Preparing Engine For Storage - Westerbeke ATOMIC 4 Operation And Maintenance Manual

shafting and propeller caused by
the shock of rapid shifting at high
engine speeds.
9. COLD WEATHER OPERATION
Special precautions must be taken
when operating engines in cold
weather to insure efficient opera-
tion and to prevent damage to the
engine. Some items to be considered
are listed below:
a. Keep battery fully charged to
prevent freezing and to get maximum
starting power.
b. Be sure fuel lines and tanks are
free of water to prevent stoppage
in the fuel system due to freezing.
c. Substitute lighter engine oil.
See Table
4.
d. When engine is stopped after a
run, drain all water from cylinder
block, water pump, and water lines
before the water has time to freeze.
Starting an engine with the water
pump frozen will probably break the
drive shaft or damage the gears. Be
sure the water pump is thoroughly
thawed out before attempting to
start the engine.
e. Extra choking or external heat
may be required to get sufficient
vaporization in the manifold for
cold starts.
f. Give the engine sufficient time
to warm up both water and oil be-
fore subjecting it to heavy loads.
10. PREPARING ENGINE FOR STORAGE
Neglect in preparing an engine for
winter storage may lead to annoying
and costly damage. The engine shoulu
be carefully covered to give com-
plete protect ion from rain and snow.
a. Cylinder Block
Open all drain cocks on cylinder
block. Leave drain cocks open.
-37-
b. Manifold
Open drain cocks in exhaust manifold
and drain watet from the manifold.
c. Water Pump
Water pumps are particularly sus-
ceptible to damage from freezing.
The pump should be carefully drained.
A drain plug is provided on the bot-
tom of the pump housing. Six cylin-
der engines are equipped wi th Jabsco
pumps and to drain loosen end cover.
d. Lubrication System
The oil pan and lubrication system
should be drained of old or conta-
minated oils so that moisture or
acid present in the old oil will
not cause corrosion. Two or three
quarts of new, clean oil should be
pumped through the system by turning
the motor by hand or electric starter.
Doing so will distribute a clean
film of oil which will act as a
rust preventative.
e. Cylinders
Remove the spark plugs and pour one
or two ounces of new oil into the
combustion chamber of each cylinder
to give lubr icat ion to piston rings,
cylinder walls, and valves. Turn
the engine over a few times to be
sure of distribution before repla-
cing spark plugs.
f. Valves and Tappets
Remove the valve tappet covers and
oil valves and tappets with clean
oil. Replace tappet covers and
seal breather tube end with tape.
g. Distributor
See that the distributor is clean
and well lubricated. Special care
should be
ta~en
to prevent the en-
trance of moisture during storage.
h. Starting Motor
The start ing motor must be protected
against rain and snow. The starter
pinion and screw shaft should be
clean and covered with a film of
light oil. The bearings should.be
well lubricated. The motor should
be sealed to prevent corrosion of