winterizing 2 stroke outboard

[hunkydory]

This is our first year winterizing our boat, we've been reading lots of posts but still not sure on this: Do you need to run stabilizer through motor and fog the carburetor or can you get by with just fogging?
Thanks!

 

[Rich Stidger]

I put stabilizer in a SMALL quantity of fuel and run the entire amount out in the engine. As it is beginning to stall from the lack of fuel, I fog the carb. After it quits, I pull out the spark plug and spray some additional fog in the cylinder and turn it over slowly to distribute the fog oil on the cylinder walls.

I then wash the exterior with fresh water, grease any lube points, check the zinc and replace if required.

I drain the lower end oil and verify that it is not milky with water. Then I refill it with fresh oil. I pull out the starter rope and examine it's length for wear.

Finally I make a check list of what I have done so I don't forget.

I store the outboard in an up-right position (not lying down) for the winter. An outboard stored horizontally can allow a small amount of cooling water that may still be in the engine run back into the cylinders and damage the power head.

 

[Raftco]

I would recomend doing exactly what Rich wrote. The stabilizer will help you in 2 ways: quicker starting in the Spring, and keeping any water from freezing in your system. Always a good idea to run stabilizer through any gas on any engine during the winter. I'm sure you can find a wealth of info by searching the forum. Good luck!

 

[Manny]

While your at it, don't forget a new impeller. Also you might as well replace the spark plug(s) when fogging the piston(s). New fuel filter would be good also.

Manny