Small outboard maintenace question

[Nick2]

What should I do to service/winterise my 4hp Merc outboard ? I have seen some idiot guides in the boat magazines but they seem a bit technical for me.....

Am I correct in thinking that there may be some simple laying up proceedures to be carried out prior to winter and perhaps a professional service next year?

Otherwise........can someone suggest a reasonable service engineer close to either Windsor/Marlow/Maidenhead etc on Thames or Southampton area which may prove to be a safer option for me ?

Nick

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[hlb]

Personaly I just through mine down the cellar for the winter, then bring it out next year. It's about 12 years old and still going fine!!

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Haydn

 

[lanason]

I've got the same engine and it will stay in the garage - unless we move house in which case who knows ???

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[duncan]

just run the engine with the fuel off to empty the carb - the rest as teh gang have already intimated is 'optional' - ie not proven to make a difference!

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[longjohnsilver]

In addition i would flush it through with fresh water, that's all I've ever done with mine and so far no problems.

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[paulrossall]

Run the engine for a bit in fresh water to clean any saltwater out, then close off the fuel supply so all the petrol empties out of the carbereta. Next year run it again with clean water at home for a bit to make sure it is working OK. I also put some Redex in the petrol every so often as it cleans out the jets. I have found in the past that if the engine will not idle properly all I have to do is put through the stronger mixture detailed on the Redex bottle and engine then runs OK after the Redex has cleaned it out.
I was very sceptical about Redex until I used it to clean out the fuel system in my fuel injection engined car and I would not have believed the results if someone else had told me.

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[duncan]

my mistake - I had somehow got the impression that it was used on the non tidal Thames - silly me!

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[Nick2]

Engine only used in south coast salty water - we just live quite close to Thames thats all....

Nick

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[BarryH]

All I ever did with my two strokes was to flush with fresh water, run the petrol out of the carb. it evaporates and leaves a sticky goo if you don't. Change the g/box oil if it needs it, grease the grease points/linkages and propshaft. Take out spark plug and squirt small amount of twostroke oil in plug hole and turn it over a couple of times to protect bore/s from garage rash. Spray power head with duck oil and wash down outside with soapy water. Put it some where dry that doesn't have big temp changes.

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[Nick2]

Thanks Barry - I will do just that

Nick

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[andy_wilson]

Rinse thouroghly outside and in with fresh water (the latter best acheived by running in a barrel of water).

While hot, treat with 'tune up' additive or Redex in an attempt to de-gum and de-coke the interior, ensure free rings etc.

When running to clear out the remains of the above treatment, disconnect fuel and as it approaches running out (guess) squirt copious amounts of storeage fogging oil into the inlet to coat all internal surfaces with a protective layer (introducing a teaspoon full of 2 stroke oil into the upper cylinder is better than nowt, but doesn't protect the carburettor / crankcase / big ends / reed valves etc.). Better if you can't use proprietory fogging oil, to use a heavy mix of 2 stroke to protect the innards.

Change gear oil.

Thoroughly clean and dry under the hood and spray with Duck Oil - undoubtedly the best substance there is for this purpose.

Grease all service points.

Check impellor in leg.

Touch up paint where required, especially on lower leg.

Lovingly clean and wax the exterior.

Store in a dry, airy location, frost free, with a dust sheet over it.

In the spring, remove and clean the spark plugs, and gently turn over a few times to ensure everything is free.

Apply FRESH fuel / oil mix and start.

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