Preparing for extended storage efficiently and effectively means you’ll have a
worry- and hassle-free experience when you return to using your Yamaha outboard.
EXTENDED STORAGE
Now’s the time to think about
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Yamaha’s Prop Shop publication.*
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about fogging your outboard.*
Whether it’s returning your boat to a canal behind a Florida vacation home or hitting the water the
first warm day after ice-out, you want to get in and go, not spend time performing tasks that should
have already been done. Or worse, fixing damage created in the offseason. Take proper precautions.
This is not the time to hurry or compromise. Your Yamaha dealer has the goods if you prefer to DIY.
Otherwise, they will be happy to take care of these procedures for you.
Tip:
Don’t wait to call your dealer about winterization. The threat of the season’s first freeze is too late!
•
Look it over.
Few things are more important than the visual inspection you do before
extended storage. Start at the top of the cowling and work your way down to the skeg.
Be sure to pull the cowling and the propeller off, too.
Look for anything that appears damaged, missing
or out of place, and repair or replace as needed.
•
Replace it now.
Your outboard’s engine oil has been working hard to suspend and carry
away debris and potential corrosives resulting from the combustion process. Don’t wait for spring
to change it. Get rid of this nasty oil and the oil filter before you lay up for storage. Change your
onboard 10-micron fuel filter, too. It’s been helping to catch all the debris and filter out any water in
your fuel, a fact that can be compounded by having run ethanol-laced fuels. You don’t want either
left sitting there waiting for you next spring, and any water may freeze inside the canister.
Tip:
Be sure to lube all grease zerks with the correct grease stipulated in your owner’s manual to help force out any
water that may be residing there.
Tip:
Charge batteries fully before storage, and have them load tested to make sure they’re going to be up to the task
come spring. It’s best to check the charge monthly and keep them topped off if you can. If your outboard’s stored
outside during the cold winter months, don’t risk them freezing. Bring your batteries indoors to a cool, dry place.
•
Fog it down.
Fogging oil helps protect vital internal engine components during periods of inactivity
by coating them with a thick petroleum-based lubricant. This helps prevent rust and corrosion
from forming and protects during start-up. For most modern fuel-injected four strokes, use
Yamalube
®
EFI Fogging Oil. This is an additive you put in a small tank of fuel and run through the
outboard to properly lubricate the internal components. For two-stroke EFI and conventionally
carbureted outboards, an excellent choice is Yamalube Stor-Rite Engine Fogging Oil. Just spray
it through the warm intakes a few times until the exhaust turns white,
then spray equally into all intakes continuously until the engine
stalls. Both products are easy to use and highly effective.
Note:
As always, be sure to read and heed all product
instructions for proper application procedures.
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