What's the other option, doing it yourself? Or a new daily beater? We just paid an large bill on the 99' F250 repairs, it was a drop in the bucket to get either a used or new 3/4 ton to replace it.
Yes, the water will just run out. I'd say to be sure you can run it for 2-3 seconds out of water to be sure, but I've never had to do anything like this on an outboard. You should drain the lower unit oil, and fill it with new oil. That way, if for any reason any water guy in the lower unit, it will be fine and it then can't freeze and possibly cause damage. Plus it's all set for next season then. Fog the cylinders and you'll be set, or run some stabil. Does the same thing really.
Never ever run an outboard motor out of water. Use a lake or barrel or a “muff” the residual is designed to drain out. Defiantly change the lower oil if you plan to store it where it’s going to freeze. If you don’t know the age of the water pump impeller or it’s more than 3 seasons old it would be good piece of mind to replace it over the winter. I’m guessing it’s two stroke? If you can get some e free fuel to run through it that’s best it is expensive but so is paying someone to clean the carb. There may also be a drain on the bowl. Disconnect the fuel run the motor out and drain the bowl. some folks get away with just sticking it in the corner for the winter. Too many times i have experienced lots of frustration due to poorly maintained outboards. It sucks getting towed off the lake or traveling hours to find out your motor don’t run properly.
I have a 2008 50 HP outboard, 2 stroke. Most of your questions have been answered. One thing I might add as far as the gas goes, I run no ethanol gas, and always add fuel line cleaner to the gas, below is what I use. I bought the boat used, and it had fuel problems, the big culprit was the fuel pump, it needed to be rebuilt. I also decided to rebuild the carburetors. It has 3 carbs, and as I cracked each one open I was amazed how clean they were, by the time I got to the 3rd one, I asked myself "why am I doing this?". Of course you don't know going into it. I'm a believer in fuel line cleaner. That tip was passed onto me by the boat shop owner.
Happy birthday Chaz !!! I went for a walk with my wife yesterday, and we always talk about all sorts of stuff on our walls, when I can walk with her. I mentioned I saw an ad on FB marketplace that there's a guy selling 12 cords of 8' long oak logs for $1400. She didn't say no, in fact she thought that was a great deal. The only issue I see is where I'd have it delivered. My lot that my house is on is on a cul de sac. Not really much road frontage because our 1 acre lot is shaped like a baseball diamond. At bare minimum she didn't say no, so maybe that's what I do in the near future?
