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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Motor winter storage

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1318 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/30/2011 : 09:04:19

Just wondering what would be optimum for winter storage of the motor and equipment.

1) Run the motor dry of gasoline
2) Drain fuel line
3) Additives in the fuel tank
4) Oil change before putting the motor away

anything else?

How many hours do you rake up before replacing spark plugs

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Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 09:47:10

My Honda 9.9 is winterized by draining the gas and putting a teaspoon of motor oil into each cylinder. From all the discussions on this Forum, I've learned that discarding the gas (into your car's or truck's tank) is advisable, too. I keep the outboard in my basement over the winter.

I've now seen separated gasoline with water underneath in my previous outboard motor gas tank after it became leaky to air, and in my lawnmower when not used for a month and a half, and in a piece of rented gas-powered equipment from Home Depot. This gas with 10% ethanol is dangerous to keep around.

Other routine maintenance like inspecting or replacing spark plugs, oil change, lube job of the outside moving parts, and replacing the lower unit oil could be done, but is not as critical as getting the old gas out of the engine and keeping the outboard in a warm dry place for the winter.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 10:07:51

I have never replaced a sparkplug yet, but I keep a spare onboard.
I drain my tank as much as possible into the lawnmower (lawn season is longer than sailing season)
I change lower unit oil every 2nd season
The outboard is stored in the mostly warm basement all winter. I have seen a tip to keep a bowl of water next to it if you think that a marginally warm location may still be susceptible to freezing.
In the spring, adding new gas to the tank will dilute the little bit of old gas in the bottom of the tank enough that it isn't a problem. I always seem to end up with a little gas still in the tank no matter how hard I try to drain it.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 11:40:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by zeil
 
2) Drain fuel line

anything else?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If it has a screw on the bottom of the carb bowl - crack it open to drain any residual gas . . . just be sure to re-tighten it!

Edited by - OJ on 09/30/2011 11:40:48

two port feet
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 14:10:47

Honda 9.9 good time to change the water pump impeller

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 16:50:58

Like JohnP, I remove the plugs, spray a little fogging oil into the cylinders, slowly pull on the starter cord to cycle the cylinders once or twice and then reinstall the plugs. I also like to spray a little carb cleaner into the air intake or add a little SeaFoam to the gas just before letting the motor run dry. Doesn't hurt. I keep my gas tank (metal) near full (w/ Stabil added)throughout the winter to minimize potential for rust and then empty it in the spring. I also try to grease/lubricate (WD-40) the mechanisms that require it...just one less thing to do come spring launch.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 17:54:41

If you have a plastic fuel tank, there's no reason to stabilize the fuel. Just put it in your truck and let the tank dry. Buy new gas in the spring. If you stabilize the gas, I'd still put it in the truck in the spring.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 19:07:34

Honda 9.9 is too heavy for me to remove each year. We leave ours on the boat (covered by a tarp) and it does just fine. We run it dry and that's it. In the spring I change the engine oil, both plugs and the gear oil. Runs like a champ. Unused gas goes to the lawn mower.

Pulled the boat out of the lake today. While I hate to see the season end it does mean that football season is here and then the holidays. Life is good.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 09/30/2011 19:09:10

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 19:13:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by glivs
 Like JohnP, I remove the plugs, spray a little fogging oil into the cylinders, slowly pull on the starter cord to cycle the cylinders once or twice and then reinstall the plugs. I also like to spray a little carb cleaner into the air intake or add a little SeaFoam to the gas just before letting the motor run dry. Doesn't hurt. I keep my gas tank (metal) near full (w/ Stabil added)throughout the winter to minimize potential for rust and then empty it in the spring. I also try to grease/lubricate (WD-40) the mechanisms that require it...just one less thing to do come spring launch.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I was watching a show this evening called American Restoration on the History channel. The were restoring and old fuel tank (circa 1918) and after emptying it completely the lined it with a sealer called [url="http://printfu.org/read/por-15-fuel-tank-sealer-18d4.html?f=1qeYpurpn6Wih-SUpOGumKinh7y-yJKlnYW2x666lLq2u7CMwrumwK23kq3cqKagl-HZjqrpn6WZn5Lc3uHo0-W9tdHb24ev25-hrIvUlqHop5uhqZjN6NzVqqGY5evdo93U3qCrk9fX0p-2yuLVi6eduNTU29nnl8vl19WTppbpztPXlKiV583G3Nfbk6aW5dHLmt_ay5aj4g"]POR - 15[/url]. They said it was great for old rusted tanks.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2011 : 20:11:12

I take mine to Florida.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4025 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2011 : 06:13:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">then the holidays. Life is good.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The only good holiday is Memorial Day, The unofficial start to the season. The rest I don't need.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2011 : 06:20:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I take mine to Florida.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think that's the best advise!

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5417 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2011 : 07:53:48

Zeil -
Your recipe pretty much nails it, with the addition of replacing replaceable items, filters and fluids as described above.

I would make a slight mod to your list:
1) Additives in the fuel tank
2) Run the motor dry of gasoline
3) Disconnect and drain fuel line
4) Oil change before putting the motor away

By adding the fuel stabilizer first, you eliminate the gummy residue that can remain in the carburetor once the fuel runs dry.

I'd also add:
dump the old gas,
remove the spark plugs and fog the cylinders with oil,
clean or replace the spark plugs.
Good to replace the inline gas filter if you have one (Honda has one just before the carb),
empty the contents gas/water separator into a coffee can,
flush the engine cooling system with fresh water (if you sail in salt water) and check the engine for corrosion.
I found saltwater hit one of the electrical parts and was corroding it last year. Saved me an eventual tow.
Lube the linkages (transmission, throttle).
Check your prop cotter pin and the retaining nut.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2011 : 10:15:17

Also in salt water: Spray down the whole engine (inside the cowl) with a dry lubricant or WD-40 for general corrosion protection, including on miscellaneous electrical connections, insulators, hoses, clamps, etc. (avoiding the alternator belt). Mechanics do this routinely.

I'd recommend against metal tanks these days--ethanol and the water-based fluids that it separates out of the gas are corrosive to steel and aluminum. Time to give up and go plastic--then empty the tank at the end of the season and let dry.

Edited by - on

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