Servicing and winterizing

[PalmAde]

How many of you DIY the servicing and winterizing of your engines ?

Hopefully there will be a few more trips out yet but it wont be too long before winterizing comes about, Im reading that this is a fairly simple task involving draining the fuel and spraying fogging oil into the spark plug holes, turning the engine over, spraying again and then spraying all over.
Would you agree with this or is it more involved and a job for a specialist ?

I think I will have a proper service in the spring of next year, that will give me peace of mind.

I'd like to hear your views on looking after the engines.

My engine is a 1990 2 stroke Mercury 60.

[davej]

You have probably got an identical engine to mine which is a 1987 model. Its really easy to service, look after winterize etc.

A complete service kit can be had from Key Parts for about £70, which includes a spin on water/fuel filter.

Recently I stripped the gear box seals and replaced them myself after making a few simple tools to help.

Mine is keep inside now and I never actually winterise it, just service it, turn the crank over by hand and squeeze the priming bulb every now and again to stop the float chambers from drying out, oh and charge the battery.

I have found mine to be a bril OB and wouldn't actually change it for something more modern until I have to, perhaps the only OB I would use instead is a 2 S Yam 90hp.

Good luck
Dave

[actions]

Thinking about winterising already. Grab yourself a dry suit and you can have brilliant days out in the winter sun. I dont put mine to be until December and start again March time, just avoiding the real cold stuff and most on here would call me a lightweight for putting it to be at all

Dry suit, thermals, waterproof gloves, hat and you'll be warm and toastie.

Lots of threads on here for winterisng as i had the same issue with my old engine. Just have a quick search

Winterization or run it on the muffs once a month?

[PalmAde]

I must be a woos because I like doing it in the sun and warmth.

With all that global warming rubbish that was being touted a few years back we should have been like the South of France here on the South Coast but unfortunately it seems to have gone the other way and its more like Scotland now (nothing against the Scots of course )

[PalmAde]

Thanks for the thread link Actions, can you tell me please what 'stabalizing' the fuel is all about, is it a product used with the fuel, similar stuff to the additive I use for my lawn mower that keeps the petrol fresh ?

To be honest, using the boat all year round hadn't crossed my mind but is worth thinking about for sure.

[actions]

Your spot on, Simply adding a stabilizer to the fuel preserves the fuel over a period of a few months.

Personally i do the following, run the engine without the fuel line attached therefore using up all the fuel in the carbs etc.

Then use any left over fuel in the boat tanks for the car. No need then to stabilize the fuel at all then.

However if you have a premix two stroke (fuel and oil already mixed) then you will need to add a stabilizer to the tanks.

Of course some do it otherways, this is just how i do it.

In all seriousness, a cold winter day with full sun on calm waters is brilliant. Just would call it quits if ice began to form on me......

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by actions

However if you have a premix two stroke (fuel and oil already mixed) then you will need to add a stabilizer to the tanks.

If you have a crappy car, a tractor, lawnmower, etc... A few dozen liters of leftover 50:1 mix runs fine in a 4-stroke engine. Especially when mixed with the straight fuel in the tank and the ratio drops way below 100:1 anyway.

Can also be used in most 2-stroke lawn equipment, but my chainsaw takes 40:1 mix for instance. Although it uses so little fuel that I don't think I have been through more than 8 liters of 40:1 chainsaw mix in 10yrs.

[9D280]

Originally Posted by PalmAde

its more like Scotland now (nothing against the Scots of course )

My definition of winterising: Launch - go for a cruise - recover. Repeat as necessary!

I'll second the winter trips theory - some of the best days for epic scenery & lighting I've had have been in January! One tip tho' - Buy a decent pair of gloves & hat, add extra jumper.

[actions]

Originally Posted by 9D280

Buy a decent pair of gloves

I've just bought some seal skin gloves, 100% waterproof, hopefully they will be warm too.

Sealskinz Ultra Grip Gloves - for cycling, running, riding, shooting and sailing

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by 9D280

My definition of winterising: Launch - go for a cruise - recover. Repeat as necessary!

Likewise - I only winterised once this winter and that was because I was off to England for a month. Fladen suit will ward off anything though the old face gets a bit cold. I have a Save Phace but still feel a bit of a tit wearing it in public