un-winterizing

[DeLawterJ]

I have just purchased an 18ft CC with a 2003 Yamaha 115 4 stroke and I have a couple questions. The boat and motor were winterized and I need to know what does the engine need to run smoothly during the summer months. I called my local Parker dealer and they were talking about changing filters, oil, ect to the tune of $400. I was under the impression with a 4 stroke this process was take the wrap off wax her up and go. The engine has under 100 hours total. I dont mind paying for it now but it seems a bit overkill.

JD

 

[Megabyte]

I would have thought that the "changing filters, oil, ect" would have been done before the winter lay-up.

If you did the winter lay-up service, did you perform those things?
If your dealer did the winter lay-up, did they?

Generally, if the required service was done in the fall, all you should have to do now is run her to burn off the fogging oil, then put in a new set of plugs and go!

 

[DeLawterJ]

Mega

I will get in touch with the shop that did do the winterizing and find out what you asked. Thanks for your help. Is there anything more that I should ask to make sure I dont run into any problems this summer?

JD

 

[Porkchunker]

I have twin Yami F-115 4-S engines.

I've never changed plugs in the spring after burning off the fogging oil. Every fall or late winter I have the motors serviced and winterized. Dealer changes the plugs every other year or so...depending on how many hours I put on the motors and how the plugs look. All filters are changed with the service. I don't change filters in the spring. I just splash and go.

Go talk to that dealer and find out exactly what they did when they pulled the service and winterization. Don't pay for doing things again in the spring. Should just be a matter of placing fresh fuel in the tank and taking off. The only thing I check in the spring is the fuel-water separator filters to ensure that the ethanol-based fuel has not gone into phase separation.

BTW, with the ethanol in the new fuels, the recommendation seems to be to run the tank as low as possible in the fall before winterizing. Add a heavy dose of fuel stabilizer (Star Tron seems to be the one specifically developed for ethanol based fuels) and run the engines for a few minutes before fogging. That gets the stabilizer into the fuel system of the powerhead.

Dave

aka

 

[Megabyte]

Mega

I will get in touch with the shop that did do the winterizing and find out what you asked. Thanks for your help. Is there anything more that I should ask to make sure I dont run into any problems this summer?

JD... If they have records on that motor (or if you do), look to see when the last time the cooling system was serviced. Water pumps and t-stats are generally replaced every 3 years of normal use. That motor is a 2003 so it would be due if it's never been done since new.

 

[DeLawterJ]

I found the invoice and here is what was done: Winterize, replace fuel filters, fog oil and change gear oil. So I want to get this right, start her up with the earmuffs, run the motor for about five min and fill the tank up for the season. The tank has an additive to it but I asume for how much I put in I will have to put that much additive in? Thanks in advance.

JD

 

[njterrier]

Good morning CP folks,

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I have a question in regards to the un-winterizing process.
I brought my boat to my house to clean her up, and make sure all systems are go before I bring her to the marina next week. I hooked up the batteries, tilted the motor down to a normal position, and dripping out of the lower unit of the outboard is a red fluid. Please tell me this is just anti-freeze that spilled out. The motor is a 1998 Yamaha 115 2 stroke.
The engine was professionally winterized in Nov 07.
I also fired her up for a split second, she fired right up.

THX in advance for any input.

Scott

 

[Megabyte]

Outboard motors are self draining. No antifreeze is needed.

I would talk to the service manager where you had the winterizing done and tell him about this red fluid...

 

[njterrier]

Turned out that the red fluid was an antifreeze used to winterize the outboard.

Scared the cr*p out of me when I saw it.

THX

 

[Megabyte]

First time I've ever heard of a dealer using RV antifreeze in an outboard...
But! Good to know you're 'clear to launch'!