Re: Winter storage - TCW3 oil question....
There's some difference of opinion re: storing the carbs wet or dry. I have found a winterizing protocol that seems to make sense to me which recommends storing the carbs wet. Here's the link: <br /><br />
Brown's Marina OB Winterizing Tips <br /><br />Here's a quote from that site:<br /><br />"Storing the carbs wet or dry?<br />Today's carburetors utilize many neoprene, rubber, and alcohol resistant materials. Draining the fuel system for storage can put these parts at risk by allowing the materials to dry out and crack. Most (if not all) manufacturers recommend the carbs be left wet' that is, they fuel is stabilized and left in the carb during the storage period...."<br /><br />Another rationale that I've read, which supports the idea of wet carbs relates to multi carb outboards (like mine which has 3): If you attempt to dry the carb by disconnecting the fuel and then running until it quits, the carbs won't empty at the same time. Therefore, the cylinders that are fed by the carb that empties first will run without fuel/oil while the other carbs are emptying. They are susceptible to damage during this time. This would be avoided if you drain the carbs manually, but that happens to be beyond my willingness to mess with the motor - YMMV.<br /><br />The final rationale is that *if* you assume that even if you try to run a carb dry, there will still be residual fuel left in them - that small amount of fuel is more likely to dry out and leave residue than a full carb.<br /><br />All of these rationales are why I personally leave the carbs wet with stabilized fuel, engine well fogged. Others disagree and probably have healthy engines as well.<br /><br />Good luck - winterizing is really pretty easy and only takes a little while once you get the materials you need and the routine down.
