How to Winterize a Yamaha 225 Vapor Canister VMAX

Preparing you Yamaha 225 vapor canister VMAX outboard motor for winter's long-term storage is about taking the motor to a state best described as "cold iron." The goal is to remove every bit of moisture, put in new oil and filters, and put the motor to bed in such a way that the season's cold temperatures and temperature fluctuations will do no harm to the electrical, fuel or lubrication systems.

Things You'll Need

• Motor storage rack
• Fuel stabilizer
• Water separating fuel filter
• Flushing attachment
• Pre-wired paper tags
• Spark plug wrench
• Fogging oil
• Gear lubricant
• Funnel
• Gas can
• Screwdriver
• Smart charger or trickle charger

Instructions

1. Install a new water separating fuel filter before the last outing of the season, and add 1 ounce of fuel stabilizer for each gallon of your tank's capacity to a gas can that contains a gallon of gas. Agitate this gas can and pour it into your tank. Fill your tank at the fuel dock before you go boating. After you return from your trip, mount the motor on its storage rack.

2. Attach a flushing attachment to a garden hose and connect the hose to a water source. Set the ends of the flushing attachment over the cooling water inlets. Turn the water on full. Start the engine and lift the fast idle lever. Let the motor run for 10 to 15 minutes to flush the cooling system. Stop the engine and take the flushing attachment off. Let the motor's cooling system drain completely.

3. Remove the plug wires and tag the wires with pre-wired paper tags. Remove the spark plugs with a spark plug wrench. Apply fogging oil to the motor through the spark plug bores. Turn the flywheel clockwise, by hand, to distribute the oil evenly across the walls of the cylinders. Reinstall the spark plugs, but leave the leads disconnected.

4. Drain and refill the engine gear case with gear lubricant while the oil is still warm. Take the opportunity to inspect the case for problems Removing the old, contaminated gear oil now and placing the motor into storage with fresh oil will help prevent internal corrosion.

5. Place a funnel and gas can beneath the vapor separator tank. Open the screw drain on the bottom of the the vapor separator tank with a screwdriver and allow any fuel present to drain.

6. Remove the battery or batteries from the boat. Attach them to a smart charger or to a trickle charger once a month to keep them charged.

References

• "Yamaha Outboard Repair, 2 -250 hp, 1-4 Cylinder, V4 and V6 Models, 2- and 4-Stroke Models, Including Jet Drives"; Seloc Marine; 2007