[Douglas Alderman]

Does it hurt to leaving the engine oil out of engine for winter. Is there enough oil in pan to cover the engine crank if leaving the oil in ? Moisture will get in anyway.

[ShabahZ250]

This just doesn't sound like a good idea. The engine is the most expensive and most critical part of the boat, I would not want to risk damaging it and ruining the future boating season. I realize winterization costs at the service facilities are a little steep, but there's a reason for that. It's done right. We all end up having to pay the price every winter, some of us winterize ourselves, and as long as they follow the engine's specified winterization procedure, there's no problem with that. It's a little bit cheaper, however most of us end up paying the outrageous service costs to have a shop do it, it's just peace of mind knowing that it'll be safe.

[mikeyt]

I gotta go along with Chris on this one. I dont know the technical reasons but it just doesnt sound like a good idea to winter-store an engine w/out the oil in it.

[Mark]

And also thats why they make fogging oil to keep a coat of oil on all the parts.

[Tom]

There is always moisture in any engine-it's just the way it is. Acids and other nasties are in your old engine oil, so it's definitely in your engine's best interest(as well as your pocketbook) to change the engine oil at the end of the season and leave it in the engine for the winter. There could be enough oil coating the crankshaft to keep rust away, but I'm not sure. I wouldn't take the chance!! I use synthetic in all my engines-it lasts longer and lubricates at least twice as well as regular oil-some say as much as four times better. If racers use it it must be good, which is what boat engines are.