draining your outboard at ramp

Dirt · **Posted:** Fri Nov 04, 2016 12:50 pm

I searched this topic but failed to find the answer, I know it was discussed here a few years ago, just wondering if all you have to do is trim down your motor to fully drain it, I am starting to fish later into the fall and concerned about freezing . what do you guys do ?

BigMac · **Joined:** Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:18 pm **Posts:** 1383

If it's above freezing outside I will just drop it all the way down and let it drain for a few mins.

If it's below freezing I do this and turn it over just to blow out the water from water pump. Just for a second or two. Some would say not to do this as it'll wreck the impeller but I've never had a problem and know many others that do it.

SlowNSteady · **Joined:** Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:32 am **Posts:** 96

Thanks BigMac.
I have thought about that for a couple years now...
It seems like it would do more good than harm.
I will be taking your advise and trying it this year.

It cant be worse than forgetting the engine is out of the water and starting it up lol

dani · **Joined:** Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:03 pm **Posts:** 54

We hunt ducks into late DEC /JAN and only leave them down to drain at the ramp and never had a problem. Back at it the next weekend and been doing that for 20 plus years.

Cjriggzzz · **Joined:** Mon Apr 04, 2016 7:40 am **Posts:** 24

I roll the engine for a few seconds aswell never had an issue yet and I'm out there until I get froze out of the boat ramps

Dirt · **Posted:** Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:25 am

Thanx guys !

tomfoolery · **Joined:** Fri Nov 12, 2004 3:32 pm **Posts:** 144

Hasn't been a problem rolling it over for a few seconds in the past. All the rubber and seals will still be wet and pliable from just being run in the water.

teppy · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2016 12:00 am

Been doing that for 21 years, motor is still going fine.
Drop it down, let it drain, dry fire it for a few seconds, all good!

Walleye 9 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:05 pm **Posts:** 1985

I've tried draining the motor tilted down at the ramp, turning it over a few times and leaving it down overnight. But still if the temps drop below zero overnight, she is frozen in the morning. Not sure why it doesn't work on my motor.

mux - walleyes only · **Posted:** Fri Nov 11, 2016 8:06 am

Do as above, then disconnect (unscrew) the water pump line from the shaft to the motor head and gravity drain the line.

sinker · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:57 pm **Posts:** 85

Walleye 9 wrote:

I've tried draining the motor tilted down at the ramp, turning it over a few times and leaving it down overnight. But still if the temps drop below zero overnight, she is frozen in the morning. Not sure why it doesn't work on my motor.

Check the line that comes off the engine to the Pee hole. If water gets trapped in there it will freeze and block the line.

What kind of engine is it? Most engines exhaust the water used to cool the engine through the prop, so you don't see it. The water coming out of the indicator (pee hole) is just overflow and usually doesn't even get warm. It will thaw after running for a bit.

I just drop my motor and it drains. the odd time I won't have water coming out of the indicator first thing, but I am still pumping water. After a short run, it clears out.

S.

Walleye 9 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:05 pm **Posts:** 1985

The motor is a 2007 Merc 4 stroke. I will check the line. It just makes me nervous when I don't see water coming out of the pee hole.

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draining your outboard at ramp

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