has anyone ever had there outboard freeze

Paul Zelenka

Paul Zelenka

Member
I went down to the boat launch today and went to start my outboard and I couldn't pull the cord. I couldn't figure out what was going on. It started two days ago. I put it in my truck with the heat running for a 1/2 hr and it was fine. I put it on the boat and we used it. When it was sitting for about two hrs it froze up again. Has this ever happened to anyone else and is it normal or is something wrong with it. Its a Yamaha 15 hp.
 
Paul,

When it gets this cold you have to make sure that you dont tilt up the motor for to long or the water in the motor will freeze. If possible keep the lower unit in the water to prevent this from happening. When you get back to the ramp let the motor back down while you get things ready for the trip home then tilt it back up for the ride home. I keep a cut down 55 gallon drum of non-tox at home to flush the motor in and the still let it sit down in the running position. The non-tox is not really necessary but it makes me feel better.
 
Paul, when I lived in Vermont, I modified a set of muffs by adding a short piece of hose and a large funnel. When we got to the ramp, lowered the motor, installed the muffs. Ran the motor while running bio-degradable RV antifreeze through until the orange/pink was coming out the piss hole. Never had a problem while doing this with the motor freezing up. Cheap insurance as far as I was concerned. Bought the antifreeze by the case which lasted the whole season.

Dave
 
something that should be draining isn't. It should not freeze.

I'd suggest burping it, but alas Iowa's most proficient goldeneye shooter would be flattered.

T
 
I have seen lower units freeze up when temp drops into the teens. Just have to make sure all the water drains out of the motor. As posted before you may have a drainage problem that is keeping water up in the motor.
 
When you get the boat out of the water at the end of the hunt, lower the motor down into running position and start the motor. Run it at a fast idle for 15 seconds and you will clear the remaining water out of the motor and telltale hose.

I've watched the commercial fisherman do this since I was young and have never had any problems with this procedure.

I've also seen the old timers building a fire under their leaky lower units to thaw the gears but can't say I'd recommend this in anything other than an emergency.
 
Paul, I hunt the St. Lawrence mostly in December, the temps are always below freezing. What I do at the end of the day when I pull the boat out is tilt the motor down and
run it for about 10 seconds while it on the trailer. That will remove any water remaining in the engine. Never have problems with freezing.
Your problems sounds more like a safety neutral switch to me.
Dean.
 
When you get the boat out of the water at the end of the hunt, lower the motor down into running position and start the motor. Run it at a fast idle for 15 seconds and you will clear the remaining water out of the motor and telltale hose.

I've watched the commercial fisherman do this since I was young and have never had any problems with this procedure.
Click to expand...


I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND DOING THIS very hard on motor. besides why... let the water drain... then tilt it up... nuff said.
 
When you get the boat out of the water at the end of the hunt, lower the motor down into running position and start the motor. Run it at a fast idle for 15 seconds and you will clear the remaining water out of the motor and telltale hose.

I've watched the commercial fisherman do this since I was young and have never had any problems with this procedure.
Click to expand...


I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND DOING THIS very hard on motor. besides why... let the water drain... then tilt it up... nuff said.
Click to expand...
Hard on the motor? .....not as hard as trying to start it with ice in the impeller. Sure it will do damage if run dry, but we are talking about 15 seconds right after it comes out of the water in cold weather. Been doing it for 35 years, have not burnt a water pump yet.
Why?.....You can drain it for 10 minutes but if you start it you will see spray from the outlet and telltale. Wouldn't take much to freeze a water pump. Things don't always work as designed when the temperatures get cold.
 
When you pull it up onto the trailer, or take it off the boat, put it the upright position and just turn it over a few times with the starter cord or the starter, leave upright and the pump housing et al will drain. No need to start it dry.
If you had tilted up the engine in freezing temps after running it, let it back down into the water a few minutes before starting. The warmer water temp will thaw any ice in the pump housing.
 
I think so the switch is designed to protect from starting while in gear, might want to check the gear linkage is not sticking/hanging in forward or reverse.
 
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