suggestions for cleaning outboard before winter layup

lenten

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have washed the outside with plenty of fresh water but engine underneath the cover is grubby and possibly salty----whats the best way to clean and finish---oil spray??---------------thanks for any suggestions
 
Run it in a bucket/tub of fresh water for a few minutes (it may be necessary to remove the prop first, depends on size of engine vs. bucket) , turn off fuel tap &let it run dry. Empty tank. Hose it down liberally with fresh water. Spray it if you like with WD40. Store upright with filler cap removed but a couple of sheets of kitchen towel around the filler hole secured with an elastic band.
If the cover is grubby underneath take it off and wash it in paraffin, rinse with fresh.
 
thanks O B------i hadn t thought about cleaning the engine with parafin----could work-----although i flush the engine with fresh water after sea use i always like to finish the season with a trip on the thames----and give the trailer a good dunk in fresh water-----had that last wednesday ----6 hours between sunbury and staines and back----lovely hot day
 
I would spray the engine with degreaser, don't hose it, clean off with hot water and a cloth.
Run the engine with the cover off, let it warm up to dry it out.
Then I tend to spray the actual engine with GT85 and wipe over.
Turn off the fuel, drain the carb via the drain screw.
A drop of oil on all fasteners.
A squirt of cheap wax polish on the external bits and wipe over.
My little outboard, I tend to empty the tank and use the fuel in the strimmer or whatever.
Being a 2T, I can just upend the thing over a funnel to drain the tank. A quick blow through the fuel hose clears the strainer in the tank.
Leave the tank sealed.
 
have washed the outside with plenty of fresh water but engine underneath the cover is grubby and possibly salty----whats the best way to clean and finish---oil spray??---------------thanks for any suggestions

Why not clean the power head and under the cowl in general in much the same way as you clean your car engine and the under bonnet area ?
 
Why not clean the power head and under the cowl in general in much the same way as you clean your car engine and the under bonnet area ?

i.e. never.
But then I don't leave my car engine unused and corroding for 4 months of the year. And my car engine bay is not so exposed to salt air.

Or maybe you clean your car engine by driving through fresh water spray/rain at 60mph and letting it air dry from hot under the bonnet?

Comparisons with best practice in cleaning motorbike engines are possibly more valid.
 
hi vics----only time i have had car engine cleaned----it was steam cleaned----seemed a bit extreme for an outboard----in one way i thought just leave the dirt---its mixed with fallen grease from moving parts and as it got an oily nature might actually be protecting the engine----that was my previous slobby approach but i now think its time for a good clean and a spray with some sort of oil---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------thanks for diagram for drain screw for carb-----easy to find----easy to use
 
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