The major consideration in preparing your outboard for storage is to protect it from rust, corrosion and damage caused by freezing of trapped water.

The following storage procedures should be followed to prepare your outboard for out of season storage or prolonged storage (two months or longer)

• Protect the engine from physical damage. rust, corrosion and dirt.  Do not seal in a container or wrap tightly in plastic or canvas as moisture could form and cause external and internal rust and corrosion.  Refer to the lubrication chart in your owner operation and maintenance manual
• Lubricate swivel bracket, tilt tube and control linkage
• Remove spark plugs
• Apply Quicksilver Storage Seal into carburettors and spark plug holes
• Connect spark plug wires, making sure each wire is connected to the correct spark plug
• Clean exterior of motor, including all accessible powerhead parts.  Spray with Quicksilver Corrosion Guard
• Install cowling and apply Quicksilver Corrosion Guard to all painted surfaces
• Remove propeller, lubricate propeller shaft spline and reinstall
• When storing for winter, make sure water drain holes in gear housing are open so water will drain out.  Use a piece of wire to clean out if necessary
• If a speedometer is installed in the boat disconnect the pickup tube and allow it to drain, reconnect the tube.  Trapped water will freeze, cracking the gear housing and/or water pump housing
• Drain and refill gear housing with Quickilver Gear Lube before storage.  Inspect gaskets under lubricant vent and fill plugs.  Replace damaged gaskets before reinstalling

See your Authorised Mercury Dealer for

• Part # -802875A1 Fuel System Treatment & Stabilizer    
• Part # -802878-55 Quicksilver Corrosion Guard               
• Part # -802878-56 Storage Seal Rust Inhibitor                  
• Part # -858065Q01 Quicksilver Hi-Performance Gear Lube
• Part # -802844Q02 Quicksilver Premium Gear Lube 

    WARNING:

As  a safety precaution, when your boat is in storage or transit remove positive (+) battery cable.  This eliminates the possibilty of accidental starting or cranking of the engine and overheating and damage to engine from lack of water or starter motor damage

CAUTION:

- NEVER start or operate your outboard (even momentarily) without water circulating through all the cooling water intake holes in the gearcase to prevent damage to the water pump (running dry) or overheating of the engine

- Oil injected engines - If after being in storage air bubbles can be seen in the clear oil pump hose, see your authorised dealer.  Operate the outboard on pre-mixed fuel (50:1) until the air is purged from the hose

FUEL SYSTEM:

Fuel containing alcohol (ethanol or methanol) can cause a formation of acid during storage and can damage the fuel system.  If the fuel being used contains alcohol, it is advisable to drain as much of the remaining fuel as possible from the fuel tank, remote fuel line and engine fuel system.

Fill the fuel tank and engine fuel system with treated (stabilized) fuel to help prevent formation of varnish and gum.  Proceed with the following instructions

• Portable Fuel Tank - Pour the required amount of Fuel System Treatment and Stabilizer (follow instructions on container) into the fuel tank.  Tip fuel tank back and forth the mix stabilizer with the fuel
• Permanently Installed Fuel Tank - Pour the required amount of Fuel System Treatment and Stabilizer (follow instructions on container) into a seperate container and mix with approximately one litre of fuel.  Pour this mixture into the fuel tank

 PROTECTING EXTERNAL OUTBOARD COMPONENTS:

Touch up any paint nicks (see your dealer for touch up paint)

Spray Quicksilver Corrosion Guard on external metal surfaces(except corrosion control anodes)