Any reason to change motor oil in 4 stroke before winter storage?

[HangLooseOutdoors]

I know some people change motor oil before winter storage. I know lower unit should be a must, but is motor oil a must in 4 strokes???

Thank You

[Jerryv]

It is probably slightly better for the engine because it gets rid of any contaminants that the oil has picked up, but I have never had a problem changing it in the spring. I am usually too busy in the fall and I never know for sure when the last trip will be.

Jerry

[T Mac]

Ditto...Jerry.

[gofishwalleye]

If the boat/motor is stored outside or in a cold environment over the winter, condensation can/will form in the internals of the engine. Guess what happens to that condensation when it warms up next spring? You guessed it, it drops moisture in your clean oil. I personnaly wait until spring to change oil and do my periodic service. Just my two cents...

[perchjerker]

change it now

acids form in the oil from the combustion process and unburned fuel in the crankcase and can etch bearing surfaces and cause other havoc inside the motor.

I have seen it in car engines that were not stored properly.

the tiny amount of water from condenstation that may form will be quickly burned off when the motor is warmed up in the spring

[MarkG]

Originally Posted by perchjerker

change it now

acids form in the oil from the combustion process and unburned fuel in the crankcase and can etch bearing surfaces and cause other havoc inside the motor.

I have seen it in car engines that were not stored properly.

the tiny amount of water from condenstation that may form will be quickly burned off when the motor is warmed up in the spring

I agree. With fuel dilution of the oil and acids,better to get rid of it before layup.

Also, after changing it, run it one more time on the muffs to get all the moving parts coated with the fresh oil for optimum corrosion protection.

[HangLooseOutdoors]

What do you guys recommend spraying cylinders with for winter storage??

Originally Posted by HangLooseOutdoors

I know some people change motor oil before winter storage. I know lower unit should be a must, but is motor oil a must in 4 strokes???

Thank You

A long time oil/fuel distributer buddy told me one time that is's like changing the baby's dirty diaper- the contents are corrosive

[AllenW]

Change now and I use a fogging oil on the cylinders but nothing in the carbs, when I had motors with cards a bit of seafoam seemed to keep them clean internally, also be careful with carb cleaners, some will lift paint if you use them.

Al

[wallymn99]

i always change my 4S oil in the fall before putting it to bed. As mentioned above, old oil contains lots of bad stuff that can corrode your engine during its nap. NEVER would i put a boat away or snowmobile for that matter without changing the oil. Contaminents in that old oil are toxic to a motor when sitting.

rather have new oil sitting in there than old oil. And new oil that is not being used is ready to go in the spring. Just ask any dealer and they will say do it before storage.