Outboard motor winter storage

[Anduril]

Run the carborator dry first, or not?
What do you do?
..
 

[Bigeasy]

I have heard to schools of thought on that one.  One is that doing so will cause gaskets and seals to dry out, causing leaks.  The other is to fill your gas tank, add the appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer, then run the engine until the stabilized gas in the carburetors, then let it sit.  I do the latter, and along with pulling the plugs and pouring a little oil down the cylinders, and draining any water from the lower end, I have had no problems.  Their is also a fogger you can spray under the engine cowling that helps prevent corrosion.
 
Larry

[Savage]

I have heard to schools of thought on that one.  One is that doing so will cause gaskets and seals to dry out, causing leaks.  The other is to fill your gas tank, add the appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer, then run the engine until the stabilized gas in the carburetors, then let it sit.  I do the latter, and along with pulling the plugs and pouring a little oil down the cylinders, and draining any water from the lower end, I have had no problems.  Their is also a fogger you can spray under the engine cowling that helps prevent corrosion.
 
Larry

Good advice! If you use a stabilizer, use the Marine Formula "Sta-Bil" ethanol treatment. Assuming you're not using ethanol free gasoline. It's a really good idea to fog the carburetors too if you're storing it for several months. Don't forget to remove the batteries and store them somewhere where it doesn't freeze, check the water levels, and maintain the charge while in storage.
Savage

[Empty Quiver]

Do not under estimate how bad ethanol fuels are for a stored engine.
 
 I am a believer in leaving stabilized fuel in the system. I would make an exception however if I were dealing wth Ethanol blended fuel. The blue stabilizers are supposed to work in the Ethanol fuels, and likely do just fine. But emptying the system is pretty danged fool proof.
 
 Run the fogging oil through the air intake as well, simply follow the directions.
 
 Most certainly drain the lower unit oil and replace with new right then and there. If you find water in there you have plenty of time for repairs, and you have saved the lower end from freezing and breaking.

[flintlock]

I run Startron and fuel stabilizer in my outboard year round...I've owned the same 50hp Evinrude since 1998, never drained the carbs...I charge the barreries and try to run the motor for about 15-20 minutes once a month during the winter...That's it...