Getting Your Mud Motor Ready for Storage
Mud Motor Maintenance
When the waterfowl hunting season has come and gone, there are a few things that happen. First, you reminisce over the season, thinking of all your best days, how the year went, and the goals you met. Then, if you are anything like us, you go into that post-season depression. It is hard to let duck hunting season go and be okay with the off-season. While it is a challenge to get through the upcoming months without becoming a little impatient, there is another thing you need to do first—winterizing your mud motor.
As the season closes, and you strap those covers down for the last time, it's the perfect opportunity to get that motor ready for storage. The winterization process helps prevent rust, gunk, condensation build-up, and keeps the engine healthy. If you fail to prepare your mud motor properly, it could collect unnecessary damage during the months it isn't in use.
Don't skip the off-season prep, here is everything you need to do to get your mud motor ready for storage.
How to Prepare Your Mud Motor for Off-Season Storage.
REMEMBER: The steps you take to store a carbureted motor are different from storing an EFI (Fuel Injected) motor.
5 Steps For EFI (Fuel Injected) Motors
1. Fill the Tank With Fresh Gasoline
Many mud motor owners fail to fill the tank before storing it for the off-season. By filling your tank with gas, you decrease the chance of getting air in the tank. Air is bad for your gas tank because air allows condensation build-up. So, top off your engine with fresh, treated gasoline.
2. Add Fuel Stabilizer
As you fill your gas tank, combine it with a fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizer additionally helps prevent build-up. Along with decreasing the chances of condensation in your tank, this additive protects your fuel lines, fuel injectors, and carburetors, as well.
3. Run The Engine For 10-15 Minutes
This will allow that fresh treated gasoline to work its way through the engine and hoses, replacing any of the old fuel.
4. Performe Routine Maintenance
Now is the perfect time to do another round of maintenance. Change the spark plugs, change the air filter, change the fuel filter and change the oil and oil filter.
5. Disconnect the battery
This will increase the life of your battery.
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8 Steps For Carbureted Motors
1. Use Fresh Gasoline
2. Add Fuel Stabilizer
Using fresh, treated gasoline will help clean and protect your engine.
3. Run The Engine For 10-15 Minutes
This will allow that fresh treated gasoline to work its way through the engine and hoses, replacing any of the old fuel.
4. Shut Off Fuel To The Engine
5. Run The Engine Until Completely Out Of Fuel
It is important to store your motor completely empty of fuel.
6. Start Engine With Choke Open Until It No Longer Starts
7. Perform Routine Maintenance
Now is the perfect time to do another round of maintenance. Change the spark plugs, change the air filter, change the fuel filter and change the oil and oil filter.
8. Disconnect The Battery
This will increase the life of your battery.
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Before you take your mud motor off to your storage unit, follow through with your final inspections. Here is what we suggest looking over:
- Check your exhaust system for corrosion.
- Inspect hoses and clamps.
- Seal-off cracks from any additional air intake.
- Take care of your mud motor battery by removing it from the boat or hooking it up to a charger.
- Cover your boat with a quality mud motor cover that fully seals the inside of the boat.
- Keep your boat safe by investing in theft prevention.
Do you take any other steps before you store your mud motor for the off-season? Let us know by leaving a comment below. If you have any additional questions, contact the Mud Buddy Motors team. We would love to help you get ready for the on- and off-season.
For other videos on servicing your mud motor, check out some of the videos from our service playlist!
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