Cold Weather Tips

Mud Buddy motors are built, tested and run in the most extreme temperatures in the mountains of Utah.  However, cold temperatures will test the toughest components on any mechanical or electrical system.  Keep the engine covered when not in use, at home, or at duck camp, and follow these simple advices.

Frozen throttle cable - Longtail, remove insert wire, spray WD-40 with straw sprayer until it exits the other end.  Short Tails - grease both ends of cable frequently. It globs which provides water drip points to help keep water out of the cable assembly. All models - elevate the last 6" of cable at both ends above the throttle or motor end so water can not enter the cable sleeve.  Do this by placing a wire tie about 6" from the end, tighten, then pull the cable to form a loop which is higher than the end.  Water will not flow up hill.  If the cable is frozen in the field, do not force the throttle to work.  Warm the cable with your hands.  If the cable breaks, you can attach a boot or decoy string to the throttle linkage and get back to the dock.  Caution:  If you warm a throttle cable and it works, expect it to freeze again in minutes.  If so, and running full speed, do not turn the engine off to stop (this will swamp your boat), simply pull out the choke and the engine will slow down.  Do not run the motor again until the water is removed from the throttle cable.   Tip:  Use Napa Sil-Glyde, part # 765-1353, a spray can silicone based lubricant that is superior in cold climates.

Steering - Both horizontal and vertical tubes.  Grease with good grade of marine grade grease monthly, November through January.

Drive - Carry an extra prop and oversize prop wrench.  We have only seen three props actually loose a blade the past 12 years, but you wouldn't want to be one of them this time of year.

Wiring - Do not chip ice from wiring.  Do not pull on wires.  Cover the engine to keep moisture from entering components, switches and wiring connections which can freeze later and cause electrical failures.  Spray with WD-40 weekly

Trim Switch - We have seen a half dozen trim switches break this year due to impacts or frozen switch rockers.  Do not force switches if iced over and froze.  Thaw out handle or use deicer spray.  We had one ice up after a snow storm this weekend and it was a under a block of ice.  We impatiently tried to thaw and free it up and it broke.  Things happen.  We have a couple thousand of these switches out there and for the most part, they work well.  If for some reason you break one, no matter who is at fault, incident or accident, we will replace it free of charge with standard UPS shipping.  If a switch breaks, sometimes it will work in one direction only.  You can remove the access cover and swap the center wires, which will reverse the current.  Trim to an average depth and use it to get back to the dock.  Or, remove the bottom actuator bolt and it will work manually. Call us for a replacement on a Monday and you will have it before the next weekend.  Spray with WD-40 weekly.

Fuel - These are the most common cold weather issues.  Use good grade 87 octane or better.  Check for water in fuel tank by shining a flashlight into the tank in a dark area.  You will see small diamonds in the bottom.  Use a fuel additive to remove fuel moisture in every tank. If the motor is stalling, place the fuel tank on the seat or elevated position.  If the engine now runs fine, call us or see service center; it could be a weak fuel pump, oil in fuel pump pulse line or carb blockage.  Caution:  Fuel tank quick disconnects and primer bulbs restrict fuel flow and can cause full throttle stalls. That is why we send our motors out with a standard hose and free-flow barb connection.

Carb Freezing - Symptoms include loss of power, poor idle and black exhaust smoke.  Remedy; you will need to extract warm air from the muffler face to heat carburetor.  Remove warm air aides when operating over 40 degrees.  Do not draw air from exhaust manifold, from the face of muffler only, to prevent overheating, head and cylinder damage on warm days.

Flat air cleaner large block Vans and Kawasaki; turn air cleaner inlet towards exhaust.  Cover engine when traveling or in storage while motor is tipped in up, locked travel position to keep water from entering air cleaner assembly and freezing. If you need additional warm air, Pep Boys Mighty Flow # 96034 will fit over the flanged intake.  Cut off the 1/4" outer flange and use Napa # 825 -4026 if you don't have a Pep Boys in your area.

Donaldson large Vans; turn air cleaner element so intake is parallel to the top of engine.  Add a small piece of heater tube, extending the intake to the muffler face.  Use Napa heat riser tube, part # 825-4026 or Pep Boys Mighty Flow # 96049.  Use half the length and silicone the inside of the tube and air cleaner intake to install. Spray silicone on the inside and outside to help weatherproof.  It is a tight fit, but will stay on, once in place.  Remove when temperatures rise above 50 degrees.

Kohler; drill a 2 1/4" hole in rear of air cleaner and add heat riser tube extended towards muffler, Napa # 825-4026 or Pep Boys Mighty Flow # 96049.   You can also place smaller 1" holes, but the 2" tube works best. You can also tape the two triangle air filter/blower housing intakes located above the blower housing under the air filter, but do this only for extreme cold, and remove immediately as soon as the temperature warms to prevent vapor lock, head and cylinder damage. Kohler placed these vents there for a very good reason, to prevent engine intake overheating in warm weather.  Use only a few inches heat riser tubing, leaving enough room for adequate air intake.   Spray silicone on the inside and outside to help weatherproof.  Remove when temperatures rise above 50 degree.

Oil - Use synthetic 10W30 or a blend.

Storage - Park out of the weather if possible, on the sheltered side of garage, barn etc. We sell engine storage covers.  

Battery - At least 540 cranking amps.  Do yourself a big favor and get a new battery every two years. If the battery will not charge, place a voltage meter on the battery when running.  When the engine charger is working, it will read above 13 volts.  If the charger is bad, it will read 12 volts or less.  If so, take to a service center.  Carry an inexpensive battery pack, or extra battery during extremely cold weather.  Always use the choke to start.  If the engine won't start, trying pouring a half 12 ga hull of fuel into the carb.  If it then starts, do this a couple times, cover the engine with grass, engine cover or whatever and let the engine sit. You might have water in the fuel.  Letting it sit will warm the carb and melt ice particles. This will get you home, but place moisture removing additive in fuel soonest. 

Travel Lock on HD Sport - This does not happen often, but in temperatures below 15, water splash can cause the lock to freeze.  Remove and spray with WD-40 to reduce freezing.  Loctite the threads. If frozen, do not heat with propane torch.  Use hair dryer, or squeeze with your hand to thaw. Twist in clockwise direction to break free.

Safety - Let others know where you are going.  Carry a cel phone inside a plastic zip lock bag.  Outfit your boat with an emergency kit, fire starter, dry clothes, small tarp, etc.  And, read this.  You can die if: