Winterizing Mercury 300XS

[23Seacraft]

Has anyone here winterized a Merury 300XS? I just finished reading the manual and here is what she says:


Storage Preperation
The major consideration in preparing your outboard for storage is to protect it from rust, corrosion and damage caused by freezing of trapped water. Follow these storage procedures to prepare your outboard for out-of-season or prolonged storage (two months or longer).

FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT: Fuel containing alcohol (ethanol or methanol) can cause a formation of acid during storage that can damage the fuel system. If the fuel being used contains alcohol, Mercury Marine recommends draining as much of the remaining fuel from the fuel tank, remote fuel line and engine system.
The most effective method for storage preparation is to add the recommended amount of Mercury Precision Fuel Stabilizer and Mercury Precision Quickleen products, as described on their respective containers, to the fuel tank before the final operation of the boat prior to storage. Fuel stabilizer helps prevent the formation of varnish and gum in the fuel. Quickleen helps clean and lubricate the fuel injectors.

1. Pour additives into the fuel:
a. Portable Fuel Tank: Pour the required amount of fuel stabilizer into the fuel tank. Close the tank and tip back and forth to mix.
b. Permanently Installed Fuel Tank – Pour the required amount of fuel stabilizer into a separate container. Add approximately one quart of fuel to the container. Mix and pour into the fuel tank.
2. Remove the drain hose from the aft hose fitting (right side of the chamber). Hold the unattached end of the hose over a suitable container.
3. Loosen the filter drain screw (left side of the chamber) and all contents to drain.
NOTE: If little or no liquid drains from the hose, loosen the red filter to vent the chamber
4. Tighten drain screw and reattach the hose.
5. Remove the drain hose from the forward hose fitting (left side of the chamber). Hold the unattached end of the hose over a suitable container.
6. Loosen the float chamber drain screw (right side of chamber) and allow the contents to drain.
7. Tighten drain screw and reattach the hose.
8. Premix the follow in a container:
• 8cc (0.3 oz) or 2 teaspoons of Mercury Precision Quickleen lubricant
• 8cc (0.3 oz) or 2 teaspoons of Mercury Precision Fuel Stabilizer
9. Remove the fuel filter.
10. Pour the mixture into the fuel filter opening.
11. Install the fuel filter.
12. Prime the fuel system.
13. Place the outboard in water or use the flushing attachment for circulating cooling water. Start the engine and run at idle speed for 5 minutes to allow the treated fuel to fill the fuel system.

Protecting Internal Engine Components
NOTE: Make sure the fuel system has been prepared for storage.
1. Remove the spark plugs and add approximately 30ml (1oz) of engine oil into each spark plug hole.
2. Rotate the flywheel manually several times to distribute the oil in the cylinders.
3. Re-install spark plugs.


Everything seems pretty straight forward. However, I am a custom to winterizing engines a little
different. For example, running an engine out of fuel while using engine oil fogging spray. Couple questions:

•I use the Marine Formula Stabil Ethanol Treatment and performance improver at every fill up. Besides adding it to my permanent fuel tank as described in step 1a under “fuel system”, should I add anything else to the fuel mixture as described in steps 8 through 12 under “fuel system”?
•Spark plug removal under “protecting internal engine components” in step 1 is self explanatory. However, the plugs are very difficult to access. Is there a trick to removing the spark plugs? Furthermore, the manual says to add approximately 30ml (1oz) of engine oil. Is this standard, or, can I use engine oil fogging spray in lieu of engine oil?
•Should I also use any engine oil fogging spray in the intake of the engine while it is running for added lubrication? The manual does not mention anything.

I have a pretty good handle on everything which includes changing the lower unit, but, I just wanted to run this by you guys before I got my hands dirty this weekend and put the boat away for the winter. Thanks in advance.

[thundra]

You will repeat after me; "I will NOT use fogging oil in my OptiMax 300XS" Do this 3 or 4 times. You will go to the store and buy a turkey baster and after you take the plugs out, you will tilt your motor up and artificially inseminate your plug-holes with 1 oz of that fine OptiMax oil, then with the flywheel cover off, spin that motor by hand to distribute the oil. Regular old fogging oil, even Mercury's own Storage Seal will foul up the sensitive injectors in the OptiMax system. Repeat after me, "I will NOT use fogging oil in my OptiMax, I will NOT use fogging oil in my OptiMax . . . "

So long as you put in the storage dose of STA-BIL, you are all set there.

The plugs can be a pain, especially the lowest portside plug on the V6 but it can be done without too much fuss. Get out the wobble socket extension and if need be, take some of the junk in the way off for the time being then replace.

[23Seacraft]

Thanks for the response. Got it, I will not be using fogging oil. I will put 1oz of Mercury Premium Plus oil in each spark plug oil and spin the motor by hand to distribute the oil. Is it easy to spin the motor by hand?

[thundra]

With the plugs out, the motor will spin, it won't roll over as easy as the Wheel of Fortune, but it will be easy enough to turn a few times to get the oil all over the cylinder walls. Be sure to keep the motor tilted up if you can or a lot of the oil escapes down the exhaust port if you don't.

One other thing, I have been following every owners manual I've ever had for everything I've ever owned and the instructions have never, ever done wrong.

[23Seacraft]

Great, thanks for the help.

[Reel-Deals-1st]

Or you could send it to me here in Florida and Ill take good care of it. Ill even make sure it runs once a week for you.

[timebandit]

What I have always done is mix a 25:1 Premuim+, and FSTS, and QC. Run it through the motor, than drain out as much as you can. I have used this method on everything and never had a problem. I never take out plugs or oil prime the computer.
Easy as that.

[23Seacraft]

I have a little problem as far as running the motor out of the water. I read previous threads regarding ear muffs for Mercury outboards and went ahead and purchased the dual water ear muffs. I then covered the nose cone pick up with duck tape and attached the ear muffs. I turned on the water and started up the motor. Unfortunately, no water coming out of the pee hole. Let it run for maybe 10 or 15 seconds and then turned back off. I went ahead and filled up a 55 gallon trash can with water and tried running the motor. Interesting enough, it started pumping water instantly with excellent pressure. Why doesn't the motor pump water by using the ear muffs and seal the nose cone pickup with duck tape? Am I missing something? Is there an attachment for just the nose cone? Thanks in advance.