Unwinterizing a boat?

Question

I have an inboard/outboard boat that was winterized about three years ago.  I put a fresh battery in it and tried to turn it over.  It sounded like it moved the cylinders for a second, and then stuck.  The starter is drawing plenty of juice, the terminals get very hot, but the engine won't turn.   It should not have any serious problem, as it was professionally winterized.   Is there something normally done to a boat that must be undone before the starter will turn the engine over?

Thanks!

Havoc Squad · Accepted Answer

I hope you remembered to reinstall the engine cooling drain petcock and the exhaust manifold drain plugs first before starting it.  Fail to do this and your bilge will start flooding or your engine will overheat.

Secondly, a boat should not be left unran for more than 2 years.  Issues can develop if a boat engine sits unused for too long.

Third, your impeller in your sterndrive probably is very fragile now and needs replacing since it sat without use for 3 years.  Learn to replace it yourself or get it done by a certified service shop.

First, take out all the spark plugs and try to see if the starter will turn the crankshaft.

If it does not move, you have two possibilities...

The first is a bad starter which is needing replacement.

The second and much more expensive possibility is your engine has seized up.

As regarding the gas, gas goes to complete crap after 1 year without fuel stabilizer.  You need to safely remove all old gas and put new gas in your fuel tank.

barrett j · Answer

Is it turning over at all??? If it was 3 years ago your gas is probably crap. Try to pour gas in the carb to see if it runs/tries to. If it does, you have fuel issues....bad gas, bad pump, gummed up carb.

If its not turning over....check your starter

Unwinterizing a boat?

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