winteriseing Merc 50

[Dino89]

hi
i have my boat in back garden covereded in boat cover and also full tarpaulin over the whole boat and outboard trialer etc is winterising necessary as i have had motor bikes stood up for the whole of a winter no probs and never even thought of winterisng a motor bike!
if it is neccessary what do i need to do
thanx

[Biggles]

Hi Dino,

For what its worth I tend to agree with you.

All I have done in the past is make sure everything is greased up on the engine, trailer and boat that requires grease. A light oily rag wiped over the inards of the engine and anything else that might suffer.

with regards the engine when I had a 2 stroke I just used to take the spark plugs out. Fill each cylinder with 2 stroke oil. Give it a little crank to get the oil around then replace the plugs.

At the start of the next season remove the plugs give it a turn over to get the oil moved around and so you don't get a massive build up when you fire it up.

Run it until warm then I fit new spark plugs.

Its worked for me but we do tend to have milder winters down here.

Some times I just run it up every couple of weeks in a bucket.

Now I'm on to a 4 stroke I don't think I'll be filling each cylinder with oil. I'll probably just run it up every couple of weeks.

Can any one advise on covering the engine during the winter.

My boat is outside. The engine is uncovered as I believe its best to let it breathe. Is it better to cover it with a plastic sheet ?

[Nos4r2]

I'd cover the engine with something that can breathe just to keep the rain and snow (if we get any) off. Mine's got a dampire inside the cowl at the moment to absorb moisture during the winter as it won't dry out otherwise, but as it's in use I'm not going to winterise it.

Make sure there's no salt residue under the cowl too.

[ADS]

I was told in the past to liberally spray under the cowling with WD40, but I have since learned it eats rubber hoses Apparently, GT85? is the stuff to use, alternatively you could do what I do and evict your mums car and put it in a nice warm garage

[Dino89]

thanks for the replies been a while getting back as my pc went t-ts up

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by ADS

I was told in the past to liberally spray under the cowling with WD40, but I have since learned it eats rubber hoses Apparently, GT85? is the stuff to use, alternatively you could do what I do and evict your mums car and put it in a nice warm garage

WD40 does NOT eat rubber hoses!!! Never has - neither does it contain silicone despite what people say - more urban myths!!!

[ollyit]

I bloody hope it doesnt as I plaster my engine after every outing -

not mention how much I use on the carb on my jeep

[ADS]

This is where I read it:
http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....highlight=wd40

However, I have heard elsewhere that it perishes HTLeads and rubber hoses etc, probably an urban myth made up by WD40's competitors.

[ollyit]

thanks for the link

[Jono]

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_faqs.html

[ollyit]

never thought of looking that up!

on the whole its looks good, hasnt done any harm as yet anyway... dam thats done it now hasnt it!

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by Jono

http://www.wd40.com/Brands/wd40_faqs.html

Cool link did you see you can join the WD40 fan club. I’m tempted cos it gives you access to private areas with fun things to do Would also look good on the CV......MoWD40FC..

[roycruse]

Originally Posted by Scary Des

I’m tempted cos it gives you access to private areas with fun things to do

I know a couple of clubs in Leeds that have those facilities as well

[roycruse]

Originally Posted by ADS

This is where I read it:
http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....highlight=wd40

However, I have heard elsewhere that it perishes HTLeads and rubber hoses etc, probably an urban myth made up by WD40's competitors.

Dont believe all you read - especially on RIBnet - Its always best to gather as many opinions and as much info as possible and make up your own mind.