winterizing your outboard motors

[yz250]

what is the correct way to winterize your outboard motor some say to run antifreeze some say u don't have to cause all the water drains out

[Blue Skeeter]

i have honestly never winterized my 150 yamaha 4 stroke . I do put stable in the fuel and thats it. I think all outboards are self draining

[waterfoul]

Self draining is awsome. Stabilize the gas and fog the carbs and you're done. Oh, and change the lower unit fluid too.

[yz250]

thanks gentlemen I appreciate your replies

[brigeton]

I use my boat until ice up. I'm often in the boat when people are ice fishing small lakes.Once we get into December I keep Stabil in my fuel so that if we get a cold snap & I can't use the boat for a couple of months the Stabil is in my carburetors.

[Greenbush future]

Tilt the motor down (in the drive way and you will see just a small amount of water come out. Other than that the above always works for my OUTBOARD. I/O's are another story.

[adjusted3]

I have not winterized my outboard ever....I have not even put Staybil in it. But that said, I use my boat year round. The lakes in the soft water season and the river in the hard water season.

What I do though is I keep my tank topped off. I do not want any condensation forming. I also lower my outboard on every take out to it's lowest point and "bump" the key to spin out any excess water.

Now, this causes some other issues in doing this- you will fry a impeller if you start up the engine, even for a few seconds. I am comfortable in running this risk but I change out the impeller every spring, and have never seen a fried impellor doing this.

To date, I have never had an issue, nor has the engine failed to start or given me any issues.

Mark

[finlander]

I have an '06 Honda that i normally remove and put in the basement. The local dealer asked 'WHY?" went I called for a price on a carrier to move the motor. He said just slowly pull the cord thru a couple of times. That would expell any water. I use Stabill throughout the year. He said that should do it. But, what might cold weather do for anything internally, like seals??? Would they become brittle?? The warranty expires in March on this 15 Honda. Thanks.

[waterfoul]

Your Honda is a 4 stroke... I'd run some antifreeze into it. It has anti-corrosive agents in it that will help keep your internal components from rusting. As far as "seals" and such... there really aren't any "seals" in your motor that the water affects... gaskets yes... but they won't care one way or the other.