Frozen outdrives and lower units.

[LubeDude]

Well, its an I/O topic, and its an outboard topic, and it is an engine topic.<br /><br />Anyway, Its been a bit unseasonally cold here for a few days as its frozen pretty hard, Around 30 degrees. (Cold for here anyway), On the way into work, I bet I saw more than a half dozen boats stored with there outdrives in the up position, both I/Os and outboards. Sure are a lot of uninformed people out there.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

Mine is currently stored in the up position and it has been below 0 all week <br /><br />BUT I have the prop and most of the drive wrapped in plastic to keep moisture out, and am planning on replacing the bellows as soon as it gets warm again. <br /><br />My trailer sits low enough and my cover has a hole in it so I jack the front up high to keep the water all drained out.<br />OK, the real reason is the battery in my truck went dead so I took battery out of boat for truck and need battery to lower drive.

 

[MYTJC]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

Is that a bad thing for a Outboard?. My boat is outside with a cover over it, i also have the motor covered as well....

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

I did that once. I went by the book the first year. Drained this, put anitfreeze in that and didn't read on the back of the page to lower the outdrive. It was an older unit that would not drain the water in the lower unit where the exhaust housing is. Yup, busted the housing that the retaining nut that holds the output shaft in.<br /><br />Really bad part is, THERE WAS NO iBOATS THEN! I sure could have used the help. Lucky the local Mercuriser shop owner walked me through on the how too's.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

SS,<br /><br />It also plays helll with the rubber baffles that run out of the engine into the drive (mercruiser at least) It is my understanding that you must change the lower gearcase oil in the fall just in case the seals leaked and water got in. Its freezing can be just as costly.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

Well, I guess I am another un-informed boater. D'oh!<br />My O/B is on about a 45 degree angle. Is this bad for it? <br />It does not really get too cold here. It was freezing for the past week, but it has warmed up some. <br />I do not winterize my motor, I tend to start it up at least every 3-4 weeks during winter. Plus I put stabil in the gas.<br />B.C.

 

[Frankhanhart]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

Pulled the L/U for a paintjob and change of waterpump. It's standing in my shed now, which never gets below zero. Life is beautiful (smug look on my face ) Will probably forget to fit it before I launch the boat in April.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

Brother,<br /><br />Sometimes water can get past the seals and turn your oil into milk. But it is still water and it still can freeze. And water has that nasty little property of expanding when it freezes. I have always been told that the exhaust bellows left in the stretched position can compromise their integrity. And replacing them is a pain. I always store mine in as low an attitude as I can. Others may know better. I'm actually an old OMC guy but I don't want Bondo to stop helping me based on that.

 

[Pony]

Re: Frozen outdrives and lower units.

Just drove by a guy today, had a B-liner with a 120 Force in the full upright position. I have seen it in that position for months now. Worst part is, it rained here a lot right before it cold cold.......I can only imagine how much water is in behind that prop.<br /><br />An outboard drains best in the straigh vertical postion.