Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Winterizing a 4-stroke

Posted by HarleyFXDL on 11/11/10 - 6:13 AM
#1

I have a 2008 Yamaha 115 4-S and I was wondering how do you run the fuel out of the engine? I know you DO NOT want to disconnect the fuel supply as this will ruin the fuel injectors. How do you purge the fuel out of the fuel system?

Posted by Phil T on 11/11/10 - 6:26 AM
#2

Kevin-

Short answer is: You don't.

Run the motor with fuel conditioner for ~ 10 minutes and then shut down.

Do you have a owners manual? The steps are detailed for long term storage.

Posted by Derwd24 on 11/11/10 - 10:28 AM
#3

Phil is correct, these are closed systems and there's no need to purge the fuel, only to have conditioned fuel in the system before putting away for the winter.

I usually add the conditioner/stabilizer to the last tank of the season out on the water so I know it's made it into the system fully when back on the trailer and ready to winterize.

But last year (and this one too) I wasn't able to, and I know these engines (DI and EFI) are so fuel efficient at idle that it would take forever on the hose in the driveway to guarantee complete circulation up through the large external fuel filter and to the injectors. So a top notch mechanic had a great suggestion, first condition the fuel in the tank, then disconnect the fuel line at the engine and put the open end of the line end back into the tank. Pump the primer bulb enough times so that the conditioned fuel has made it through the filter and to the end of the line, and reconnect it to the engine. Then start it and let it idle for 30 min's on the hose, and that'll ensure conditioned fuel has made it to all parts of the system.

Posted by tedious on 11/11/10 - 2:11 PM
#4

Dave, that is a fabulous idea! I did not get the stabilzer into the tank for the last on-water run, and now the weather is closing in on me. I will use that trick - thanks very much for mentioning it!

Tim

Posted by Phil T on 11/11/10 - 2:30 PM
#5

You want to add fuel stabilizer before adding fresh gas to the tank.

I use stabilizer with every fill up since I don't use much fuel in a season and some can be rather old.

Having an efficient motor and a large tank (34 gallons) makes the winter layup a bit of a pain with respect to ethanol blended fuel.

Next year I plan to run the tank dry at the end of the year.

Posted by Gamalot on 11/11/10 - 3:14 PM
#6

Being totally ANTI ETHANOL I would ad a step. Once you get the engine shut down and stabilized I would drain the remaining fuel from the tank. It will be stale by the spring. When it is time to get up and running I would fill with fresh fuel and stabilize it. This way you only have what is in the lines and rack to burn out before you get to fresh fuel.

If your engine sounds like it is popping corn in the spring, it probably is!