Winterizing an I/O

[Chris Haley]

Being a fisherman, I've never done one of these. What needs to be done??

[Surface Tension]

Chris, Fill the gas tank(s) and treat with a fuel stabilizer. Run the engine with muffs on long enough for the treated gas to fill the carb. Pull the flame arrestor off the carb and fog according to the products instructions.

With the engine warm drain and replace the oil and replace the oil filter.

Replace the water/fuel separator. If you don't have a separator then replace the filter on the sediment bowl attached to the fuel pump. Replace the fuel filter on the carb

Drain the water from the engine block and risers. A manual is nice here to show all the drain plugs and petcocks.
Replace the drain plugs and close petcocks. This next step is optional, fill the block and risers with anti freeze. This will protect metal parts from corrosion and keep any trapped pockets of water from freezing.

Drain the lower unit and replace the oil.

The drive should be pulled and the shaft greased every year. A manual would be nice to have right about now.

Inspect the bellows for any cracks.
Grease all the fitting and the Gimbel bearing, refer to the manual for the correct grease.

Store the lower unit in the down position. All the water in there will drain and the bellows won't obtain memory.

[Valv]

Besides ST excellent description, there is for sale a tank that you fill up (or at least 2 or 3 gallons) with RV antifreeze, connect to lower unit water pickup with your muffs and run motor until see pink water coming out of prop or exhaust.
Then remove all plugs or petcocks and drain it.

Remember freeze cracks on I/Os are most common problem with not winterizing boat properly. The tank above is cheap ( $ 15.00) compared to a new block.

------------------
Val Vignati

www.kvesurplus.com
[email protected]

[Dusty]

I would add that you take a wire and insert it into each petcock opening. Often sand and grit will plug the hole during the draining process. Also if you have a v6 or v8 block, be sure to pull the hoses on the water jackets on each side of the motor.