Winterization is preparing your Mercury outboard parts for the damage that could happen during freezing weather if you do not take specific precautions. If you have any water inside your engine or gear case by the time the water starts to freeze, the sensitive components and casing will start to crack.
In order to prevent repair costs in the thousands of dollars, you will need to properly prepare your boat engine at the end of boating season. Corrosion inhibitors to prevent rust while you are not using your vessel are also important for winterization. Use them both internally and externally in your boat engine.
To begin winterization, you’ll need your boat’s owner’s manual, your engine’s usual lubricants, and an aerosol can of fogging oil. Gasoline engines will require a fuel stabilizer, and diesel engines will need a fuel biocide.
Outboards will need a freshwater flush. You can do this by running the outboard in a tank filled with clean water. To empty your fuel lines and carburetors, disconnect the fuel line while the engine is still running. When your engine dies, this means there is no more fuel inside. Not doing this causes clogging in your lines, jets and injectors.
Next, spray fogging oil into the carburetors. This will prevent corrosion inside the carburetor and cylinders. Remove the motor from the flush tank, open drain plugs, and let all the water drain from the powerhead. Coat the powerhead with anticorrosion spray. No water must remain inside you expect the water to freeze during winter. After removing the spark plugs, you need to spray fogging oil inside to coat the cylinders. You will be able to spread oil on the cylinder walls if you turn the fly wheel. Don’t forget to reinstall the plugs once you finish.
All linkages and electric starter drives need to be lubricated and cleaned. There should be no visible oil or grease. After this, drain and refill the gearcase. Your owner’s manual will tell you exactly what kind of lubricant your engine needs. Do not use any other type of lubricant because this can interfere with your outboard’s functions. The oil tank should be filled so there is no condensation that can freeze inside your tank.
All chipped paint should be touched up, otherwise you will find that the metals will be subjected to oxidization. You will need to drain your entire fuel tank so there is no old gasoline inside. Run your boat until it comes close to empty and then drain the rest. If for some reason you can’t empty your entire tank, be sure to fill it to 95%. This is the next best thing. It prevents any space for water to condense and mix with your tank that is half full. Use gasoline stabilizer and clean/lubricate the propeller shaft. Store your engine upright.
Following these instructions will prevent damage during the winter time to your Suzuki marine parts.
——————————————————————————————————————–
Guest post is provided by Performance Product Technologies, offering marine parts to boat enthusiasts everywhere. Search the online catalog at www.perfprotech.com.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.