How do you winterize an IO boat engine?

How to Fully Winterize Inboard Boat Motors in 4 Steps

1. Prepare Your Inboard Boat Motor for Winterizing. Fill the tank with gas.
2. Add Antifreeze and Spraying Fogging Oils.
3. Change the Engine’s Oil and Replace Oil Filter.
4. Do a Final Inspection.

What do you put in a boat to winterize it?

Here are some winterization tasks common to all types of engines.

1. Fog the engine.
2. Change the oil.
3. Fill the engine block with antifreeze.
4. Top off the fuel tank and stabilize the fuel.
5. Drain the freshwater tank and water lines and protect them with antifreeze.
6. Sanitation Systems.

Do you leave antifreeze in boat engine?

Do you have to use antifreeze when you winterize your boat? You should use antifreeze to winterize your boat if you have an inboard engine or any systems with pipes or that carry water. You should also consider using it in your bilge. For outboard motors, you don’t have to use antifreeze.

What happens if you don’t winterize your boat?

If You Don’t Winterize Your Boat, Here’s What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it’s trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines. Fuels break down or grow dirty.

How do I keep my boat engine from freezing?

A similar snap-on cover or a heavy-mil plastic garbage bag slipped up over the outdrive and tied at the top will prevent the engine compartment heat from dissipating through the exposed metal. When a freeze is forecast, you can also put your boat back in the water, since water provides greater insulation than air.

How many gallons of antifreeze do I need to winterize my boat?

Instead of using a winterizing kit, you’ll need a five-gallon bucket, and enough antifreeze for your engine and related plumbing (at least two gallons). If your engine takes a lot of antifreeze, you might also need a helper to add antifreeze to the bucket as needed.

How do I winterize my sterndrive?

Here are the other key steps to winterizing a sterndrive.

1. Drain Residual Water. First, run the engine on a flusher and get it up to operating temperature so that the thermostat opens.
2. Fill with Antifreeze Solution.
3. Drain/Replace Gear Lube.
4. Check the Prop Shaft.
5. Inspect Everything.

At what temperature do you need to winterize your boat?

At -50 F, it’s a solid chunk of ice, capable of cracking an engine block. Play it safe and use an antifreeze that is rated well below any temperature you’re likely to experience. Most winterizing antifreeze must be used full strength — don’t dilute.

How much antifreeze do you need to winterize a Mercruiser?

What is the problem with using your boat’s engine to drive it onto a trailer?

NOTE – While many people drive the boat onto the trailer, it isn’t advised. Using the engine to assist trailering erodes the ramp bed, can lead to debris being sucked into the engine, and can cause an accident! Make sure you drain all water from the boat – the bilge, the live well, the trailer lights, etc.