View Full Version : FICHT Winterizing
What's the best way to winterize Ficht engines? One approach I heard was to mix fogging oil in a smaller tank and run it through the motor by connecting the tank to the engine.
Rudedog
12-04-1999, 05:07 PM
I've been a OMC Tech for 13 years now. If you are concerned with getting fogging oil into the engine there are several ways to get it in there. If you look in your owner's manual there should be a recipe for mixing a gas tank with fogging oil in it, a service manual will also have it in it if you have one handy. Although it is a bit of a pain in the *** to get the fuel line disconnected. A much easier way would be to go purchase an aresol can of fogging oil at your local dealer and simply remove the air box at the front of the engine which is held on by some rubber bungees, be sure to remove the air temp sensor by twisting it, the sensor is located on the right side of the engine. When you have the air box off simply squirt some fogging oil in the air intake of each cylinder. Try to make sure you squirt equal amounts in each cylinder. Also be sure to add some 2 4 to the fuel tank to protect the fuel system, change your fuel filter which is also behind the air box. Check out the condition of your gear lube and then bingo your engine is winterized
Thanks for the info. I pulled the air box off last night and I'm set to fog the engine this weekend. I have a 1998 and as far as I can tell, the fuel filter is at the back of the engine, unless there is something I'm missing. Any thoughts? My extra question is about leaking oil - ever since the upgrade was done, when the motor is tilted up, it will leak oil out the front which drips in the splashwell - something it did not do before the upgrade. (Maybe the size of a quarter each day.) Ideas?
Rudedog
12-10-1999, 06:42 PM
FWO you're right the fuel filter is in the back on the 98 model year, the 99 models they moved it up front and also changed the position of the water sensor. As far as the oil drip goes other than being messy there is nothing to worry about. With all the updates I've done all of the engines have had some oil that is trapped inside the airbox. What causes the problem is the positioning of the oil nozzles for lubrication. On the 98's and the 99's they are located up front right behind the air intake butterflies. Just like the carburated engines as the piston goes down to the bottom of the stroke some of the air in the crankcase is forced out of the engine before the reed valves can close. Causing some oil to be spitted back out into the air box. What you need to do on your Ficht is to make sure that on the very bottom of the airbox there is a small hose about 5/32" is attached to the air box. This hose is supposed to suck the oil out of the air box and into the crankcase to be burned off. And yes the engine should be running while you fog the engine either in the water or on some flush muffs.
Rudedog
12-11-1999, 12:57 PM
Was mistaken about the hose on the bottom of the air box it has been done away with. Instead you can take the air box off and turn it upside down over a oil pan and let the oil drain for awhile. Take a peak inside the belly pans and look for a loose oil connection, although you probably won't find one.
Really appreciate your information and time spent to reply. You sound like the guy I want working on my engine if I ever have problems.