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While this is not a direct Whaler experience, there is an important lesson to be learned regarding motor storage. I'd sold, and agreed to store my Cape Dory Typhoon in the back yard covered and it's 4 hp, 4-stroke Yamaha in my basement. I ran the motor w/fresh water until the gas was gone and put it in the basement for storage for 3 months. 2 weeks ago in preparation for delivery to the new owner (and not wanting him to start w/any engine issues as he pulled away from the dock), I took the motor out, put a little gas in it, put fresh water to it w/rabbit ears and started it. Not untypical, I had to use the trusty old paper clip to open up the rather weak water discharge hole flow. I started it again, it had a strong water stream, so I walked over to the sailboat to check something out while it ran out the remaining gas for transport. Everything sounds fine, right? NO! The engine picks up RPM's signalling it's about out of gas, I look over and it's smoking, but still with a strong stream of cooling water. I immediately shut it off and stand there perplexed when I look down and find 2 pieces of melted 1/2 moon plastic laying on the ground. Not having a clue what just happened, I pack up the motor & plastic pieces and take it immediately to my Yamaha dealer.

Well, here's your LESSON LEARNED: Dirt dobbers had built a nest in the exhaust port which totally blocked it off, overheating the shaft area and melting the steering bushing ring! This is not going to be a cheap fix by any means!

Since this was not going to be a long run, I just used the rabbit ears like I normally do at the dock to flush it w/fresh water, and that worked fine for water flow. Had I used a putty bucket full of water, or for that matter just left it alone and let the new owner start it while hanging in the water off the back of the boat, it MAY have dissolved the nest, or at least given an indication of a blocked exhaust port. The Yamaha Service Dealer said I wouldn't believe the damage these Dirt Dobbers do each winter setting up nests in exhaust ports and water dishcharge holes, under cowlings, etc, even sitting at the dock on bigger motors if not used for a while. If the little bugger can get in and you're not going to use it for a while, plug it or submerge it, or at least make sure you verify exhaust as well as water flow.