With the onset of the off-season, every boater faces the acute issue of organizing space in the garage or on the balcony. outboard It's often not allowed to be placed upright, especially when it comes to high-powered long-leg models, and owners are starting to make compromises, and the most obvious solution seems to be to stack the unit on its side or put it flat.
But this solution carries serious technical risks that many people forget in the pursuit of space saving. engine-preservation It can lead to leakage of technical fluids, clog the fuel system and even failure of expensive components at the next start. Understanding the internal processes that occur in the engine at rest is critical to the preservation of the life of the equipment.
In this article, we will look at the physicochemical processes that can be triggered by the wrong position of the motor and determine if there are exceptions to the rule, we will look at the effect of gravity on lubricants in the gearbox and crankcase, and analyze the requirements of manufacturers for winter storage.
Physics of the process: why the position matters
A outboard motor is a complex mechanism in which various liquids (oil, gasoline, water) are located in well-defined containers and channels. As the angle of the engine body changes, gravity forces begin to redistribute these fluids, causing them to flow into areas where they should not be. Carburetor engines They are particularly sensitive to such changes, as their fuel system often lacks sealed cut-off valves in the float chamber.
If you put the motor on your side, the oil from the crankcase can leak into the cylinder through piston rings or leak through the sapoon. During prolonged storage, this leads to the fact that the first start of the engine will try to compress the incompressible liquid, which is fraught with water shock. metal-corrosion inside the cylinder block.
Even short-term storage of the motor on the side without first pumping oil from the gearbox can lead to water getting inside through the glands when the engine cools down.
In two-stroke engines, the situation is exacerbated by the presence of a fuel mixture in the crankcase. When tilted, the mixture can flow through the exhaust window or, conversely, fill the spark plug, making it impossible to start without thorough drying and cleaning of the ignition system. Four-stroke units They are more stable, but they also have their own vulnerabilities associated with the valve mechanism lubrication system.
Risks for the carburetor and fuel system
One of the main reasons why manufacturers strongly discourage horizontal engine storage is because of the carburettor design. Most models, especially Japanese and Chinese ones, do not have a shut-off valve that completely shuts off the fuel supply when the engine stops. Gasoline continues to flow by itself from the tank or fuel hose.
When the motor is on its side, the fuel level in the float chamber shifts, and the gasoline begins to overflow over the edge, hitting directly into the air. drain-manifold And then you go into the cylinder, and this has a couple of negative effects.
- ⚡ Flushing of oil film from cylinder walls, which increases the risk of corrosion during storage.
- ⚡ Pouring the spark plug, which makes spark formation impossible.
- ⚡ Liquefying oil in the crankcase (if it gets there), which reduces its lubricating properties.
- ⚡ Fuel hitting the muffler, creating a fire hazard situation and an unpleasant smell.
⚠️ Warning: If you do have to put the engine down, be sure to shut down the fuel crane and run out the fuel residue in the hose until the engine stops completely, which minimizes, but does not eliminate, the risk of overflow.
In addition, in the horizontal position, it is possible to leak fuel through the drainage holes of the float chamber outwards, which creates an unpleasant smell in the storage room and increases the risk of fire.
Problems with the gearbox and lower unit
The lower part of the motor, called the deidvut, contains gearboxThe seals are designed to operate in a certain range of pressures and positions. During prolonged storage, the oil in the gearbox shifts to one of the oils, creating constant pressure on its working edge.
Over time, this can lead to the extrusion of the omentum or the appearance of microleaks, but the main danger lies in temperature fluctuations. When the engine cools down after the last in the season, the air inside the gearbox compresses, creating a thinning. If the omentum is not perfectly sealed (which is a common occurrence in older engines), water is sucked in.
In the vertical position, if water gets in, it stays at the bottom, without contact with gears and bearings, which are higher. In the horizontal position, the water spreads throughout the reducer volume, causing:
- 🛡️ Corrosion of the front and rear gears.
- 🛡️ Rusting of bearings, which leads to backlashes and noise.
- 🛡️ Emulsifying the oil, turning it into "mayonnaise", which does not lubricate.
How to check the gearbox for water?
Weaken the lower drain screw of the gearbox, and if there's a whitish emulsion or water coming out of there, it's leaky, and you need to replace the oil and the oil before you put it in storage.
This is especially critical for motors that are stored in unheated rooms, where temperature differences are most significant, freezing water inside the gearbox can cause the body to rupture or deform the gears.
Impact on the cooling system and pump
Water cooling is another vulnerable element when stored improperly, and after the season, there is always some water in the pump and pipes, upright, it drains down to the bottom of the lower unit, where the drainage holes are located, or it stays in the rubber impeller pump without causing deformation.
