How to Winterize a Four Stroke Outboard Motor
Summary
TLDRThis guide addresses the proper method of winterizing a four-stroke outboard motor, clearing up common confusion. Key steps include flushing the motor with freshwater, checking for salt buildup, changing the lower unit oil, and adding a fuel stabilizer to combat ethanol effects. It's crucial to run the engine to ensure the stabilized fuel circulates. Unlike two-strokes, fogging a four-stroke motor is optional if itโs started every few weeks. The video also debunks the myth of needing antifreeze, explaining that proper drainage prevents freezing, making the motor winter-ready.
Takeaways
- ๐ Four-stroke outboards are very popular, but winterizing them differs from two-strokes.
- ๐ฟ The first step in winterizing is to give the motor a thorough freshwater flush for 5 to 10 minutes.
- ๐ After flushing, remove the cowling and check for any salt buildup inside, rinsing it away if found.
- ๐ข๏ธ Change the lower unit oil, even if itโs fresh, to avoid water-induced damage during freezing temperatures.
- โฝ Adding a fuel stabilizer is essential, especially since ethanol was introduced into fuels.
- ๐โโ๏ธ Run the motor for 10 to 15 minutes after adding the fuel stabilizer to ensure it moves through the system.
- ๐ Tilt the motor up and down completely to drain all water, as leftover water could freeze and cause damage.
- ๐ซ๏ธ Engine fogger is traditionally used to winterize by spraying into the air intake and cylinders, but many experts now advise against it for four-stroke engines.
- ๐ Regularly starting the motor every 3 weeks eliminates the need for engine fogging in four-strokes.
- โ๏ธ Antifreeze isn't necessary for four-stroke outboards if all water has been properly drained.
Q & A
What is the first step in winterizing a four-stroke outboard motor?
-The first step is to give the motor a good freshwater flush to clean out any salt and debris.
What equipment might you need to flush a four-stroke outboard motor?
-You may need a pair of ear muffs or a hose that can be threaded directly into the motor, depending on the model.
Why is it important to check for salt buildup inside the motor after flushing?
-Salt buildup inside the motor can lead to corrosion, so itโs important to rinse away any salt to avoid damage.
Why is it necessary to change the lower unit oil, even if it's fresh?
-You should change the lower unit oil to ensure no water has gotten in. If water freezes, it expands, which can cause serious damage to the motor.
What is the role of fuel stabilizer in winterizing a four-stroke outboard motor?
-Fuel stabilizer is necessary to prevent ethanol in the fuel from degrading over time. It helps maintain fuel quality during storage.
Why should you run the motor for 10 to 15 minutes after adding fuel stabilizer?
-Running the motor for 10 to 15 minutes ensures that the stabilized fuel circulates through the entire motor, protecting the fuel system.
Why is it important to tilt the motor up and down during winterization?
-Tilting the motor all the way up and down ensures that all water drains out, preventing any water from freezing and causing damage.
Is antifreeze necessary for winterizing a four-stroke outboard motor?
-No, antifreeze is not necessary. If the motor is properly drained, no water should remain inside to freeze and cause damage.
What is the traditional use of engine fogger in winterizing a motor?
-Engine fogger is traditionally sprayed into the air intake while the motor runs until smoke comes out, and a spritz is applied inside each cylinder to prevent rust during storage.
Is it necessary to fog a four-stroke outboard motor for winterization?
-No, it may not be necessary to fog a four-stroke motor if you start the motor every 3 weeks during the winter to keep it running properly.
Outlines
๐ง Winterizing Four-Stroke Outboards: Introduction
The video begins by discussing the popularity of four-stroke outboards compared to two-strokes and emphasizes the importance of properly winterizing these engines. The speaker aims to clear up the confusion surrounding the process, starting with the essential step of giving the motor a thorough freshwater flush. Depending on the outboard, this can involve using ear muffs or threading a hose directly into the motor for a 5 to 10-minute flush.
๐ Inspecting for Salt Buildup & Lower Unit Oil Change
After flushing the motor, the next steps involve inspecting the engine for any salt buildup and rinsing it away. Following this, the lower unit oil must be changed, even if it's fresh. This step is crucial because water may have entered the oil, which could freeze and cause significant damage to the motor during winter. A reference to another video on changing lower unit oil is provided for further guidance.
