During the coming winter season, weather does not always permit for boating. This is the perfect time for boat and outboard maintenance. After maintenance you need to ensure your outboard is stored correctly, ready for next summer,
Winterization is a process that not only applies to the winter storage, but should be applied to any period where the outboard is without use for 2 to 3 months. There are steps which can be applied no matter which season you are winterizing your outboard. Lets get started with the checklist and preparation.
Do not smother the motor
When getting ready to store your outboard for winter, It is the wrong step to cover or wrap your outboard motor in a tight seal covering, and is inviting corrosion trouble to start setting in.
By wrapping the outboard in a covering, any moisture which has been left under the hood or cowl cannot properly escape the outboard with natural ventilation. The cowl needs to breathe during the winter as the temperature changes from cold days to warm and this moisture transforms to condensation. This moisture residue can potentially start a corrosive effect inside the outboard on both the moving parts and electrical connections.
Ensure that you carefully drape material to avoid excess dust or insects that may block the cooling holes and other openings on the outboard.
Cover your outboard with an outboard cover or material carefully draped to avoid excess dust or insects that may block cooling holes or other openings on your outboard, but do not smother it..
Do not tilt the outboard up
The position in which your outboard is stored is important. The best way to store your outboard is to either leave it on the boat or in an upright position on an engine stand, not tilted.
Caution is being leveled against tilting your outboard up for storage to drain the. Outboard motors are self-draining , but only when in a vertical position.
The reason for this is that the residue water that potentially left in the outboard motor when tilted can potentially freeze and could cause damage.
Never store an outboard with the gearbox higher than the powerhead as water in the exhaust passages may run into the cylinders causing damage to your outboard.
Another factor to be aware of is that the water collected and still inside the tilted motor can collect in the barrel of the prop without running out and then steadily move down the passages of the gear case which could cause it to crack in the cold.
Flush the outboard
No mater whether using your outboard in fresh or salt water, you need to make sure that you flush your engine at home after every outing.
Having flushed the outboard with fresh water and salt remover, you should then flush with antifreeze. This prevents the water residue that may have been left inside the engine during winter from freezing and cracking the engine block.
Disconnect the fuel supply
Make sure you disconnect the fuel line. If you have a two-stroke engine, old fuel can clog the engine and you must allow for the engine to burn all that is left in the carburetor.
With a quick-disconnect you can keep the engine running while all the fuel runs out.
For fuel-injected outboards it is advised to install a stabilizer in the fuel-tank before running the engine out.
Fuel often transforms into a thick, gum-like liquid and breaks down during long storage. This liquid may clog the fuel line or carburetor if not drained.
Inspect under the cowling & anti-corrosion
Remove the cowling in order to visually inspect the outboard engine for fuel and water leaks, corroded parts or loose wires. Check all bolts and ensure they are stiffly connected. Ensure the outboard is turned off and grease the cable linkages and ends.
Wipe down all accessible moving parts and components. After spray with an anti-corrosive spray such as Q20. Once done you can place the cowling back.
Remove the battery
Remove the battery and connect it to a battery tender which prevents the battery from draining and keeps it preserved while not in use.
Clean and store your batteries in a cool, dry place.
Refill the gearbox
Drain and refill your gearbox to prevent condensation in the oil tank during winterization.
Refill your gearbox completely with fresh oil. It is always good to lubricate all shift and throttle links when refilling the gearbox.
Maintain the propeller
To maintain the prop and fend off corrosion during longer storage you should lightly coat it and the prop shaft with grease.
To recap, winterization should be done at any period where your outboard is not running for more than 2 to 3 months.
Points to check:
- Do not smother the motor ventilation when covering
- Do not store the outboard tilted upwards
- Flush the outboard with anti-salt & anti-corrosive
- Disconnect the fuel supply
- Inspect under the cowling
- Remove the battery
- Refill the gearbox
- Maintain & grease the propeller
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