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| For those of you who winterize your own Optimax motors how important is lubing cylinders with oil (not fogging)? I have been doing research on the web regarding this and get mixed answers. All other aspects of winterizing the motor seem simple enough. However, removing some of the spark plugs to add oil into the cylinders on mine (135hp) looks difficult but not impossible.
I have also heard mechanics running a richer oil mixture through the system which self lubricates the cylinders rather than pulling plugs. I have also heard you can prepare a fuel system mixture (Fresh Gas, Quickleen, Stable, Opti Oil) in one gallon gas can and connect it directly to motor and run it for 10 or 15 min?
Looking for input from other do it yourselfers.
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Location: Des Moines IA | I do know this. Getting those plugs out is more than "difficult". I thought I could do it on an 07 150, started to dig in to it, then thought maybe a pro should do it. Slamr's mechanic bitched and bitched about how big of a pain int the ass it is to get them out. Try if ya want, but be prepared for a real fun time. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Here is the exact winterization process from Mercury. I've owned five Optimax's and have never pulled the plugs to winterize it. I top my fuel off and treat it and have never had any issues. But if you want to be exact, check this link out:
http://www.mercurymarine.com/media/mercury/pdfs/service-and-support... |
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| I've to have heard mechanics complain about it. I'm mechaniclly inclined but no Mercury mechanic and would rather not open that can or worms. I was just looking at other methods to lubricate cylinders or if you need to at all. I appreiciate everyones input. |
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| TJ,
Do follow the manual but forget about pulling plugs to lubricate cylinders? The rest of the process seems pretty painless wouldn't you say? Also, thanks for the input. |
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Posts: 164
| It can be a pain to change all the plugs, but by removing the bottom cowling makes it very easy. I have changes plugs leaving the cowling on and it can be done. Read this link on how this guy changes the plugs http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/180751-optimax-spark-plug...
The thing you really need to watch for is cross threading the heads. I had a problem with the spark plug socket hitting and a head bolt (top left hand plug). This meant that I could not get the socket straight when I went to reinstall the new plug. If the head bolt had been turned by a tiny bit, the socket would have cleared the edge of the bolt. So I had to grind the socket thinner to clear it.
I was told by the mechanic at Cabalas that Mercury now recommends leaving the plugs in and crank the engine with the oil pump only turned on, when connected to a lap top. This pumps the oil into the cylinders for lubrication.
It’s cheaper to pay a mercury dealer to do it right than either screw the plug threads of have rusty cylinders. If you don’t have the confidence to tackle the plugs yourself.
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I agree with Andy. If your going to do the plugs, have a mechanic do it, unless your certain you can do it. I have not pulled plugs on any of my Opti's in the past. I simply drain the water out of the fuel filter, fill the tank with gas, run Mercury Quickleen through it the last trip or two out and then put fuel stabilizer in it. I also run Premium gas all year, guarantees me to Ethanol either.
Lastly, wherever the boat sits for the winter, make sure you put the motor down vertically so any water that might be in there, will flow down and out. Then I unhook my starting battery and pull it out.
That's what I do to winterize my motor. You could also change the lower unit oil, but that depends on how much use you put on the motor. |
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| Shack Attack,
Thanks for the link. I agree it is easier and hassle free to take it to a Merc dealer. However, I like to fish through November and depending on how cold it gets the place were I would get it winterized may have problems with water access due to the freezing weather. I don't feel like driving the boat back six hours to winterize it and then bring it back up but I will if I have to.
I'm just looking for some input to determine if getting oil into the cylinders is a big deal or not with the Opti. I know it is better to oil cylinders to prevent rust build up and whatever but I have searched several articles on the Internet where people say their mechanics don't bother to do it.
I want to finish the fishing season and winterize myself if the Merc dealer I bring it to can't get it done due to weather and water access. |
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| TJ,
When you talk about draining water from fuel filer are talking about the water seperating filter? |
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| Thanks for everyone's input just have one more thing to run past everyone. I got the following from the Web somewhere. Has anyone winterized their Opti using method number 2 as follows?
Internal Protection: Corrosion takes its toll on the internal components of an engine when left sitting for months. There are two options for dealing with this issue:
1. Remove spark plugs, squirt approximately 1 teaspoon of oil into each cylinder, and spin the engine over a few revolutions (3 seconds or so with starter.... REMOVE LANYARD AND GROUND PLUG WIRES FIRST).
2. Second alternative: Portable fuel tank with a "winterizing concoction" of stabilizer, quickleen and premixed fuel (32:1 mix - approximately). Run the engine on this mix for 10 minutes, under load, in the lake (similar to fuel stabilizing above).
Thanks again for everyones input. |
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| What some dealers do to "fog" and Opti is hook up the laptop and run the oil pump to pump extra oil into the motor and then crank it over. This puts some extra oil on the crank and bearings, not just the cylinder walls and piston like you get when putting the oil in the spark plugs holes. They can also check the engine hours and make sure that there are no codes or issues stored in the ECU. Much less time consuming then pulling the spark plugs. |
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Posts: 326
Location: Plainfield IL | As for changing the plugs on an Opti you need to think outside the box. I can change my plugs on 2003 225 in 20 minutes. Instead of a 3/8 or 1/2 inch ratchet, use a 1/4. Add a small extension, then a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter to add the plug socket. I use shrink tubing and attach to the plug to set them in place to tighten. No need to drop cowlings etc... |
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