๐ง Fuel Stabilization & Water Drainage
With the introduction of ethanol in fuel, adding a fuel stabilizer for winter is now essential. Once the stabilizer is added, the motor needs to run for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure the stabilized fuel circulates through the system. After this, it's crucial to tilt the motor up and down several times to drain any remaining water from the outdrive. This prevents freezing and potential damage to the outboard.
๐ซ๏ธ Fogging the Engine: To Do or Not to Do?
Traditionally, fogging the engine is the next step in winterization, where engine fogger is sprayed into the air intake until smoke emerges from the exhaust. Each spark plug is then removed, and fogger is sprayed inside the cylinder. However, the speaker, along with other enthusiasts, believes that for a four-stroke motor, regular usage every three weeks during the winter season is a better approach than fogging.
๐ซ Antifreeze Misconceptions
The final part of the winterization process addresses the common misconception that antifreeze is needed for four-stroke outboards. In reality, if the motor is positioned properly (tilted down), no water should remain inside. The speaker suggests that any boatyard recommending antifreeze may just be adding unnecessary costs. The motor is considered ready to sit for three weeks until its next start-up, with no need for additional antifreeze.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กFour-stroke outboards
๐กWinterizing
๐กFreshwater flush
๐กLower unit oil
๐กFuel stabilizer
๐กEngine fogger
๐กEthanol
๐กTilt the motor
๐กAntifreeze
๐กSalt buildup
Highlights
Four-stroke outboards are now the most popular choice on the market.
Winterizing a four-stroke outboard motor differs from a two-stroke motor.
The first step in winterizing is to give the motor a good freshwater flush.
Use ear muffs or thread the hose into the motor for a 5-10 minute flush.
Check for salt buildup under the cowling and rinse it away to avoid corrosion.
Even if the lower unit oil is fresh, change it before winter to avoid water freezing and damaging the motor.
Water expands when frozen, which can cause serious damage to the motor.
Adding a fuel stabilizer is critical when storing the motor for winter, especially with ethanol in fuel.
After adding stabilized fuel, run the motor for 10-15 minutes to circulate it.
Tilt the motor all the way up and down to ensure all water drains out to prevent freezing.
Traditionally, engine fogger is sprayed into the air intake and inside the cylinders before winter.
Some believe that starting a four-stroke motor every three weeks is better than fogging it.
Running the motor every three weeks keeps it winterized without the need for fogging.
Antifreeze is not necessary for winterizing, as long as the motor is fully drained of water.
Many boatyards might add antifreeze just to increase the bill, but it's not needed.
Transcripts
fourstroke Outboards have become by far
the most popular on the market but there
are some differences between four
strokes and two strokes one of those is
winterising and there's a lot of
confusion about how to properly
winterize a four stroke let's end it
right now the first thing you need to do
of course is give the motor a good
freshwater flush now in some cases
you'll need a pair of ear muffs in some
others you thread the hose right
in and let the water flow for a good 5
or 10
minutes now that she's flushed out we're
going to remove the cow and we're going
to search for any salt
buildup that we can find inside and
rinse it away the next step is to change
the lower unit oil now even if it's
fresh you still want to change it just
in case any water got in there of course
water freezes it expands when it freezes
and that can cause serious damage watch
our boat video on how to change lower
unit oil and you'll know exactly how to
do it since the introduction of ethanol
adding a fuel stabilizer for the winter
is an absolute
must now that the stabilized fuel is in
the system you need to hook up the water
again run the motor for a good 10 or 15
minutes to work that stabilized fuel
through the motor now this is very
important afterwards you need to tilt it
all the way up and all the way down you
want to make absolutely sure that that
every drop of water drains out of that
out drive otherwise it could freeze and
break something now traditionally the
next step is to take some engine fogger
run the motor and spray it in the air
intake until smoke comes out the back
then you remove each plug and give it a
spritz of fogger inside the cylinder but
many Tech heads myself included believe
that with a four-stroke motor the best
way to winterize it is simply to use it
if you start your motor every 3 weeks or
so you really don't need to fog it well
can that really be all there is to
winterizing a fourstroke wait a minute
what about the
antifreeze nah truth of the matter is no
water should remain in this entire
outboard motor sitting in the down
position like this and most of the time
if a boaty yard wants to add antifreeze
they're probably just trying to add a
bill for you truth of the matter is this
motor is ready to sit for 3 weeks until
I give her another start and let her
warm up and then another 3 weeks after
that
Fogg it
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