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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods Winterization
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Author | Topic: Winterization |
Jon J |
posted 09-28-2009 02:10 PM ET (US)
I am looking for some help in Winterizing my (2) 2004 Merc 225 Optimax Saltwater Series engines. I have the owners manual, but was looking for something a little clearer. |
L H G |
posted 09-28-2009 02:32 PM ET (US)
EFI and Optimax engines don't need much, and fogging oil is specifically NOT recommended, just regular engine oil and QuickClean. Everything you need to know is here: http://www.mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/outboardfaqs/ winterization.php |
Buckda |
posted 09-28-2009 02:43 PM ET (US)
Jon - We'll need help with the specific areas on which you need clarification. Until then, here are some general recommendations (assuming you've never winterized a motor before). 1.) Add the correct ratio of fuel stabilizer to your tank; run the engine on flush muffs or in clean, fresh water for 10-15 minutes. Hope that helps – the OptiMax has some additional rubber belts that drive the air compressor – I’d do some research on belt maintenance (is there a belt dressing that is appropriate?) and figure out if you need to oil the compressor at all. Good luck! Dave |
Buckda |
posted 09-28-2009 02:49 PM ET (US)
While I disagree that the link provided provides "everything" you need to know (other than their recommendation to let a dealer do the service), - especially for an OptiMax motor, I will acknowledge that I missed something in my list above. Be sure to inspect your anodes for wear and replace as appropriate. Let's hope that a member who actually owns an OptiMax can chime in here on the specifics for powerhead storage. My motor makes that easy, as it is an automated procedure controlled by the engine's on-board computer - but the remainder of my list is what I do for all of my motors, regardless of technology employed, and excepting my inherited 6 HP Johnson Seahorse which was long-ago painted black with some spray paint (sacrilege!!) But if you look at the powerhead itself, it looks like it could have rolled off the assembly line last year. Dave |
Buckda |
posted 09-28-2009 04:26 PM ET (US)
Did a tiny bit more research for you considering the debate here and elsewhere on the web re: Fogging oil in these motors. They recommend that you NOT USE FOGGING OIL in these motors as it may cause the injector components to stick. They recommend TC-W3 oil directly in the cylinder as I described above. Sounds good to me. I'm guessing that this is partly what the E-TEC does when running the self-winterization program. As it decreases fuel to the cylinders, it increases the oil delivery rate to coat the cylinder walls directly before shut-down. The Evinrude manual also recommends that you "cough" the motor a final time (i.e. one turn of the key and immediate shut down) to expel any water in the water pump housing, but I do NOT do this, nor do I recommend it as running that pump "dry" can decrease it's efficiency/life. |
Jon J |
posted 09-28-2009 07:05 PM ET (US)
Dave!!! WOW You are the best! Thank you VERY much for all the time and effort that you put into this! This will be incredibly helpful, AND I have plenty of time to get started and familiarize myself with all of this. I appreciate everything you have done here Jon |
jimh |
posted 09-29-2009 09:30 AM ET (US)
I got a laugh out of that Mercury link. The answer to the question, "How do I prepare my motor for long term storage," is "take it to your dealer." Here is a general procedure for preparing an older OMC two-cycle engine for long lay up. It may be useful as a general guideline for other brands and types of engines: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/winterizeOMC.html |
K Albus |
posted 09-29-2009 09:55 AM ET (US)
Optimax motors are not winterized in the same manner as older two stroke motors. I ran a Google search on "mercury optimax 225 owners manual" and found an online copy of the owners manual at the following link: http://www.pdfgeni.com/book/mercury-225-optimax-outboard-manual-pdf.html . Scroll down and click on "200/225/250 Optimax" and you'll get a download of a PDF file of the owners manual. The owners manual contains very detailed instructions for winterizing the motor. While the original poster asked for "something a little clearer", I can't imagine how what could be any clearer than the procedure outlined in the owners manual. If he has specific questions, perhaps he can get some answers specific to his motor, rather than the generic winterization tips that have been posted. |
Buckda |
posted 09-29-2009 11:21 AM ET (US)
Kevin - Respectfully, I'm reading the manual that you generously provided a link to and can't find much difference from what they recommend and my "generic winterization tips" posted above. The only specific difference is the recommendation to drain and re-charge the fuel delivery system, which in my notes above I mentioned would be important to consult the manual for. ???Why the hate?? |
Tohsgib |
posted 09-29-2009 11:33 AM ET (US)
Move to Florida ;) |
K Albus |
posted 09-29-2009 01:02 PM ET (US)
No hate here, Dave. I didn't take the time to thoroughly compare your list to the Optimax manual. I just know from dealing with my own Optimax that the procedure is different from that for a "regular" two stroke. I also know from dealing with my own Optimax that the owners manual has very detailed instructions for winterizing the motor. I guess I was just wondering if the original poster had some questions about those instructions. In case others don't know, I live in Michigan. One year I decided not to winterize my Optimax 135. Instead, I took my boat to the local launch ramp about once a month, backed it down the ramp, put the motor in the water, started it up, and let it run for about 15 minutes. I tried to do this on the first of each month, but the water at the ramp was frozen over in January and February. My motor only went a little more than two months without being started. The only bad side effect was that the boat got covered in road grime and rock salt from trailering on the winter roads. I saved a few dollars on winterization, but it wasn't worth the hassle. |
jimh |
posted 09-29-2009 06:14 PM ET (US)
Winterization is the bomb. You can put the boat away for six months and get back in touch with other projects your wife has been accumulating for you. |
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