Keep Your Marine Engine Healthy This Winter

Just because it is winter does not mean that you cannot take your boat out for a spin. However, the way you start, run, and do maintenance is a little different from normal. Volvo Penta Engines are built to run as usual in very cold temperatures, but they need some preparation first. This will ensure that your motor's life will not be shortened in any way.

Outboard Motors

The maintenance and cold weather operation is different for outboard and inboard motors. Outboard motors are external to the boat, usually affixed to the stern. When operating your outboard in very cold weather, you need to have it tilted down at all times. This will ensure that the gearbox is submerged, preventing it from freezing. This is especially important if the boat is moored.

If it is cold enough for the water to freeze, drain and remove the outboard to avoid damage and engine failure. When you are finished with your boat, spray WD40 or some other lubricant into the motor tube and rigging tube to keep any water inside it from freezing. In the winter, it is important to winterize your motor, but if you plan to use it a lot, doing this will be in vain.

Inboard Motors

Inboard motors take more work and diligence to run in cold weather. Before you start your motor, you need to check the coolant, oil, and inspect hoses and belts. Then you can safely start the engine, but watch for water circulation. Water should be circulating through the exhaust manifolds. If it is not, stop the engine immediately and look for the ice obstruction.

If the motor is frozen, you can use a heater to melt the ice. The best kind of heater is a block heater. It will circulate the heated coolant within the engine to thaw it. Some boaters will also use antifreeze in their motors instead of water for coolant. Keeping a battery heater on hand to warm the engine is also a good idea.

If it is below freezing, always turn off the bilge pump, or else the hoses will freeze. When you are finished running your boat, let it idle for a few minutes before shutting the engine off. The boat must be fully drained prior to storage. Open the bilge plug hole and manifold petcocks to drain all of the water out. Also, open the flush tees on your water lines to drain them (if applicable).

These tips and advice will keep your boat, no matter the type, running all winter long. Unless the water is iced over, it is rarely too cold to take your boat out. Just make sure you take precautions for cold weather to keep your boat in good condition to avoid any mishaps or breakdowns.