How to Winterize an Outboard Engine in Canada

Outboard Engines

It is important to take proper care of the outboard engine on your boat. Following proper winterizing techniques may not be as important in warmer climates, but Canada has brutal winters that can devastate your boat motor if it is not properly protected. Winterizing your boat engine is important for anyone who lives in Canada. If done properly, it is an easy routine to follow and won't take much time.

Things You'll Need

• Fogging oil Screwdriver set Spark plug gapper Gear lubrication Engine oil

Instructions

1. Drain the fuel from your outboard engine. Fuel left to settle over the winter will develop a gummy substance that will clog your engine if it is allowed to cycle through the outboard motor. This happens especially fast in the cold Canadian winter. To remove fuel from the engine, disconnect the fuel line and allow the fuel to pour into a gas can or other container. When most of the fuel has drained away, start the motor to burn off any fuel that remains in the carburetor or other engine compartments. Reconnect the fuel line when finished.

2. Spray fogging oil into your carburetor's intake valves. "Spray Fog" is a popular brand of fogging oil that is used. For best results, spray the oil into your carburetor while the outboard engine is still running, before the last bit of fuel is burned off of the engine to help the oil circulate through the carburetor. The fogging oil acts as an anti-corrosive that prevents rust from forming inside your carburetor. This is important since you will not be using the engine during the Canadian winter, since dormant parts are prone to forming rust deposits.

3. Drain the water from your outboard motor. Winter temperatures dip far below freezing in Canada. If water is left in your boat motor it will freeze and bust the heads on the engine. To prevent this from happening, remove all standing water from the cooling system. Remove the flush tank from the motor and drain the water from it. Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on the flush tank, as well as on how to locate the drain plug. Open the drain plug on the engine and attempt to start the motor so that any water in the water pump will be released.

4. Fog the cylinders on your outboard engine. Winters in Canada can be very long, and an unused engine can develop rust if measures are not taken to protect against it. Remove the spark plugs from your engine to spray fogging oil directly into the cylinders. Manually turn the flywheel a few times to spread the oil around the inside of the crank case. This is also a good time to regap or perhaps even replace your spark plugs before returning them to the outboard engine.

5. Replace your gear grease. Refer to your owner's manual for the location of the drain plug for the gear lubricant, which is usually located at the bottom of the engine. The manual should also specify a lubricant recommended by the manufacturer for use in your outboard engine. When winterizing your motor in Canada, you should replace the gear lubricant each year. Simply open the drain plug at the bottom of the engine and begin pouring the new lubricant in at the top. Gravity will force the old grease out. Replace the plug when you begin seeing new lubricant come out the bottom.

6. Fill the oil tank on your outboard engine. Since winter is so cold in Canada, water condensation can form in any empty compartments. This condensation is typically frozen but will thaw during spring. It is important to prevent this from happening in the oil tank, since water in your motor oil can create engine sludge. Fill the oil tank with the oil recommended by the manufacturer in the owner's manual of your outboard motor.

Tips & Warnings

• It is also a good idea to remove the propeller blades so that you can remove any accumulated fishing line and apply a generous coating of lubrication to the propeller shaft.

Resources

• Winterizing Your Engine
• Boat Winterization