One winterizing step you might be missing

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Location
Perrysburg Ohio
LOCATION
Perrysburg Ohio
Went on an 1 1/2 hour drive to a gun show in another town today. Nice day, sun was out and I was looking at all the boats sitting in the drive or storage facilities all covered up for their long winters nap and noticed something.....of the 3 dozen or so boats that I saw, only two had their motors/ outdrives tilted down in the run position !! I have read many times and mechanics have mentioned numerous times that the leg needs to be down in the run position so water does not collect and freeze as it could crack the lower unit housing. Thought I would post a reminder for folks to remind them of this important step !!! Your call, your motor, but many that I saw look like new engines and I am sure a frozen, cracked lower unit would not be covered under warranty !!!
 
I also see many motors tilted all the way out of the water, in the late season months, where we could get a hard frost overnight. Not sure if that is enough to cause damage, but I always have the motor down that time of year.
 
I also see many motors tilted all the way out of the water, in the late season months, where we could get a hard frost overnight. Not sure if that is enough to cause damage, but I always have the motor down that time of year.
Once left the boat in until mid-FEB, where we left the OB motor down ... as the sea water was always warmer than the air temps!

Great reminder - this post is - for cccccccold weather OB storage and freezing temps!
 
Back in the late 70's i had an evinrude to freeze and crack the lower unit case. The motor was stowed tilted. The mechanic that replaced the lower unit explained that any water inside of the lower unit. Would migrate if tilted to the weakest part of the case.and freeze. But seeing water accumulate in the prop cavity is definitely a no no. It was an expensive lesson to learn. But learned very well. All boat experience has been painful and costly. The internet now has a wealth of info on right from wrong..
 
I can’t get the cross threaded drain plug out of my current motor and it not splitting open from freezing is how I know the oil is still in and there’s non water in it.

Now that I’ve said that, watch this be the year.
 
I can’t get the cross threaded drain plug out of my current motor and it not splitting open from freezing is how I know the oil is still in and there’s non water in it.

Now that I’ve said that, watch this be the year.
Try harder to get the plug out, if you strip the threads, you can always retap or even retap bigger if needed! I have had to repair a number of stripped out plugs over the years. Not that hard.
 
Try harder to get the plug out, if you strip the threads, you can always retap or even retap bigger if needed! I have had to repair a number of stripped out plugs over the years. Not that hard.
This lower is too ugly to bother with.

It’s got pitting from being left in salt water and other uglies so I plan on running it to failure and beyond.

If I went off shore of frequented rivers I wouldn’t be so caviller about it, but on the lake I frequent it’s no big deal if it grenades while in use.

I’d really rather put the time into other aspects of the boat to be honest.
 

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