When stored lying down, water can flow into the cylinder block through the looseness of the thermostat or gaskets. cooling-system When frozen, they expand, which can lead to cracks in the head of the block or the pump body. The rubber impeller of the pump, being in a skewed state under water pressure for a long time, can deform and lose elasticity.
To prevent problems, the following procedure is recommended:
- After the last exit, wash the system with fresh water.
- Allow the motor to dry completely in the vertical position.
- When conserving, make sure that all drainage holes are open.
Residual moisture in the cooling system is the main cause of cracks in the cylinder block in winter, regardless of the position of the motor, but horizontal storage exacerbates the flow of water into critical nodes.
Conservation rules: step-by-step instructions
To minimize the risks of storage, you need to do a proper conservation, a set of measures that will protect the engine from corrosion and aging of rubber elements, and even if you plan to store the engine vertically, these steps are mandatory.
Start by generating fuel from the carburetor, let the engine run at idle speeds, shutting off the gasoline supply until it dies itself, and prevents the fuel from oxidizing and the resins from forming in the chicklers during idle time. preservative (fog) through the candle hole.
☑️ Checklist of engine preparation for winter
External metal parts, especially if the motor was operated in salt water, must be thoroughly washed with fresh water and coated with anti-corrosion spray. Aluminum alloysThe corrosion used in outboard motors is subject to electrochemical corrosion, which actively develops in a humid environment.
| Engine element | Risks of lying down storage | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| carburetor | Fuel-to-cylinder transfer | Full fuel generation, storage strictly vertically |
| gearbox | Water flowing through the glands | Replacement of oil before storage, lubrication of oils |
| pomp | Impeller deformity | Dry storage, vertical position |
| Cylinder block | Corrosion from water residues | Blowing system, oil treatment |
Are there exceptions and alternatives?
The question of whether a outboard motor can be stored lying down sometimes has a positive answer, but only under strict conditions: Some manufacturers allow short-term storage on the side (for example, when transporting in the trunk of a car), but not for seasonal preservation. transport brackets, which lock the motor in a certain position, safe for a particular unit.
If there is a shortage of space and vertical installation is not possible, consider the following alternatives:
- 🔧 lower unit Dismantling: Removing the lower part of the engine significantly reduces the dimensions and allows you to store the main part (powerhead) on the shelf.
- 🔧 Special racks: The use of adjustable tripod racks allows you to place the motor at an angle, but not putting it completely on your side.
- 🔧 Suspension systems: In high garages, the motor can be hung by a transom bracket to the ceiling, which is an ideal option for preserving all the nodes.
⚠️ Warning: Never store the motor with only a lower unit (foot) without fixing the screw, which creates dangerous stress on the gearbox and can lead to a fall of heavy construction.
In extreme cases, if the exit, the motor can be put on the side, but strictly on a certain side (usually right, if you look from the back, so that the exhaust gases and oil residues do not flow into the ignition coil and starter, but this should be specified in the manual of a particular model).
Can I keep the engine upside down?
Absolutely not. In this position, the oil from the crankcase is guaranteed to fill the combustion chamber, and the gearbox will get water and dirt through the upper vents.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I keep a outboard motor on the balcony in winter?
Storage on an open balcony is highly undesirable, and the motor will be exposed to ultraviolet light (the destruction of plastic and rubber), temperature changes (condensation inside the knots), and precipitation. If there is no other way out, the motor must be in a dense, breathing case, raised above the floor and securely secured from falling.
Do I need to drain the oil from the gearbox for the winter?
It is not necessary to drain the oil completely if you are sure that the oil is leaky. However, it is best practice to change the oil before storage to eliminate the presence of water and wear products. Old oil can be aggressive to the inner walls of the gearbox during idle time.
How do I know if the engine was not properly stored?
Signs of improper storage include: difficulty starting, white exhaust smoke (burning oil/water), presence of an emulsion on the probe (if any), rust on the external elements, hardening of rubber seals. If after starting the engine smokes for more than 5-10 minutes, it is possible that the cylinder had oil.
Do I have to take off the battery?
Yes, the battery pack needs to be removed, fully charged and stored in a cool (but not frosty) place, recharged periodically, the battery left in the engine can run to zero and sulfate, and there is a risk of oxidation of terminals and leak currents that can damage the electronics of the motor.
How long will it take to have problems with storage?
Critical changes can begin in a few days. Fuel from the carburetor can leak in a few hours. Oil from the gearbox begins to leak when the temperature changes (expansion / compression of air inside), so the rule of "vertical storage" applies for any downtime of more than 24 hours.