02-18-2003, 11:28 PM
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#122629][size 3]For all you guys getting into this cold weather boat fishing there are a few points of interest in how you operate and maintain your outboard motors in cold and freezing conditions. I thought I knew enough but apparently not; my motor is in the shop being repaired because of a lack of education on cold water / ice operation. So without letting you know how much I didn’t know here are a few things to save you the trouble of having to repair your motor due to improper cold weather maintenance and operation [/size][/#122629][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629] [/#122629][/size][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][#122629][size 3]Even though outboards naturally drain, which makes them desirable in cold weather conditions; they do not fully drain all the water from the system. There is still water that can be contained by the water pump impellers. Removing this water is a simple but necessary requirement. To remove the remaining water, you need to crank the motor AFTER you have trailered the boat and it is out of the water. With a pull start, slowly pull the rope to rotate the engine 4 to 5 times to remove the water. Now this is not a sure fire way to remove water from the sophisticated, temperature sensor controlled outboard. If your motor is still warm, you should be able to expel the water. If the motor has cooled down and the valve is closed, you may not be able to expel the water. Consult your dealer for details.[/size][/#122629][/font][/li][/ul]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629] [/#122629][/size][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][#122629][size 3]When you have trailered your boat in cold, below freezing weather, allow the boat to sit in the water for several minutes before starting so it can thaw any unwanted icing. The motor could be so cold that the first water to contact it may freeze to it, impeding the flow of enough water to sufficiently cool you motor thus causing it to over heat. Also if there is ice in the impellers and you try to start it, you could damage the impeller blades or the water pump. Not a good thing when you’re racing down the lake and your motor is overheated and going into melt down. Remember it does not take long to damage an outboard from over heating. I’ve been told less than 30 seconds depending on the conditions.[/size][/#122629][/font][/li][/ul]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629] [/#122629][/size][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629]Always run fuel stabilizers and fuel drying additives in your fuel. Water can condense even in a tightly sealed tank and that water can freeze in the carburetor causing the motor to run badly. If this occurs, do not run at full throttle, as you will build up heat in the motor and cause overheating problems. Idle or motor home at low speeds. [/#122629][/size][/font][/li][/ul]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][#122629][size 3]I’m sure there are more common sense things a guy can do to prevent problems in cold weather but these are a few things that can save you some engine repairs. I’m lucky, a new water pump and I’m back in business. It could have been a lot worse.[/size][/#122629][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629] [/#122629][/size][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][#122629][size 3]Even though outboards naturally drain, which makes them desirable in cold weather conditions; they do not fully drain all the water from the system. There is still water that can be contained by the water pump impellers. Removing this water is a simple but necessary requirement. To remove the remaining water, you need to crank the motor AFTER you have trailered the boat and it is out of the water. With a pull start, slowly pull the rope to rotate the engine 4 to 5 times to remove the water. Now this is not a sure fire way to remove water from the sophisticated, temperature sensor controlled outboard. If your motor is still warm, you should be able to expel the water. If the motor has cooled down and the valve is closed, you may not be able to expel the water. Consult your dealer for details.[/size][/#122629][/font][/li][/ul]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629] [/#122629][/size][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][#122629][size 3]When you have trailered your boat in cold, below freezing weather, allow the boat to sit in the water for several minutes before starting so it can thaw any unwanted icing. The motor could be so cold that the first water to contact it may freeze to it, impeding the flow of enough water to sufficiently cool you motor thus causing it to over heat. Also if there is ice in the impellers and you try to start it, you could damage the impeller blades or the water pump. Not a good thing when you’re racing down the lake and your motor is overheated and going into melt down. Remember it does not take long to damage an outboard from over heating. I’ve been told less than 30 seconds depending on the conditions.[/size][/#122629][/font][/li][/ul]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629] [/#122629][/size][/font] [ul] [li][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629]Always run fuel stabilizers and fuel drying additives in your fuel. Water can condense even in a tightly sealed tank and that water can freeze in the carburetor causing the motor to run badly. If this occurs, do not run at full throttle, as you will build up heat in the motor and cause overheating problems. Idle or motor home at low speeds. [/#122629][/size][/font][/li][/ul]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][#122629] [/#122629][/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][#122629][size 3]I’m sure there are more common sense things a guy can do to prevent problems in cold weather but these are a few things that can save you some engine repairs. I’m lucky, a new water pump and I’m back in business. It could have been a lot worse.[/size][/#122629][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#122629][size 3][/size][/#122629][/font]
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