Download ArticleDownload ArticleX
How.com.vn is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time.
This article has been viewed 192,343 times.
Learn more...
Winterize your Mercruiser to prevent damage during the cold season.
Steps
Download Article
Read your engine's owner's manual and all safety precautions. Most owner's manuals have step-by-step winterization instructions.
Find any missing manual online at Stern Drive Manuals.Advertisement
Plan ahead and be aware that your engine has dangerous moving parts.
Perform a good tune-up to ensure the engine is running OK. Engine problems become worse while the engine sits.
Haul the boat out and clean the running gear, hull and sides.
Remove your hull drain plug while stored on land.
Run your engine on the garden hose with a good flushette to flush out any old salt water that might be sitting in the block and exhaust. Some owners prefer to run the engine on a 50:50 solution of antifreeze, using a hose and a bucket (above the level of the engine).
Add fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank and run the engine long enough to allow the stabilizer to get into the engine's fuel system.
Follow the directions for winterization and fuel stabilization in your engine owner's manual. Some people prefer to "fog" the engine. With the engine running at a high idle (with a water hose hooked up for cooling of course), slowly pour a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil down the throat of the carburetor. The engine will try to stall so rev the engine as not to let it stall just until your can of Marvel Mystery Oil is empty. Drop the RPM while you pour the last bit in faster, so as to cause the engine to stall. This will coat the inside valves and cylinder walls.
Locate all your engine's water drain plugs and hoses. For stern drive and inboard engines such as Mercruiser models the drain plugs are either brass or plastic.
Remove the drain plugs located on either side of the engine block.
Make sure that when you remove the drain plug that the water drains and that the passage is not plugged with rust.
Remove the drain plugs from the bottom of each exhaust manifold and make sure the passages are not plugged or clogged. Some models have drain plugs on either side of the exhaust elbow. Remove the plugs and make sure the passages drain.
Save all your drain plugs in a safe place for spring.
Unclamp and remove the large fat water hose from the front of your motor. This will allow more of the blocked passages to drain.
Remove any standing water from all hoses.
Remove any water from any oil coolers or power steering coolers.
Remove your propeller.
Drain your gear lube and fill your drive with the correct lube (see WikiHow how to Change your Mercruiser Gear Lube). Some owners prefer to either lock or remove their stern drive unit. Many owners remove the boats battery and place on trickle charge over the winter in a safe ventilated area.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
SubmitAdvertisement
Tips
- Save your plugs in a safe obvious location for the spring.Thanks
- Use factory recommended oils, lubes, grease and parts.Thanks
- Newer motors usually have blue plastic wingnut plugs.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Gasoline fumes will explode and will cause damage, injury or death.Thanks
- Follow all safety tips in your owners manual.Thanks
- Stay away from all moving parts.Thanks
- Fluids and chemicals can cause damage, injury or death. Always follow the directions on the product's label.Thanks
- Work in a well ventilated area.Thanks
- Read your owner's manual.Thanks
- Remove the prop before running the motor. A spinning prop can cause damage, injury or death. Kids love to play near the prop of your boat so use extreme caution.Thanks
- Use common sense!Thanks
Advertisement
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 192,343 times.
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
Advertisement
