Getting ready for winter? As you enjoy the season’s final weeks of sea and sunshine, start preparing to winterize your boat.
Whether your boat has an outboard, gas inboard or stern drive engine, the following nine steps will assure quick, easy startups when warm weather returns in spring. Our mechanics in Apergis Group is the best team to take good care of your boat. These are the nine steps that need to be taken care of
STEP 1: REPLACE ENGINE OIL
Moisture and acids in old oil will pit bearings and other engine parts while in storage, so it needs to be drained. First the engine is warm up, in test tank, so more of the dirty oil will drain out and impurities will flush out more easily.
Then high-quality oil is used and filters as recommended by the engine’s manufacturer especially for 4-stroke outboard motors.
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STEP 2: FLUSH AND DRAIN COOLING WATER
To prevent damage from expanding water when it freezes, water is drain from engine.
For inboard and stern drive engines: We flush the engine with clean water by using water muffs until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
Next, we remove drain plugs. These are usually located in the engine block and manifold. We may also need to remove the water pump hose to drain remaining water.
For outboard engine maintenance: All drain holes must be open. Then start the engine and clean the cooling system by flushing it with fresh water for a few minutes.
STEP 3: STABILIZE FUEL
Fuel can deteriorate in as little as 60 days, causing gum and varnish to build up in the engine. This results in hard starting, poor performance and reduced engine life.
The easiest way to prevent these problems is by adding a high-quality marine fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel deterioration.
Then the tank is filled with fresh fuel to prevent corrosion-causing water condensation. Simply run the engine for a few minutes to get treated gas throughout the system.
Draining gasoline does not prevent varnish formation in engines since some fuel is always left behind. In addition, gaskets can dry out and cause leaks in the spring.
STEP 4: PROTECT INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS
While in storage, engine oil drains away. This exposes internal engine components to harsh elements in winter and can lead to corrosion and metal-to-metal contact, called cylinder scuffing, come spring.
To prevent these issues, use a fogging oil spray. This type of product is specially formulated to penetrate deep into the engine and coat parts with a protective layer of anti-corrosive compound.
STEP 5: REPLACE GEAR OIL
The lower unit of old gear oil should be drained and replaced with a fresh supply. When changing the gear oil, be sure to check for moisture. If water comes out first, or if there is milky or lumpy oil, this is an indication the boat is experiencing moisture contamination and will need new seals before next season.
STEP 6: GREASE AND LUBRICATE
Quality marine lubricants are used to protect against rust, corrosion and oxidation. All important areas are greased before winter storage.
STEP 7: REMOVE VALUABLES
Boatyards receive little traffic in the winter, which makes break-ins easy. Remove all valuables, including expensive electronics.
STEP 8: CLEAN AND WAX
STEP 9: COver
The best place to store the boat is in dry storage. At a minimum, you’ll need to cover your boat with a durable cover. Another good option is to shrink wrap your boat.
Mind to make an appointment with our team to schedule the winterizing of your boat:
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