BF50 Winterizing - does it need antifreeze?

[Tomfoolery]

I'm new to large(ish) outboards. My has a '99 Honda BF50. I've been all through the owner's manual, the service manual, and every web site I can find, but I can't find a definitive answer (not even here) to the question of whether or not the engine completely drains itself of cooling water when shut off and left standing in a vertical orientation.

Last year, when I got this boat, I ran antifreeze through the cooling system by putting the lower unit in a large bucket with a LOT of antifreeze in it. It was a lot of work, so this year I was going to invest in a flushing kit that I could connect with a short hose to a jug of antifreeze so I could run some through that way.

After more searching online, I found several posts in various forums where folks recommended only letting the engine drain itself dry - no antifreeze, and no other work than the usual draining of carbs, changing of fluids, etc.

So the question is, will the engine drain itself down completely once shut off, so I don't have to run antifreeze through it?

I'm not in North Dakota, but it ain't exactly warm here either, and I don't want to find out the hard way I should have taken the extra steps.

[Russ]

My Suzuki doesn't mention running antifreeze through it for winterizing either. However, I like to anyway for the anti-corrosive properties of coating the surfaces with AF. Mine has a garden hose port that I "pour" the stuff into. It all drains out, but it gives me peace of mind to know I did that. To each his own.

The manual DOES state to store it in the lowered position for draining. Makes sense, plus it keeps water from entering the prop hub.

[133bhp]

I was concerned on my tohatsu the first winter - I figured I would drain as normal and turn it over on the strtaer briefly to eject the bulk of water in and around the pump. plenety of severe frosts and no damage. Impeller perfect conditiion. Since seen it recommened in the manual.

[Divecoz]

My Merc 4 strk. 50 HP EFI BF completely drains when left in the Vert. Position for a few minutes.. That's "basically" all I do for the winter..
Good to go , 7 years running here outside, Chicago

ON EDIT: I Forgot to say how long this has worked.. its 7 years running now..

[RobertB]

Check you owner's or service manual. Personall, I buy the service manuals on all vehicles I own - much better info than the dumbed down owner's manuals.

I have an Evinrude ETEC and it has a "fogging" mode where it upps the concentration of oil at fast idle until the engine "floods out" with oil. This is the only winterizing on that engine (other than making sure water is drained out of the case).

[Tomfoolery]

I've been through both the owner's and the shop manual, and nothing about winterizing.

From what everyone is saying here (and elsewhere on the web), it will drain down completely so I don't have to run antifreeze through it, which makes life much easier for me.

[Catigale]

TK...I just let my Merc 50 stand straight up all winter, here in Albany

No problem for past 10 years

[DaveB]

You are correct, but water does sit in the Thermostate jacket , very small amount . I would get a 30 gal. bucket, add a gal of antifreeze and run engine min. 5 min. @2500 rpms so the thermostate opens up and flushes with the protected fluid thruout the water way passage to prevent corrision.
This will give clear water openings at spring time.
Remember that there are sensors that monitor Oil/Water and others that need clean tubeing to regulate, those can shut down your engine if not clean.
Know were these sensors are and wires to disconnect if there is a over heating or a sensor problem.
Disconnecting them can override the system but you still have a problem.
Dave

I've been through both the owner's and the shop manual, and nothing about winterizing.

From what everyone is saying here (and elsewhere on the web), it will drain down completely so I don't have to run antifreeze through it, which makes life much easier for me.

[Québec 1]

No.


I have a 2003 bf 50 and my boat and motor stay outside through out the winter with just a tarp. Winterizing is simple:

1. I Unhook the gas line and run the motor until the motor stops (with the motor in a tub of water, so as not to burn out the motor)
2. I then untilt the motor till it is perfectly vertical so water does not freeze in the foot of the motor.

I've done this for 4 years.
Q1

[Divecoz]

K eep I t S imple as many have said and as I have done for over 40 years.. Basically .. Run try.. let it drain naturally and be done with it.
.. I have Literally lived Border to Border and Coast to Coast .. and that's all I have ever done.. From Mexico to Maine and New York to L.A.
Its just that simple..

[WASP18]

What else is done to winterize outboard motors?

[vizwhiz]

"Winterizing"?? What's that?

[Catigale]

It's when we fly down to visit you in our pasty while Speedoes and jam up your rods, ogle the women, and whine that Florida bagels don't taste like the ones in Brooklyn.....

[kurz]

with my merc60 efi I had no problem last year. The boat was in the water and I let the motor position down.

It was very cold for 10 days, in the harbours where the water could not circulate the lake was frozen. No problems with the motor

MY QESTION: When I want to store the motor in position "up" an the boat will stay in the water:

Can I run the motor in the "up position" til no water is coming out to empty the system? Or will still remain water?

[Divecoz]

OK I went out and checked mine and came to NO CONCLUSION.. I hooked a hose up and started it again ( Kept me from having to help with the Garage /Moving Sale .. for a little while anyway.. )) My findings were? when I shut her down a lot of water did come out.. was it as much as usual? Well when I lowered her down ? More came out? How much? Only a couple of cups.. would that have in time drained? I don't know. Would it be enough to damage your engine if it didn't? I don't know that either but it got me out of having to help with the Garage Sale

with my merc60 efi I had no problem last year. The boat was in the water and I let the motor position down.

It was very cold for 10 days, in the harbours where the water could not circulate the lake was frozen. No problems with the motor

MY QESTION: When I want to store the motor in position "up" an the boat will stay in the water:

Can I run the motor in the "up position" til no water is coming out to empty the system? Or will still remain water?