2 stroke outboard - long term storage

[FWB]

Reading the article in Aug PBO makes me think I should buy a spare small 2 stroke outboard for use in the future.
Can I just store it as is, unused, or should I fill the bore with oil? What is the best way to store it?

 

[JKay]

If you was to buy a new one put two tea spoons of oil

down the spark plug hole and pull once manually ..no spark

cheers Joe

 

[Mirelle]

May I recommend a Seagull? They stand long term storage, ashore or afloat, very well because of the materials used. Comprehensive advice on laying up and recommissioning is available, along with everything else to do with them, on John Williams' Saving Old Seagulls website. And he's a good bloke.

Mine started literally first pull this spring. It's thirty - three years old and spent twenty of those at the back of a garage.

 

[Guest]

I have to agree about the Seagull - they may be the most butt ugly and noisy b*****rs out ...... but they are legendary for being slung away in sheds etc. and years later started up ....

To be honest most small engines I think of traditional 2T would survive pretty well. Being an engine that has oil in petrol - means the bores will be "oily" so why not ...

I know there is a lot of support for changes to 4st engines ... but I'm still a 2T person ... they are generally lighter, easier to repair etc.

As more people change to 4st .... I am hoping that more and more 2T's come on s/hand market at cheaper prices !!

 

[Tisme]

I can understand the appeal of buying a new engine with the intention of storing it away for future use but, personally, I wouldn't do it.

Many engines just aren't designed for it. It's easy enough to protect the bores but many components like oil seals, wires and so on will stiffen up, soften up, oxidise etc etc over the years. Most of us would store an engine in either an attic or garage so it will still suffer the extremes of temperature over the years.

The worst car I ever had was one which had had very little use; it virtually had delivery mileage on it. I had problems with that car which I have never had with any other, oil leaks, water leaks, unreliabilty.

To all that I would add that it's quite likely that the manufacturers will probably start to introduce new 4 stroke engines which are better designed for the kind of use that a small outboard is likely to experience. The main problem seems to be engine oil spills due to storing the engine on the wrong side; surely someone will find a way around this?

 

[bobg]

One tip on storing any outboard is to store it upright - don't lay it down. Not sure why, but my outboard mechanic says upright is a golden rule.

 

[graham]

[ QUOTE ]
The main problem seems to be engine oil spills due to storing the engine on the wrong side; surely someone will find a way around this?


[/ QUOTE ]

This hasnt been a problem for us as the Suzuki has 2 lugs to rest it on on the correct side.The difficulty we had was that it would not fit in the cockpit locker we used to stow the old 2 stroke in.This meant struggling down into the cabin with it and stowing it in the quarter berth ,which was not an ideal solution.

I have built a hatch through the after part of my cockpit seat to store the outboard in vertically. Its next to the outboard well so its easy to transfer from the well to the stowage position.Im getting a canvas cover made to protect the motor and keep water from going into the locker .

Now that you cant just toss a small 2 stroke into a cockpit locker(as we used to)designers are going to have to give consideration to stowage of 4 stroke auxillaries on small yachts.

 

[graham]

Re the idea of buying a new 2 stroke to store away for future use.Perhaps a better solution would be to buy a spare outboard then take turns using it with the old one. Maybe use each one for a month or two then clean and oil it for storage while you use the other motor.

This will keep both motors working and give you a spare when the old one gives up the ghost(if it ever does).

 

[FWB]

I chuck the present one --merc 3.3--in a locker, never service it and use it a few times in the summer. It's 10 years old and always starts first time!
A four stroke is no use for me since it has to be stored the right way up.
I just wondered if a brand new unused engine would be ok to keep without special care. I guess from the way I treat the present one that I've answered my own question!

 

[Guest]

Ditto ...

have a Johnson 3.3 that is never serviced ... used 2 -3x a month .... only trouble I had was the shaft locking screw fell out - now fixed !

have a Mariner 3 .... donkeys years old - never serviced .... goes like a dream.

have a Johnson 4.5 - starts / runs well - but don't use as the waterways are blocked - must sort sometime ...