winter storage for motor

[easyrider25]

What are best practices for winter storage for your motor.  I have 25hp Johnson that will need to sit in the cold garage over the winter.  Thanks!

Edited October 2, 2015 by easyrider25

[ThunderLund78]

I have a 25 hp Evenrude 2 stroke (I think about 1980). Here's what I do:

If it's still on the boat and you're also leaving gas in the can - I buy a bottle of Sea Foam and add it to the gas per the instructions. Put a barrel of water under the motor or an ear muff/hose set-up and start 'er up.  Run it for about 5 minutes, it will usually start to smoke a little more and you'll be able to tell the exhaust smells a little different. That means the treated gas is flowing and being burned.  You don't have to, but I have always fogged the cylinders, in addition.  Just buy a can of it at your local hardware or automotive store and follow the directions. Starts on the first or second pull every spring!

If you're just storing the motor separate from the boat, Just the cylinder fog would do it, I would think. You're basically just trying to prevent any untreated gas gumming-up in the carbs and cylinders.  Fog would stabilize any residual fuel and prevent that

If the cold storage is a barn, pole shed or not well-sealed from the elements, it doesn't hurt to make sure the motor is well-covered.  Mice can get into pretty much anything and ruin your wiring and hoses.

[loadmaster]

I always drain the lower unit and refill.  If you have it does not hurt to blow out the water system