Helpful Tips & Suggestions; Storing Your Outboard Motor; Storage Preparation - Honda BF5A Owner's Manual

HELPFUL TIPS & SUGGESTIONS
STORING YOUR OUTBOARD MOTOR
Storage Preparation
Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your outboard motor
troublefree and looking good. The following steps will help to keep rust and
corrosion from impairing your outboard motor's function and appearance, and
will make the engine easier to start when you use the outboard motor again.
Cleaning and Flushing
Wash the outside of the outboard motor with clean, fresh water, and flush the
cooling system as described on page 43 or 44.
Disengage the emergency engine stop switch clip from the engine stop switch,
and pull the recoil starter rope several times to expel any water remaining in
the water pump.
Touch up any damaged paint, and coat areas that may rust with a light film of
oil. Lubricate controls with a silicone spray lubricant.
Fuel
Gasoline will oxidize and deteriorate in storage. Old gasoline will cause hard
starting, and it leaves gum deposits that clog the fuel system. If the gasoline
in your fuel tank and carburetor deteriorates during storage, you may need to
have the carburetor and other fuel system components serviced or replaced.
The length of time that gasoline can be left in your fuel tank and carburetor
without causing functional problems will vary with such factors as gasoline
blend, your storage temperatures, and whether the fuel tank is partially or
completely filled. The air in a partially filled fuel tank promotes fuel deteriora-
tion. Very warm storage/temperatures accelerate fuel deterioration. Fuel
deterioration problems may occur within a few months, or even less if the
gasoline was not fresh when you filled the fuel tank.
The Distributor's Limited Warranty does not cover fuel system damage or
engine performance problems resulting from neglected storage preparation.
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