Failure to winterize = dead engine? Restoration potential?
The only thing you really have to do to winterize an outboard is to put
it away in a verticle position so the water drains out and doesn't
freeze. If you had any water leak into your lower unit you're in
trouble, though.
Everything else is recommended (and usually a good idea, I might add!).
This includes fogging, lower unit grease change, greasing the prop
shaft, 4 stroke oil change, gas treatment, etc. I would venture to say
most outboards don't even get a goodnight kiss before the cold winds
blow around them, and I live in Minnesota, where it was just -24.
It's too late to worry about it anyway, but I bet it will work fine when
the water gets soft again.
Capt. Jeff
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