I am about to winterize my Mercury 4-stroke 90hp engine.

Apart from using a stabilizer, is there anything else I should do to
minimize the effects of long duration storage of my boat? It will be
winterized next week and won't be in the water till next
June-July...This means the gas will be sitting in the tank for some
nine months. Since I don't use the boat enough to completely empty the
large 100 litre tank each year, a bit of that gas is from the previous
year.

I read many posts recommending the use of higher octane gasolines.
Is there any reason why the advantages of higher octane not apply to 4
strokes ?

André

Nine months is a lot. I would run this stuff through your car instead,
swill out your tanks with methyl hydrate, drain and fill with
corrosion-inhibiting anti-freeze. Drain in the spring and add
brand-new gas.

That's what I do with my A4 and my Honda 9.9...smaller engines, same
logic.

R.

On 22 Sep 2003 14:19:23 -0700, (A.Z) wrote:

I am about to winterize my Mercury 4-stroke 90hp engine.

Apart from using a stabilizer, is there anything else I should do to
minimize the effects of long duration storage of my boat? It will be
winterized next week and won't be in the water till next
June-July...This means the gas will be sitting in the tank for some
nine months. Since I don't use the boat enough to completely empty the
large 100 litre tank each year, a bit of that gas is from the previous
year.

I read many posts recommending the use of higher octane gasolines.
Is there any reason why the advantages of higher octane not apply to 4
strokes ?

André

A.Z wrote:

I am about to winterize my Mercury 4-stroke 90hp engine.

Apart from using a stabilizer, is there anything else I should do to
minimize the effects of long duration storage of my boat? It will be
winterized next week and won't be in the water till next
June-July...This means the gas will be sitting in the tank for some
nine months. Since I don't use the boat enough to completely empty the
large 100 litre tank each year, a bit of that gas is from the previous
year.

I read many posts recommending the use of higher octane gasolines.
Is there any reason why the advantages of higher octane not apply to 4
strokes ?

André


I'd drain as much out of the engine as possible and put the fuel in the
car and get rid of it as I drive (in small doses if it's premixed with
oil). Other than that, flush & antifreeze the cooling system, change the
oils, plug up any place bugs and birds can get in and the rest of the
standard list of winterizing chores.

I like to take the impeller out, but it could be a PITA in your engine.
'Course, change it now or try to find all the pieces when you change it
later is a continuing question....

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/