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Posts: 98
| So I have an 03 Optimax and in the manual it says to not fog the engine when winterizing, but instead take the plugs out and squirt oil into piston and rotate the flywheel. Well my dealer, who is Mercury certified, says they fog the engine. Does anyone know of any issues doing it this way, not sure why they say not to fog in the manual? |
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Posts: 2097
| Some people say its best not to even put the oil in cause it will foul the plugs in the spring. I do it per the manual. |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I can't believe you misses the entire Sea Foam Q&A. General discussion, top of the page. |
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Posts: 540
Location: Leech Lake, Walker MN | X 2 |
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Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | Why would you not follow the owners manual? |
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Posts: 676
Location: Twin Cities, MN | Here are the general guidelines I use per Don on BBC.
Winterize
Stabilize your fuel, run the engine under load for at least 15 minutes to get the stabilizer up through the system.
Change the gear lube
Change the fuel filter
Change water separator/filter
Inspect belt/tensioner
Grease all the pivot zerks
Check mounting/steering fastners
Check engine mounting (and jackplate) hardware torque
Check torque on mounting/steering fastners
Check steering hardware torques
Check air compressor filter (if equipped),
Determine whether water pump replacement is needed & gaskets
Inspect/test thermostats
Verify no faults with DDT or Computer Diagnostic System
Remove and inspect spark plugs (replace if needed, or perhaps based on hours/age), and if you like, add about 1 teaspoon of oil (same thing you run in the oil tank) to each spark plug opening.
Remove prop, check for fishline or hub damage, grease shaft and re-torque prop
A good, careful "visual inspection" of the entire engine.
Spin the engine "clockwise" by hand a few revolutions, reinstall the plugs- and then park the engine in the "full down position" for off-season storage.
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | sworrall - 11/23/2014 8:01 AM
I can't believe you misses the entire Sea Foam Q&A. General discussion, top of the page.
Yep. Great info. |
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Posts: 5874
| No to fogging an Opti. Putting oil in the cylinders and turning the motor over does nothing, except allow the oil to puddle on the bottom of the cylinder, and likely foul your plugs next spring.
I put new plugs in when needed, after first fire up in the spring. Use the old plugs for the first fire up in the spring. Especially if you do decide to put oil in cylinders.
Treat the gas, and run it through the system. Best way is to start treating the gas early in the fall at each fill up. I use the Merc products and Marine Stabil, but whatever, use something, SeaFoam, etc. |
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Posts: 153
| I have an '02 Optimax and have never fogged or put oil in the cylinders. I put Stabil in the gas starting in October and have never had a problem in the spring. The dealerships want to winterize your boat because they are in business to make money. |
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Fogging an Optimax