Hey its been awhile since ive posted last.
I work at the marina that coolwater used to work at..
All the outboards we winterize, two stroke or four, make and model doesen't matter, we run them on a mix of two stroke/fogging oil and stabil(mixed heavy so they smoke) for about 8 to 10 minutes,it coats the carbs and cylinders..
VERY IMPORTANT... If you don't want to change the lube in the lower, atleast pull the plug and check for water. When you pull the bottom plug, if there's any water, it will come out first.
TRUST ME, ATLEAST CHECK THE BOTTOM PLUG.
WATER LEFT IN THE LOWER UNIT WILL FREEZE AND CRACK THE LOWER UNIT CASE. SEEN IT........
Best of luck to the crew on the rest of the season....Pete
Main reason i said that about the lower end, Sometimes you never know and i don't know about anyone else but i sure wouldn't want to pull out in the spring find out there was water in there it froze and cracked the housing Good Point Pete!!!!!!!!! Take Care God Bless and Tight Lines LOL Dave From up North
Definitely good idea to check the lower unit. Its just you don't need or even want to replace it more frequently than recommended by the manufacturer. Pete's description of what they do at his marina sounds exactlty like my local Honda tech was doing.
Now we all know how to winterize on our own, right?
Joe G: do you have a recommended schedule for changing the oil in the lower unit? Also, I thought you needed a special pump / attachment to pump in the new gear oil. After the 20-hr. service, my manual says I don't need to replace (but should still check) the lower unit oil until 200 hours. Whats your experience? -Eric
I have had a 1993 15 HP Johnson for the past few years. I just make sure I change the lower unit oil before there is a frost. I tell the guy at West Marine what type motor and he gave me the lube and pump for it. Very easy to do
Likewise Joe. I think I'll look into getting what I need to change the oil in the lower unit this year. I was going to check it, but changing it can't hurt.
