to prevent corrosion-causing water condensation. The easiest way to prevent these problems is by adding a high-quality marine fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel deterioration. This results in hard starting, poor performance and reduced engine life. Step 3: Stabilize fuelįuel can deteriorate in as little as 60 days, causing gum and varnish to build up in your engine. (Use water muffs or a similar device connected to a garden hose.) Flush for a few minutes. Then start the engine and clean the cooling system by flushing it with fresh water. You may also need to remove the water pump hose to drain remaining water.įor outboard engine maintenance: First, make sure all drain holes are open. These are usually located in the engine block and manifold. Then flush until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. (Never run a water engine without water).
To prevent damage from expanding water when it freezes, you must drain water from your engine.įor inboard and sterndrive engines: Flush the engine with clean water by using water muffs or a similar device to connect a garden hose to your cooling system. For 4-stroke outboard motors, change the oil and filter before storing for the winter. Then use high-quality oil and filters as recommended by your engine’s manufacturer. First warm up the engine, while in water, so more of the dirty oil will drain out and impurities will flush out more easily. Moisture and acids in old oil will pit bearings and other engine parts while in storage, so you need to drain it. Whether your boat has an outboard, gas inboard or stern drive engine, the following nine steps will assure quick, easy startups when the snow melts and warm weather returns come spring. Getting ready for winter? As you enjoy the season’s final weeks of sea and sunshine, start preparing to winterize your boat.
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