[pluscandy09]

Hurney, of Mercury Marine, recommends spraying down the powerhead with a rust inhibitor such as Mercury Corrosion Guard.

[FatherMcGruder]

If you have your outboard winterized by an authorized Mercury dealer or another marine service professional, you can count on the skills of a trained technician and avoid the chore of rounding up the required supplies and parts. The tech winterizing your outboard might also spot and correct unrelated issues.

[srb123]

It’s usually a good plan to take the batteries out of the boat to store in a cool, dry place for the offseason. Inspect the fluid level of lead acid batteries (if they are not sealed batteries), and add distilled water as needed. Check the date on your batteries, and consider replacing for next season if they are more than five years old. It’s better to replace them than wait for them to expire – and leave you stranded – next season. Make sure the batteries are fully charged before putting them up for storage. Storing the batteries on a maintenance charger over the offseason will keep them charged and fresh until spring.

[ueleniacostae]

Never use automotive oil in a marine engine! The line of Mercury Precision Lubricants includes four-stroke engine oils for any outboard brand, specifically formulated for the unique needs of the marine environment. Follow the oil-change instructions in your owner’s manual, and always dispose of waste oil properly. more

[Sarahb1966]

Now is the perfect time to check the propeller shaft for fishing line. There might be a large thrust washer on the shaft behind the prop. Remove this washer. If there is fishing line on the base of the shaft it’s often coated with grease and hard to see. Use a sharp pick or a small screwdriver to pull at the area around the prop-shaft seal to loosen any line that might be present. The forward thrust of the propeller can press the line into the rubber prop-shaft seal and can actually cut through the seal, allowing water to enter the gearcase. It’s a good idea to check the prop shaft for fishing line several times a season. [links]

[Artlav]

Ideally while the motor is still warm, treat four-stroke and conventional two-stroke engines with fogging oil to prevent corrosion within the engine. Remove the spark plugs and spray the fogging oil directly into each cylinder, following the directions on the can. Use a fogging oil product that is specially designed for use during winterization, such as Mercury Storage Seal. here