It happens, life gets in the way, we get busy with work, school, family and such. As the summer days turn to cooler fall temperatures, the kids go back to school, it’s football season and before you know it Halloween, Thanksgiving then Christmas. With all the distractions that keep us busy, it’s easy to forget about your boat. So by now many cold nights have come and gone & you break out in a cold sweat when you realize you neglected to winterize your motor.
What is a boat owner to do when you forgot winterize your boat motor? In this article I will discuss your options and give you recommendations to navigate the repair scenario for your sterndrive engine should you sustain damage due to cold temperatures.
So, why should I winterize in the first place? Simply put, failure to winterize your sterndrive motor can cause:
Cracked Block
Cracked Manifolds
Cracked Oil Cooler
Damage Cylinders
Clogged Injectors
Contaminated Engine Oil
Each step of the winterizing process is important to prevent the damage above. If you do not drain all the water from the block & add antifreeze, your engine block can crack, along with your manifolds and your oil cooler. Forgetting to fog the cylinders can allow condensation in the air to develop moisture in the engine. This moisture can allow rust to develop in the cylinders and upon starting up your motor you may crack the rings and or score the cylinder walls. Failing to treat your fuel can lead to gunk in your tank and fuel lines. Old gasoline in your carburetor turns into sludge which can impede the performance of your engine. Finally, it is important to change your oil at the end of the season to remove contaminates. These contaminates when mixed with condensation make acids which attack the metal in your motor.
Now that you know the potential damage that can occur, is there anything you can do to prevent further damage?
There are a couple of things you can do to prevent additional damage to your engine. First off, lower your drive to allow water to drain out the bottom when temperatures are above freezing. Next, change the oil and inspect it for the presence of water. Also inspect lower plug this for the presence of undue amounts of metal. If you find water in your oil or metal on the lower plug, you will need to schedule your motor for repair before running your motor.
The majority damage to your motor is internal so it will be difficult to determine what problems you may have without tearing your motor apart. Sometimes cracks can be seen with visual inspection but it’s best to bring in to your trusted boat repair shop for diagnosis. A certified mechanic will run your motor to determine what damage as occurred. In most cases you will need a new engine. Shops should offer both a new or remanufactured engine options. The new engine will be made my your manufacturer and be ordered directly from the factory. A remanufactured engine will be assembled from parts at your repair shop and can lead to money savings while still getting a quality engine.
Unfortunately if you did not winterize your motor or did it incorrectly, you may have costly repairs ahead of you. Quality motor maintenance done on time saves money in the long run. Always take your time and perform manufacturer recommended maintenance. If you are unsure of what to do or when to do it, call your authorized manufacturer marine shop. They should be happy to assist you in keeping your motor in top running condition.
