Gee, fogging oil is introduced into a motor to keep the rust down. Some folks have cited that 4 cycle motors don't need fogging. I have the opposite opinion, since 4 cycle motors run straight gas. I think they need more fogging than 2 cycle motors. Also, sterndrive motors have a lot more cast iron parts than outboard motors. Since iron rusts, I would think fogging would be mandatory at least for sterndrives.
For the 10 minutes it takes to fog the carbs and the cheap price of fogging oil compared to the cost of running her I do exactly as he suggested. 21 year old motors start first or second turn of the keys, every time. No carb work since I have had her.
No need to fog a 4 stroke especially with fuel injection. It won't hurt anything though. And no more Seafoam to fog right?
Also, fogging on a EFI engine can ABSOLUTELY hurt things... Spray a bunch of fogging oil the MAF sensor and you will have a couple hundred dollar repair next season. Delicate temperature/pressure/flow sensors don't take kindly to being hosed down with oil.
I know the service manual covers it. One mine with the VST you are supposed to use 2 cycle oil straight into the VST and run it with fuel shut off to pump until the VST is empty. For cool fuel you put the 2 cycle oil into the fuel/water separator and run it.In that case, maybe the owner's manual details what winterizing is required.
Two strokes are a little different than a 4 stroke as there will always be a cylinder open to the environment through a exhaust port, if that piston is low enough in the cylinder then the cases and crank bearing will be exposed to the environment by the transfer ports. In Texas I would totally agree with you it's snake oil and unneeded, but in higher humid places IMO it's a must.Well, waddayano, Stabil makes fogging oil! Whoda thunk?
Of course they claim you should use it in two- and four- stroke engines. Well, actually they say motor, but we all know that's not correct.
Here's the thing - back in the early 90's, when I lived in Hawaii, I used fogging oil in all my two stroke motorcycle engines whenever they went into storage for six months or more; the cans even specified two-stroke use. The logic at the time was that the combustion chamber got its lubrication from oil that was burned along with the gasoline and parts (such as reed valves) needed to be protected from corrosion. Fogging oil coated everything nicely and kept everything lubricated. When I moved to Texas in 1994, nobody I talked to ever even heard of fogging oil. I went on deployments without fogging my engines. Oddly enough, they all survived just fine. Now, years later, fogging oil is on all the shelves and it is designed to be used in all engines.
The upshot is, if you like it, using it makes you feel better, and you aren't starving your kids to pay for it. I say use it if you want. As for me, I'm filing it under snake-oil.
Maybe, but the rust will occur in the water jacket area of the intake manifold MUCH quicker than inside the intake area where there's little or no water inside. Fogging will not help you there.Also, sterndrive motors have a lot more cast iron parts than outboard motors. Since iron rusts, I would think fogging would be mandatory at least for sterndrives.
I wanted to keep the rust down in the intake manifold, as I did not want to replace it. My assumption was that some of the 2 cycle oil would end up on the inside of the intake manifold and keep the cast iron from rusting.
If you get salt water "seeping" into the exhaust (presumably from a leaking riser gasket) , NO amount of fogging will save you! The engine will be junk by Spring.I winter in salt water so there is always the issue of moisture seeping in through the exhaust system to the valves. The fogging process hopefully, inhibits the rusting.
Mine sits from AUG-JUN. I don't fog and I feel just fine. My last boat was only 39 years old (head never off the 150 Mercruiser) when I sold it. It never was fogged from since new.Unnecessary? Maybe, but my boat is laid up for 6-7 months a year. It's cheap and makes me feel better.
:facepalm:Yeah. Me too!:thumb:The upshot is, if you like it, using it makes you feel better, and you aren't starving your kids to pay for it. I say use it if you want. As for me, I'm filing it under snake-oil.
It has apparently worked for you so keep doing it, but you aren't fogging the carbs. You are just spraying through the big giant air passages on the carbs. The part of a carb that will plug up are the fuel passageways, which fogging has absolutely zero affect on. The purpose of fogging is presumably to coat the inside of the cylinder with oil to prevent rust.
Also, fogging on a EFI engine can ABSOLUTELY hurt things... Spray a bunch of fogging oil the MAF sensor and you will have a couple hundred dollar repair next season. Delicate temperature/pressure/flow sensors don't take kindly to being hosed down with oil.