Before you store your engine i.e. over winter, you need to prepare your engine to have nothing done to it for a period of time, not degrade in any way and start up again soon as you want to use it again. Storing your 4 stroke engine properly will save you a lot of time and money next spring

To make this happen will need some preparation especially as all the engines we look after are used regularly in salt water through the “Season”.

4 stroke engines are slightly easier than 2 stroke engines but if you follow the general guide below you won’t go far wrong.

Before you start you will need your normal hand tools (for the service), a way to run the engine in fresh water, and some “fogging oil”.

I use Rock Oil super marine inhibitor

This stuff works well, a can will last you for ages

First carry out a routine service on the engine – This will mean some of the tasks you need to do anyway are done i.e. Lubricate all the manufacturer’s recommended lube points and replace the gear oil.

Run the engine in fresh water, give it a good run up to normal working temperature to make sure the thermostat (If fitted) is open so the whole cylinder head has a good flush through.

Instead of stopping with the normal switch, turn off the fuel and allow the engine to run out of fuel.

Leave the fuel turned off and close the fuel tank vent.

Remove the top cowl and give your engine a real good wash down with a mild detergent solution. Spray it on with a hand spray, work it in with an old dish-washing brush, give it a few minutes to soak and then hose down with fresh water.

Make sure all of the engine is externally cleaned and flushed off with fresh water, use a hosepipe and make sure you get to all the little corners especially around the mounting brackets that may have dried out salt water on them.

Remove the spark plug. With the choke and throttle wide open, spray some fogging oil in the spark plug hole and into the carburettor air intake and then pull the engine over a few times. If you can, get someone to give you a hand, spray the fogging oil into the carburettor air intake while the engine is being turned over. This will leave a protective film inside the piston (from the fogging oil in the spark plug hole) and around the valves (fogging oil into the carburettor air intake).

Refit the spark plug, give a little spray of WD 40 into the spark plug cap and leave it unplugged, shut the throttle and choke.

If you are storing your engine for a long period (over about 4 months), drain the fuel tank.

When the engine has drip dried, treat any minor corrosion or missing paint, time and effort spent doing this now will pay massive dividends over the storage period.

Apply a protective coat to the power head, I brush on Waxoyl.

Coat all the other surfaces you can sensibly get to – a spray with WD-40 is a good way of doing it.

Refit the cowls and store the engine appropriately (Cool and dry, out of direct sunlight, preferably vertically)

If you would like advice about or would like us to help you to prepare store your engine or return it to use after storage please Contact Us