---

We have experienced a very unusual cold snap here (20 - 32 degrees) in Seattle and I'm worried about my motor making it through. I've heard stories of cracked blocks and frozen pistons. My old motor is not winterized although I did run it on the muffs prior to it getting cold. Is there anything I should be doing to take precaution. I do not have it garaged only covered as my canopy blew over this fall.

D

---

Can you submerge the lower unit in as much water as you can? You need enough so that it doesn't freeze solid to avoid any water in the LU from freezing and breaking out the aluminum. If there's room, try putting a light bulb on an extension cord under the cowl of the motor to keep it warm.
Mike

---

As long as the motor is in the full down position, I always understood that they drain down enough to avoid anything freezing up.

---

My thoughts exactly Derwd24. If possible, tow the boat around the block with the motor down, maybe that would jar loose any trapped water.

---

On previous outboards I have owned, after fogging the engine, I have just stored the motor in the down position without any issue. as long as it it in the down position it should drain, nothing further needs to be done unless you want to put a bag over the lower unit to keep water out.

---

I would drain and refill the gearcase with fresh oil. If you have bad seals, and the oil is mixed with water, in the gearcase, along with the corrosion problem , if it freezes it may split the gearcase. Good advice from Florida, where it never freezes. LOL:D

rich

---

Thanks for the input. The motor has been down this fall as usual. I put new gear case oil in it just before the cold snap B).

I think I'll wrap a blanket around the lower unit and cam strap it down. Then i'll at least feel like i tried to do something!

D

---

If you've changed out the lower unit oil, you don't need to do a thing except leave it down. All the water drains out - don't worry about it.

Tim

---

Noooooooo!!!

Went out today after 2 weeks of wet snow and sub freezing temperatures to adjust the boat cover and run the big motor on the muffs. The good news is the motor started and ran great! The bad news is it wasn't spitting out any water.

I replaced the pump about five months ago and it was running great. Before the cold weather i changed the lower unit oil. I ran it once before the deep freeze and everything looked good including the tell tale stream.

I assume i'm going to have to take it apart again to check the impeller?

---

It's a good chance your thermostat didn't open due to the cold weather. I wouldn't worry about it.

---

I am not clear what the dire concern is for.

It could be the tell tale has some frozen water (you don't state air temps the day you last ran it).

Regardless, the engine is fine. My motor is not winterized yet and the boat is outside under a tarp in the driveway. I ran it 2-3 weeks ago before it got cold (today it was 14 as a high, low ~9.). Hope to go out in a few weeks when we get a weekend ~40 day.

Wait for a day above 32 and run it again on the muffs.

---

I ran it today as all of the snow has long melted and the temps today were about 40. My concern is that the impeller is damaged or that the housing has somehow cracked.

D

---

Run her again when it warms up, you should be able to hold your finger on the cylinder head (after warm up) for a 1-2-3 count before it get's too hot to keep your finger there. I would make sure that the cooling water is coming out the exhuast hub while running. The thermostat should not be a problem, it's not an "in-line" system, there is a by-pass, you should always Fog your engine before putting it away but, if you flushed out the engine, and stored it in the "down" (running) position, "you'll live", if you have any doubts that the water pump is working while testing the engine, shut down immediately.

---

Great. I'll try that. It's not like i won't have time to check the water pump as I just got laid off. Looks like my Whaler will get some much needed TLC. Thanks guys.

D