Empty filters in winter?

[halibut taco]

I'm in the process of winterizing my boat. Thanks to all the brats who have shared their winterizing tips, it has really helped.

One thing I didn't see covered was whether to run my outboards after doing the oil/filter and fuel filter changes. Do I want to run the motors so they fill up or just put new filters on and let sit dry over the winter?

[Sea Wolf]

halibut taco-

Great idea ! (I think!)

If you've got a carburetor engine, I'd run it dry, then change the filters and leave it dry. Drain any bowls that have fuel left in them. Fuel just gets old and turns to varnish and clogs jets, needle valves, passages, etc.

However, if you've got fuel injection, they usually don't want you to run the system dry, as it's hard on the pumps, injectors, etc. I that case, I'd add some good fuel preservatives to the tank and run it through the engine and new filters.

I've left the fuel in my Yamaha 90 EFI during the winter since it was new in 2005 w/o any negative results doing just that. Starts on the first button push every Spring!

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Joe.

[thataway]

Agree with Joe--I always run all of the fuel out of the lines and drain the filters, drain carbs on carburetated engines...injected put in stabilizer and additive, then run it into the lines.

[Matt Gurnsey]

Our shop runs a cocktail of ethonal free fuel, stabilizer, 2 stroke oil and fogging oil through the fuel system when winterizing fuel injected engines. We pour this into the new fuel filter, and install it. We then run the engine to be usre this mix get through the fuel system in the engine. Some of the mix is left in the fuel fliter and we leave it full.