Outboards and the winter time

[LilyDuck]

I got my 25hp and 6hp in the garage right now...As I am a duck hunter, I will be using these every weekend, depending on the situation, what would be the best way to do this...Put stabil in the tank and go, or winterize the motors after every use...This just doesnt seem pratical to me?

SUGGESTIONS?????

[The Whale]

I run Stabil in my gas most all year long. Doesn't matter when I let anything set, I'm always protected. Especially in my 2-cycle stuff. Never had a problem with any of motors (outboards, tractor, mower, trimmers etc.) running conditions either, seems to run well all the time. Make sure you read the Stabil bottles directions for mixing and follow them exactly. Make sure you add the proper amount to any gas cans you have with duel also, they need protection when setting for a time too. Then just make sure you don't "double dose" something when filling from the can(s). ;) :cool:

[SalmonBum]

I use my 17 fter with a 50hp OB til there is ice on the lake. The only thing I do to it until then is lower the motor all the way down (when I pull it out) to let the water drain out. Since I use it almost 3-4 times a week, no need for anything else. Last yr I put my boat away for good in the 2nd weekend of December.

[double trouble]

stabil works year round. just for grins, check your lower unit fluid every other weekend to make sure no water gets in. it can freeze and crack the lower casing.takes less than a minute.just loosen the lower screw a bit till you see a bit of fluid. if its light brown and slick like new fluid is,you're good to go. if its milky white or smells burnt u need to see the mechanic.

[Ed Michrina]

Like said before Stabil in the gas tank and store you outboards tilted down. The only other thing I would do for cold and freezing use is change the lower end lube to eliminate any chance of water (freeze) mixed in the lube. The only other thing you would do if fog the engine. Fogging is only need for long term storage so your all set.

[waterfoul]

I run Stabil in my gas most all year long. Doesn't matter when I let anything set, I'm always protected. Especially in my 2-cycle stuff. Never had a problem with any of motors (outboards, tractor, mower, trimmers etc.) running conditions either, seems to run well all the time. Make sure you read the Stabil bottles directions for mixing and follow them exactly. Make sure you add the proper amount to any gas cans you have with duel also, they need protection when setting for a time too. Then just make sure you don't "double dose" something when filling from the can(s). ;) :cool:

I'm sorry if this seems harsh, but you are wasting a lot of money on Stabil if you use it as much as you say. Either that or you don't use your gas powered equipment as much as the rest of us. My mower is 12 years old. Starts on the first or second pull every time... My weed eater is 9 years old... starts 2nd pull every time. My Merc 50 is 34 years old... starts every time I turn the key. Snowblower is 15 years old... starts 2nd pull every time. Snowmobile is 8 years old... starts 2nd or 3rd pull every time. None of these sees Stabil except for long term storage. Gas can sit for weeks and weeks with no ill effects on the equipment it's in. Gas can sit in a gas can (sealed) for a month easy with no ill effects on it's ability to run a motor effectively and efficiently.

Stabil is not cheap... and does not offer the kind of "protection" you think it does for what I consider short term storage (lawn mower in the garage for a week etc...). Not sure why anyone would go to such lengths to Stabilize fuel in this manner.

If there is proof somewhere that this is a proven effective manner to add longevity to a motor I'll be happy to "stand corrected."

'Foul

[The Whale]

I've got weed eaters that won't see action for three/four months in a row, tractor won't see action for same amount of time, outboards have been known to sit for three months or better depending on the boat I choose to utilize most often. Gas in cans may or may not be used within a similar time frame also. stabil don't cost nothing compared to the grief a person can have with just one motor/carburation problem. An eight dollar (or so) bottle of Satbil ?? expensive ?, "a lot of money" ??? , please, not in my book. :rolleyes:

[TONGA]

I think the need for stabil or anything like it it directly related to the quality of gas and by that I dont mean reg vs premium, there is a small gas station by me and I have seen gas from this place go sour to the point you can't get your outboard to bark in as little as 6 weeks while I seen gas from other places that has sat for a year or more and has been fine. so I think it has more to do with what % of this and that they are putting in the gas.

[waterfoul]

I can go along with the gas station variable. I figure the busier the station, the fresher the gas. Also, if you look at the pump, many stations now serve up their gas with up to 10% ethanol. Ethanol and gas really don't mix that well, and ethanol will actually absorbe water. So it stands to reason that if your station is serving ethanol gas, it will dilute and get "wet" quicker than "normal" gas. There is an interesting article about this very thing in this months issue of "Boating" magazine. Just got my issue Tuesday.

But as I stated in my previous post, none of my equipment sits for extended periods of time unless it's long term storage. Weed eater, lawn mower, boat motor, snowmobile, snowblower... they all get used at least once a week in their season. Usually more than once a week actually. So to me, living paycheck to paycheck as I do, Stabil is an expensive and unneccesary additive, especially with gas prices the way they are. Never had an issue, and I suspect I never will. So please, you go right on ahead and Stabilize your fuel. :)


And I said I didn't mean to be harsh... aparently you missed that part Whale.;)