I've spent a good portion of the day getting Mallard ready to go into the barn for the long winter ahead. Part of that entails changing the oil and filters so that the engine will sit with fresh in it oil during the cold weather. Although it is very tempting to simply roll the boat into the shed or cover with shrink wrapping and then forget about it all until the spring recommissioning it is always best to service the engine before the boat is laid up for any length of time.
Engine oil holds impurities in suspension and sucking out the oil removes these. One of the main contaminants is sulphur and if left stagnant in the oil will combine with condensation which forms within a cold engine and turn into sulphuric acid and thus begin eating away at your very expensive motor from the insides out.
As an aide memoir as to when I actually changed the oil I like to write the date on the filter then as the next service interval approaches I will not be trying to wrack my brain as to when the oil and filter was actually swapped.
Although I have a check list that I work through each end of season there are some things that do have to be done before the boat goes back into the water. After winterizing the boat I therefore attach a note as shown over the ignition switch so that the engine cannot be started without removing the label and running through the essentials that absolutely have to be done.
By way of an explanation of the things shown on the list above.
The raw water pump has been removed for inspection and replacement but has been left out for the winter so that the vanes will not take up a 'set' or deflection from which they may take some time to recover.
Although the filters have been changed in the fuel line, bugs and algae can grow so I like to change these once more before putting the boat back into the water and firing up the engine. Algae in the fuel can clog lines and injectors and cause all sorts of problems, new filters will avoid this malady.
Checking the oil levels is self explanatory and should be done each time the engine is operated anyhow.
I like to stuff a rag into the air intake to prevent spiders and other critters from nesting there. if the engine is started without removing the rag it will get sucked into the engine and cause a ton of damage.
I like to change the anode in the engine at least once per year, but mine was not too badly eroded this year and after inspection has some life left in it so I put it back. I have a new one on order and as soon as it comes in I will replace it although in my case it is not critical to do this immediately.
Do you have a complete list of what you do for winterizing a gas engine into 'deep storage'? I've been given a 25' Lyman (older family member doesn't want to launch/pay for it next year) and have to get it out of the water here in Maine and stored long term until I can find a buyer.
Thx,
Mr. Dollar Panicky ;>
Posted by: D Tew | October 27, 2009 at 07:51 PM