| Outboard
Winterizing Tips
To
help keep your engine in tip-top condition
for years to come, it is important that you
“winterize” your outboard for off-season
storage. By winterizing your outboard, you
will help ensure that your outboard will be
ready to go at the start of next year's boating
season. Although you can winterize your outboard
yourself, most dealers will perform this
service for you at a very reasonable rate.
Step 1:
Thoroughly flush your engine with clean, fresh
water and let the water completely drain from
the engine. Wash any dirt, grease, etc. from
the exterior of the engine.
Caution:
To avoid injury in the event of accidental
starting, be sure and remove the prop
and the stop switch lanyard cord from
your outboard before proceeding.
All Nissan outboards are water cooled; running
your outboard without an adequate source of
cooling water will result in severe damage
to your outboard!
- Smaller
Horsepower Outboard (2.5 & 3.5 hp)
For
smaller outboards, the simplest way to flush
your outboard is by using a large bucket of
water. Be sure the bucket is large enough
to completely cover the water intake ports
on the lower unit of the outboard. Also be
sure that the bucket is wide enough so that
no part of the motor will touch the sides/bottom
of the bucket. Securely mount your outboard
on a sawhorse or some other type of apparatus
that will allow safe operation of your outboard.
The
5 - 140 hp comes equipped with a “flushing
plug” which can be attached to a hose for
flushing the engine with fresh water or purchase
a set of “ear muffs” (available at your local
marine dealer). This equipment attaches to
your garden hose and clamps on to your outboard's
lower unit, covering the water intake ports.
Turn the garden hose on full before starting
your engine. (Note: "ear muffs"
will not work on the Nissan 5 hp. With the
5 hp you will need to either use the flushing
plug or use the “bucket technique” as described
above).
Run
your outboard at normal idle speed for
5-10 minutes to allow the engine to warm up
and to ensure your outboard is thoroughly
flushed with clean water.
After
flushing the outboard, allow the water
to completely drain from the engine (see
Step 2 before you shut off your engine). Your
outboard should be in a vertical position
for the water to completely drain. While you're
waiting for your engine to drain, wipe off
any dirt, grease, etc. from the exterior of
the engine.
Step 2:
Drain all fuel from the fuel hoses, fuel pump
and carburetor.
When
you have completed the fresh water flush in
Step 1, disconnect the fuel line at the motor
and continue running the motor until it runs
out of gas. It is extremely important
to ensure that all of the fuel has been drained
from the carburetor otherwise any fuel/oil
mixture remaining will evaporate and leave
deposits (also called varnish, gum, etc).
in the carburetor.
To
drain the fuel from the carburetor
you can use one of these techniques:
- As
the fuel begins to run out and the motor
starts to "die", choke the engine
a little until the RPM's pick back up. Continue
choking the engine as the engine starts
to die out until the fuel supply is finally
exhausted.
-or-
- Remove
the drain screw from the carburetor bowl
and allow all fuel to drain out. Replace
the screw when finished. Although this technique
requires a bit more effort than the first,
it is recommended to use this procedure
to fully ensure that all fuel has been removed
from the carburetor.
If
you have fuel left in your tank you
may want to add some fuel stabilizer to it,
so that it can be used the following season.
Fuel stabilizer will also help prevent
condensation from forming in your fuel tank.
If
your outboard is not an oil-injected model
(i.e. you mix your gas/oil manually), we highly
recommend you do not store the gasoline
for extended periods of time. Over time,
the gas and oil will separate which will lead
to a lack of lubrication to your engine.
Step 3:
Treat your outboard with “storage oil” (also
called “fogging oil”).
Storage
oil comes in an aerosol spray can and
is used to prevent rust on the engine's
cylinder, crankshaft, bearings, pistons, etc.
and can be purchased at most local marine
dealers. Follow the oil manufacturer's
recommendation on the amount of storage
oil to use (generally about 2 ounces for each
cylinder).
First,
remove the spark plug(s) and the stop switch
lanyard cord from your outboard. It is also
a good idea to disconnect the spark plug wires
from the spark plugs to prevent accidental
starting.
Manual
Start Outboards:
Slowly turn the engine over a few times using
the pull cord while spraying the storage oil
into the spark plug holes.
Electric
Start Outboards:
Be sure you have water hooked up to your water
intakes before turning over your outboard
to prevent damage to your water pump. While
spraying the storage oil into the spark plug
holes, turn the engine over in 5 second bursts
using your electric starter. Do not over “crank”
your engine or you could damage the electric
starter.
Step 4:
Apply water resistant grease to propeller
shaft. Using a wheel bearing grease (or something
similar), thoroughly grease the prop shaft
and prop shaft threads.
Step 5:
Change the gear oil in the lower unit
(see Tech Talk tips for complete step-by-step
instructions).
Step 6:
Apply water resistant grease to all
moving parts, joints, bolts, nuts, and plastic
fittings.
Step 7:
To help keep your factory finish looking
new, apply a light coat of oil to the
exterior. Or you can also wax the exterior
of your outboard using a high grade automobile
wax.
Step 8:
Store the engine vertically in a dry
area.
If
you store your boat in the water there
are several schools of thoughts regarding
whether you should store your engine in or
out of the water. There are advantages and
disadvantages of both ways and unfortunately
there is no one “correct” or “best” way.
Numerous factors such as temperature,
salt/fresh water, algae growth, corrosion,
etc. must be taken into account when deciding
whether to leave your outboard in the water
or tilt it up out of the water.
To
find out which is “best” way we recommend
you ask your local marina, fellow
boaters in your area, etc. how they store
their boat/outboard during the off-season.
Factors
to keep in mind:
- Storing
in water allows algae and corrosion to affect
your outboard.
- Storing
out of the water could cause damage if the
outside temperature reaches freezing and
there is water in your lower unit.
- If
you store your motor tilted up, we recommend
you remove your prop to decrease the temptation
of someone stealing your prop.
- Storing
down in the salt water drastically increases
the potential for corrosion.
Battery Storage
Step 1:
Disconnect the battery cables and clean the
battery terminals using a wire brush.
Step 2:
Recharge the battery to full strength. You
should also recharge the battery once a month
during the off-season to prevent electrical
discharge and degradation of the electrolytes.
Step 3:
Clean the exterior of the battery.
Step 4:
Apply grease (Vaseline works nicely) to the
battery terminals.
Step 5:
Store your battery in a dry place.
The
above tips are presented by Nissan Marine
& Power Products. Nissan Marine &
Nissan-Outboards.com are in no way responsible
for any damages or injuries that may occur
as a result of this information. It is highly
recommended that only qualified outboard technicians
perform any type of work on your outboard.
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