wrote in message
ups.com...

ran007 wrote:
Sounds appealing - when winterizing, will fogging the engine be
necessary? Last thing I want is a stuck carburator...

Fogging does nothing for the carb.


What's it for?

Does it keep rust out of some components of the motor?

ran007 wrote:
Sounds appealing - when winterizing, will fogging the engine be
necessary? Last thing I want is a stuck carburator...

I read that some do spray the fogging oil into the carb while the engine
is running.
I only spray into the cylinders and replace the plugs finger tight. I'm
hoping that running the motor dry with stabilized gas will take care of
the carb.

ran007 wrote:
Does it keep rust out of some components of the motor?

Foe sure...cylinder walls, piston......rings

It is much better to use your boat and enjoy your boat than winterizing it.


"ran007" wrote in message
oups.com...
It doesn't freeze down here - I'm not really worried about that. It
just seems that a boat engine can live the same life as a car engine if
you run it, instead of letting it sit up. My intent is to pull it out
every couple of weeks and run it. My question is, is it better than
winterizing it?

So it's reasonable to say that I should winterize it?

ran007 wrote:

So it's reasonable to say that I should winterize it?

Yes. Google up 'Winterizing Checkist' to see what's involved. Suggest
you let the dealer do it for starters and ask to see the process when
they do your boat.

--
Skipper

"ran007" wrote in message
oups.com...
So it's reasonable to say that I should winterize it?


Considering that it cost what....maybe fifteen bucks for the various
supplies, why not? It'll keep you out of your wife's way while she cleans
the kitchen, and then you can tromp back in full of oil and mess it up
again. Here's a good link:

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/winter/default.asp

Here's a good link:

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/winter/default.asp

And another:

http://www.brownsmarina.com/techtips.html

--
Skipper

In my opinion, putting Stabil in the fuel is a good idea then run the engine
on the earmuffs long enough to get the fuel circulated into all parts of the
system. I'd also check the lower unit oil to be certain it is at the right
level and has not got any water in it. Monofilament fishing line around a
prop shaft is death to the seals. A frozen and cracked lower unit is an
very expensive replacement item.

My only concern about storage in a warm garage is the threat of a power
failure, and the resulting damage if the outage last very long. I live
rural and we are the last to get power restored, it has been out for over 2
weeks at a spell.

Obviously fogging the engine is just added protection but unless there is a
VERY humid environment, over the winter should be of no concern.

From the "For what it's worth Dept"!

Don Dando




"ran007" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey guys, I recently bought a fun little Sea Ray 180 with the i/o Merc
130 - I only put about 5 hours on it so far. I've got a question about
winterizing. Would you suppose it would be better to take it to the
Merc dealer and have them stabilize the fuel, fog the engine, drain the
block, etc... or could I just pull it out of the garage every two
weeks, crank it up and let it run for 5 or 10 minutes out of the water?

And if it's better to run it every other week or so, what's the best
method to keeping the engine cooled? Direct connection, or the ear
muffs? I have the earmuffs. I put them on turned on the hose and ran
it yesterday for about 10 minutes. Seemed to run fine, but the temp
guage would sit at around 180 degrees.

I'm not scared to do it myself, but I just trying to find good advice
on the best way to run it out of the water, if I can and if it won't
damage the boat. I mean, will the water damage the motor if the engine
isn't on? Am I asking too many questions in one post?

Thanks for all of your help in advance!!