Skipping a winterizing step if out only once

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Author Topic:   Skipping a winterizing step if out only once

Wet Foot posted 11-19-2004 02:40 PM ET (US)
Hi Guys,
Is it necessary to change lower unit lube before winter storage in cold northern states? My new Dauntlass arrived in the fall and I was out only once. Should I change it in the spring or skip it entirely? The engine is brand new.
Also, should I change my spark plugs in the spring since I am fogging the engine with storage oil? Hate to replace new plugs unless the storage oil hurts them.
I have a 125 HP Mercury and an 8 HP 4 stroke kicker.
Thanks for any advice!
The Judge posted 11-19-2004 03:04 PM ET (US)
No and No
Changing foot lube is because of water possibly being in it and you don't want it to freeze, being new...
The plugs can be used again after running out the fog oil, I have used some sets over a couple of seasons but I always carry an extra set in case they decide to foul on me one day.
Buckda posted 11-19-2004 03:08 PM ET (US)
Agreed - you should change based on possibility of freeze, rather than based on use. It will cost you less than 20 bucks and 15 minutes' time from project start to clean-up, and could save you hundreds.
It is cheap insurance.
My 15 only had 11 hours on her this summer (I know...someone call the department of boats and boater's services to report a case of Whaler neglect), but I still changed the lube and fogged the cylinders.
Dave
jimh posted 11-19-2004 07:58 PM ET (US)
If you are talking about a brand new engine and it has been run only once, I don't think you HAVE to change the oil. It ought to make it over the winter.
I'd leave the plugs alone. Fire it up in the spring, let the oil burn off, and give it a few runs. Then, if you want, you can change the plugs.
wwknapp posted 11-19-2004 09:40 PM ET (US)
I run plugs until they need changing. It's not hard to learn to identify that. And it's usually many years. It was more often when I used 2 strokes. Though I had a secret weapon, a neon sign transformer. It would feed 15,000 volts to a spark plug until everything was clean, usually less than ten minutes. Only broken or worn plugs needed to ever be replaced. I've got 4 years on the plugs in my Honda 4 stroke and it purrs along just fine. Never needed cleaning, still gapped to spec.
I'd think you'd need a fair amount of water in the lower unit to freeze and crack it. Kind of hard to see how running a brand new motor for a hour could do that. Unless, as someone mentioned you were feeding it fishing line. My bet is if you check it that the oil will look brand new.
Walt
Wet Foot posted 11-20-2004 12:27 AM ET (US)
Thanks everyone. It looks like we're tied on changing or not changing the lower unit lube. I'm glad everyone agrees to the plugs being ok; they're $13.00 each on the Merc 125 HP for the recommended NGK brand.
John O posted 11-20-2004 12:39 AM ET (US)
Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop seems to have the best price on the Mercury plugs

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Author	Topic: Skipping a winterizing step if out only once
Wet Foot	posted 11-19-2004 02:40 PM ET (US) Hi Guys, Is it necessary to change lower unit lube before winter storage in cold northern states? My new Dauntlass arrived in the fall and I was out only once. Should I change it in the spring or skip it entirely? The engine is brand new. Also, should I change my spark plugs in the spring since I am fogging the engine with storage oil? Hate to replace new plugs unless the storage oil hurts them. I have a 125 HP Mercury and an 8 HP 4 stroke kicker. Thanks for any advice!
The Judge	posted 11-19-2004 03:04 PM ET (US) No and No Changing foot lube is because of water possibly being in it and you don't want it to freeze, being new... The plugs can be used again after running out the fog oil, I have used some sets over a couple of seasons but I always carry an extra set in case they decide to foul on me one day.
Buckda	posted 11-19-2004 03:08 PM ET (US) Agreed - you should change based on possibility of freeze, rather than based on use. It will cost you less than 20 bucks and 15 minutes' time from project start to clean-up, and could save you hundreds. It is cheap insurance. My 15 only had 11 hours on her this summer (I know...someone call the department of boats and boater's services to report a case of Whaler neglect), but I still changed the lube and fogged the cylinders. Dave
jimh	posted 11-19-2004 07:58 PM ET (US) If you are talking about a brand new engine and it has been run only once, I don't think you HAVE to change the oil. It ought to make it over the winter. I'd leave the plugs alone. Fire it up in the spring, let the oil burn off, and give it a few runs. Then, if you want, you can change the plugs.
wwknapp	posted 11-19-2004 09:40 PM ET (US) I run plugs until they need changing. It's not hard to learn to identify that. And it's usually many years. It was more often when I used 2 strokes. Though I had a secret weapon, a neon sign transformer. It would feed 15,000 volts to a spark plug until everything was clean, usually less than ten minutes. Only broken or worn plugs needed to ever be replaced. I've got 4 years on the plugs in my Honda 4 stroke and it purrs along just fine. Never needed cleaning, still gapped to spec. I'd think you'd need a fair amount of water in the lower unit to freeze and crack it. Kind of hard to see how running a brand new motor for a hour could do that. Unless, as someone mentioned you were feeding it fishing line. My bet is if you check it that the oil will look brand new. Walt
Wet Foot	posted 11-20-2004 12:27 AM ET (US) Thanks everyone. It looks like we're tied on changing or not changing the lower unit lube. I'm glad everyone agrees to the plugs being ok; they're $13.00 each on the Merc 125 HP for the recommended NGK brand.
John O	posted 11-20-2004 12:39 AM ET (US) Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop seems to have the best price on the Mercury plugs