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Author Topic:   Self Draining Outboards

Newtauk1 posted 11-08-2008 10:51 AM ET (US)
I was watching Ship Shape TV this morning. They were adding anti-freeze to a Honda BF130 to winterize. They mentioned that all outboards are not self draining. Which ones are? Are Mercury 75-HP two-cycle outboards self draining?
jeffs22outrage posted 11-08-2008 11:33 AM ET (US)
Yes, The mercury should be.
Slick 50 posted 11-08-2008 11:48 AM ET (US)
No expert but I have read most if not all outboards hold some water in the lower units that can freeze. Is this wrong?
swist posted 11-08-2008 12:31 PM ET (US)
Hmm, in the good old days, that was one of the advantages of outboards. If you left it more or less vertical, most if not all of the water would completely drain out. So you could use them in freezing temperatures without worring about it.
Has this changed?
jimh posted 11-09-2008 09:21 AM ET (US)
I recommend you consult the owner's manual for advice for your particular motor. If the motor is at risk for having entrapped water that could freeze and cause damage, that risk should be mentioned prominently in the owner's manual, and a procedure for draining the water should be be provided.
swist posted 11-09-2008 04:15 PM ET (US)
Obviously you are right Jim, but if it is the case that some newer motors don't self drain, then here is yet another step backwards for what used to be the simplicity of outboards. We have already lost the weight battle with the heft of 4-stroke and DI 2-strokes. We now need 12.7 volts and not a millivolt less and AGM batteries to start some models.
I am starting to wonder if sterndrives (gak) are going to start coming back since all the things that (usually unfavorably) differentiated them from outboards seem to be disappearing.
jimh posted 11-09-2008 07:40 PM ET (US)
A sterndrive is known as a mechanic's annuity. Yes, some modern outboards seem to be approaching that sort of high maintenance level previously held only for sterndrives.
itl posted 11-10-2008 03:35 AM ET (US)
"No expert but I have read most if not all outboards hold some water in the lower units that can freeze. Is this wrong?"
That is true, no matter is the outboard old or new, 2 stroke dfi or 4 stroke. Water pump for example does not self drain. There is a risk to damage the pump's impeller if you start the motor in freezing temperatures.
To avoid water pump damages, some people add anti-freeze to flushing water when they winterize the outboard or are using the outboard during wintertime. I believe that is the case with that Honda BF130 as well.
Also, some engines may need to be trimmed negastive angle and turn the engine from stdb to port as or wice versa to drain all water away.
A2J15Sport posted 11-10-2008 03:40 AM ET (US)
As stated, may I suggest reading the most maligned book, in the world. THE OWNERS MAUNAL.
Most outboards drain-fully-if stored vertically.
Don't take my word for it, READ THE BOOK.
Slick 50 posted 11-10-2008 09:21 AM ET (US)
Got to thinking about what and where I read and about possible freeze of lower units.
On the "screamandfly forum it is mentioned about low water pick-up lower units.
Sorry to generalize all outboards.
Buckda posted 11-10-2008 10:07 AM ET (US)
My E-TEC manual recommends that after the winterization is comoplete, to crank the motor once (or as quickly as you can) to expel any remaining water from the water pump. I describe this brief start and stall (use the kill switch!), and "coughing" the motor - very quick and brief.
I just did this to my motors on Saturday as the boat went back to the barn to await a nice weekend (unlikely till April).
swist posted 11-11-2008 06:18 PM ET (US)
Well I can assure you that at some point in ancient history, your average outboard shed enough water when kept vertical to not freeze up. Whether the water in the impeller drained completely or not, I have no idea, but if there was any left, it wasn't enough to cause a problem. Water that is not under pressure and which does not completely fill a cavity can freeze and expand without causing damage.

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Author	Topic: Self Draining Outboards
Newtauk1	posted 11-08-2008 10:51 AM ET (US) I was watching Ship Shape TV this morning. They were adding anti-freeze to a Honda BF130 to winterize. They mentioned that all outboards are not self draining. Which ones are? Are Mercury 75-HP two-cycle outboards self draining?
jeffs22outrage	posted 11-08-2008 11:33 AM ET (US) Yes, The mercury should be.
Slick 50	posted 11-08-2008 11:48 AM ET (US) No expert but I have read most if not all outboards hold some water in the lower units that can freeze. Is this wrong?
swist	posted 11-08-2008 12:31 PM ET (US) Hmm, in the good old days, that was one of the advantages of outboards. If you left it more or less vertical, most if not all of the water would completely drain out. So you could use them in freezing temperatures without worring about it. Has this changed?
jimh	posted 11-09-2008 09:21 AM ET (US) I recommend you consult the owner's manual for advice for your particular motor. If the motor is at risk for having entrapped water that could freeze and cause damage, that risk should be mentioned prominently in the owner's manual, and a procedure for draining the water should be be provided.
swist	posted 11-09-2008 04:15 PM ET (US) Obviously you are right Jim, but if it is the case that some newer motors don't self drain, then here is yet another step backwards for what used to be the simplicity of outboards. We have already lost the weight battle with the heft of 4-stroke and DI 2-strokes. We now need 12.7 volts and not a millivolt less and AGM batteries to start some models. I am starting to wonder if sterndrives (gak) are going to start coming back since all the things that (usually unfavorably) differentiated them from outboards seem to be disappearing.
jimh	posted 11-09-2008 07:40 PM ET (US) A sterndrive is known as a mechanic's annuity. Yes, some modern outboards seem to be approaching that sort of high maintenance level previously held only for sterndrives.
itl	posted 11-10-2008 03:35 AM ET (US) "No expert but I have read most if not all outboards hold some water in the lower units that can freeze. Is this wrong?" That is true, no matter is the outboard old or new, 2 stroke dfi or 4 stroke. Water pump for example does not self drain. There is a risk to damage the pump's impeller if you start the motor in freezing temperatures. To avoid water pump damages, some people add anti-freeze to flushing water when they winterize the outboard or are using the outboard during wintertime. I believe that is the case with that Honda BF130 as well. Also, some engines may need to be trimmed negastive angle and turn the engine from stdb to port as or wice versa to drain all water away.
A2J15Sport	posted 11-10-2008 03:40 AM ET (US) As stated, may I suggest reading the most maligned book, in the world. THE OWNERS MAUNAL. Most outboards drain-fully-if stored vertically. Don't take my word for it, READ THE BOOK.
Slick 50	posted 11-10-2008 09:21 AM ET (US) Got to thinking about what and where I read and about possible freeze of lower units. On the "screamandfly forum it is mentioned about low water pick-up lower units. Sorry to generalize all outboards.
Buckda	posted 11-10-2008 10:07 AM ET (US) My E-TEC manual recommends that after the winterization is comoplete, to crank the motor once (or as quickly as you can) to expel any remaining water from the water pump. I describe this brief start and stall (use the kill switch!), and "coughing" the motor - very quick and brief. I just did this to my motors on Saturday as the boat went back to the barn to await a nice weekend (unlikely till April).
swist	posted 11-11-2008 06:18 PM ET (US) Well I can assure you that at some point in ancient history, your average outboard shed enough water when kept vertical to not freeze up. Whether the water in the impeller drained completely or not, I have no idea, but if there was any left, it wasn't enough to cause a problem. Water that is not under pressure and which does not completely fill a cavity can freeze and expand without causing damage.