Many boaters wonder if do you need to fog a 4 stroke outboard before the winter hits, as well as the short answer is nearly always a resounding yes. In case you're planning upon letting your boat sit for more than a couple of months, you really need to make sure the inner guts of the motor are protected through the elements. It's one of individuals maintenance tasks that will doesn't take very much time but can save you a massive headache—and a huge repair bill—once the particular spring thaw proceeds around.
I understand, I know. It's tempting to simply park the movie trailer, throw a cover up within the boat, and call it a day. But outboard engines are precision machines, plus they don't particularly like sitting idle in cold, wet environments. While 4-stroke engines are a bit different than the old smoky 2-strokes we used to run, they still have a lot of bare metallic surfaces inside that will can start to corrode the second you walk away from them.
What is fogging anyway?
In case you're new to the boating entire world, "fogging" might noise like something you do to obtain rid of mosquitoes inside your backyard. Within the context associated with an outboard, fogging refers to the process of applying a specific aerosol oil (fogging oil) to the interior components of the engine. The objective is to make a thin, protective film over the cylinder walls, piston rings, and regulators.
When a motor sits, the essential oil that usually layers these parts eventually drips down in to the oil pan. This leaves the particular metal surfaces uncovered to the surroundings. Since air consists of moisture—especially if you live close to the coastline or in a humid climate—that wetness can cause small pits of rust to form. More than a few a few months, those tiny pits can turn into a serious problem, leading to lost data compresion or even a seized engine when you try to crank up next period.
The misconception about 4-strokes and oil
There's a common misunderstanding going swimming the docks that because a 4-stroke has a good oil reservoir plus a lubrication program like a vehicle, you don't need to be worried about fogging. People think, "Hey, there's already oil in there, it's fine. " But here is the particular thing: a car engine is normally run almost every time. The oil remains circulated.
In an outboard that sits in a cold garage area or under a shrink-wrap cover most winter, that essential oil isn't doing much for the top finish of the electric motor. The cylinder walls and the control device train are sitting high and dry. Unlike those old 2-strokes where the particular oil is blended with the gas and coats every thing as it runs, 4-strokes are a bit "cleaner, " which actually can make them more vulnerable to inner surface rust during the off-season.
Why you shouldn't skip it
It's really regarding peace of brain. Think about the particular price of a may of fogging oil—it's maybe ten or even fifteen bucks. Right now think about the cost of having a mechanic tear down a Yamaha or a Mercury 4-stroke because the rings are stuck to the cylinder walls. You're taking a look at thousands of bucks.
Rust is a silent killer. You won't see it from the outside. The engine may look pristine underneath the cowling, but inside, those valves could be getting crusty. Whenever you go to start the vessel in May, that rust gets scraped away by the pistons, causing premature wear and rip. If you would like your outboard to last twenty many years instead of 10, fogging is a non-negotiable part associated with the routine.
How to fog a 4-stroke outboard the right way
The process for a 4-stroke is a little different than it is for a 2-stroke. With the older motors, you can just spray the particular oil right in to the carburetors till the engine clogged out in a cloud of whitened smoke. You can do that will with some older 4-strokes, but along with modern Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) engines, you have to be a bit more careful.
The Spark Put Method
For most modern 4-strokes, the "spark plug method" is the precious metal standard. It's a bit more manual, but this ensures you're getting the oil precisely where it needs to be with no messing up any sensitive sensors in the particular intake.
- Warm it up: First, operate the engine on a flush muff or in a tank for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will get the existing oil warm and guarantees everything is lubricated one last time.
- Pull the plugs: Once the particular engine is off and cool plenty of to touch, get rid of the spark plug wires and unscrew the plugs.
- Apply the oil: Period can of fogging essential oil and give each cylinder a good 2-to-3-second blast with the spark plug pit.
- Rotate the flywheel: This particular is the essential part. With the plugs still away, either turn the flywheel manually or even bump the starter for just a split second. This particular moves the pistons down and up, spreading that will oil evenly across the entire canister wall.
- Put it back again together: Screw the plugs back in (it's a great time to check if they will need replacing anyway) and reattach the particular wires.
The Intake Method (Be Careful! )
Some people nevertheless prefer to spray fogging oil straight into the air intake as the engine is usually running. If you do this upon an EFI motor, you risk covering the Mass Surroundings Flow (MAF) sensor or other sensors with sticky essential oil, which can result in the engine to run like garbage later. If you're going to use this method, check out your owner's regular first. Some manufacturers actually make a specific port with regard to winterizing, which can make things a lot easier.
Don't forget the gas system
Whilst we're talking about do you need to fog a 4 stroke outboard , we can't disregard the fuel. Fogging the cylinders shields the metal, but if you leave old gas in the lines, you're still going to possess a bad time.
Modern ethanol gas is notorious for "phase separation, " in which the water and alcoholic beverages separate from the particular gasoline and turn into an unpleasant green slime within your injectors. Always add a top quality fuel stabilizer to your tank prior to your last work of the season. Let that stabilized fuel run through the engine regarding a while therefore it reaches the particular injectors and the particular VST (Vapor Separator Tank).
Some guys really prefer to operate a "winter mix"—a small portable container filled with gas, backing, and a little bit of 2-stroke essential oil or extra fogging oil—and run the particular engine on that will for the final ten minutes. This coats the entire fuel system in a protective oily layer.
Timing is everything
You should ideally fog the engine as the extremely last step before the boat goes straight into "hibernation. " In case you fog it and then decide to go out for one particular last fishing vacation a week later on, you've just burned up off everything that protecting oil and you'll have to do it all over again.
I make a day of it. I'll change the engine oil and the lower unit gear lube, remove the cooling program with fresh water, plus then finish upward using the fogging oil. When the engine is fogged, I don't touch the key again until the springtime.
Common queries and concerns
A large amount of people worry about the "smoke show" within the spring. When you first fire up a fogged engine, it's going to produce a great deal of white smoke for the first few minutes. Don't panic! That's just the fogging essential oil burning off. It'll clear up quite quickly once the particular engine reaches operating temperature.
Another concern is definitely "What if I live in a warm climate? " If you live in Florida and you're only taking a month-long break, you might be able to get away without fogging. However, salt air will be incredibly corrosive. If your boat is usually sitting near the particular ocean, even a couple weeks of idleness can begin the oxidation process. If there is usually any doubt, simply do it. It's cheap insurance.
Wrapping things up
At the finish of the time, caring for a 4-stroke outboard isn't just about changing the particular oil and cleaning the cowling. It's about protecting the heart of the particular machine when it's at its most vulnerable. So, when you're still sitting down within the fence about whether do you need to fog a 4 stroke outboard , just move grab a may of oil and get to work. Your boat (and your wallet) will certainly thank you when it's time to head back out there on the water.
There's nothing quite like the sensation of turning the particular key on that first warm Sat in April and having the motor purr to living on the very first try. That kind of reliability doesn't happen by accident—it happens because you took the twenty minutes to winterize it properly. Happy boating, and take pleasure in the peace associated with mind that arrives with a well-maintained motor!