Dealer has me stumped...

[Stumpys]

Hey guys... been away for a while... Anyway, I took my boat back to the dealer because there were a few warranty issues that needed fixed. I called and asked when I will get it back cause I need to winterize the engine real quick like. The service manager told me that there is no need to winterize, or fog the engine, and people are just wasting their money.<br /><br />Well, needless to say, that really pi**ed me off. I have always did it on my old boat, but why is the dealer (Smithville Marine) telling me it is not necessary????<br /><br />Any thoughts? Are they right?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

It's a pretty cheap insurance policy if you ask me. Also it's a good time to perform routine annual maintenance so she's ready to go come Spring. Not as important on outboards as it is on I/Os, but I think it's time and money well spent. My 2c.

 

[Chief101]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

Stumpys, I've never felt the need to winterize an outboard, tho I do fog 'em if I put them away in storage and check the l/u for water once in a while. I say, no worries.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

You need to find a new dealer to do your service work

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

Were those his actual words or did he say something similar to that?????If they were his very words then I agree with Laddies.Charlie

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

Originally posted by shortly:<br /> Stumpys, I've never felt the need to winterize an outboard, tho I do fog 'em if I put them away in storage and check the l/u for water once in a while. I say, no worries.

I pretty much feel the same way, Actually this is the first year I have even used a fuel stablizer, I had it and thought about it when I got the last fuel of the season so I put some in. Im quite a nut on checking things so I dont feel the need. I always service the lower unit in the fall anyway, and I turn the engine over every month or so and pump the bulb hard. <br /><br />Drowned rat is right also, for most it gives them a time to check things.

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

I wouldn't think it a big issue in the warmer areas although when an engine/drive is stored for a considerable period it should be prepped for the storage. I don't even put my hot rod to bed in the winter without at least stabilizing the fuel and putting the battery on a trickle charge. <br />I live where it's cold -20 for spells. I go through a great cerimony when winterizing my boat. It's an all day deal all the way down to removing the cushions from the cabin. I fill a small shed with what comes out of my boat in the fall. The motor drained & refilled with antifreeze, fogging the eng. draining the drives & crankcase. I'd hate to think what would happen if I went a winter without it.

 

[Stumpys]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /> Were those his actual words or did he say something similar to that?????If they were his very words then I agree with Laddies.Charlie

Exact words!!!! I have always been a stickler on winterizing myself, but a dealer (who sells all the stuff to winterize) tells me I don't need to! If it wasn't for it being under warranty, I would never take my boat to a dealer anyway. I trust the smart folks on here for advise.<br />Thanks...

 

[timmathis]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

They want to sell you a new boat as soon as they can. They don't want it to last a long time!<br /> Tim

 

[jtexas]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

what are the winters in KC like? I never winterize, but then I use my boat at least once a month year round. tilt the outboard all the way down to let the powerhead drain, change the l/u oil to make sure there's no water in there, stabilize the fuel if it's gonna sit around awhile regardless of time of year.

 

[scotty c]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

i'm with you j.t., as far as outboards go<br />i never winterize,although i use mine all year.<br /><br />one thing for certain though, i would not leave a tank of regular gas sitting for months<br />without stabilizing.<br /><br />in fact the quality is so bad now, i'm springing<br />for mid grade for outboard and truck.<br /><br />if ya don't believe it makes a difference,<br />try a couple of tank fulls...<br />easier starts,smoother idle and better all round<br />performance.

 

[John McFarlane]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

Is there documentation from manufacturers that recommends the 'fogging' of engines?<br />Is any of the manufacturers warranty dependant on 'fogging' the engine?<br />Is there documentation that supports the theory that it preserves the integrity of the engine?<br /><br />Or has it evolved from 'probably a good thing to do and it sure can't hurt' into 'what, you didn't fog the engine? Best of luck, it's sure to be buggered now'

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

I have three two stroke outboards: a 20 year old 15 evinrude, an eight year old 15 evinrude and a 3 1/2 hp Westbend made sometime in the 60's. I've never fogged any of them. They all run great. This is not to say fogging is a waste of time because there may be certain storing conditions that make this recommended. <br /><br />I always fog my inboard 3.0 though. I think it sits in a more humid environment(being inside the boat) and believe it may help. It certainly wouldn't harm it anyway.

 

[Stumpys]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

Well... winters here are unpredictable anyway. Most times it's moderate, but can go below zero in January or February.<br /> <br />As far as the manufacturer's warranty... I have never read in my book that it has to be fogged in the winter. My problem is that this is a brand new boat and I want to take care of it the right way. You know as well as me that they always want to say that you never took care of it the right way if they have to warranty it. <br /><br />Thanks for everyone's input on this!

 

[rbruce63]

Re: Dealer has me stumped...

Well it makes sense to me not to winterize in Costa Rica where temperatures rarely reach below 72 F! Eventhough I will fog my motor yearly for the humidity might ruin the cylinders and other parts of the motor, but in KC I would definitively fog the motor because of the drop in temperature, the water damaging the lower unit and the fuel going stale in the carburetors which calls for stabilization.<br /><br />Unless you have an Evinrude E-Tec which using the correct proceedure will winterize itself (however the L/U has to be checked for water fouling and topped of with the special synthetic L/U oil).