Forum Discussion
Matt_Colie
Sep 18, 2023Explorer II
Camp,
I live a little west of you just off on I-94, and we have had the same small A for 18 years. I am an "engine guy" and have also done a lot of boat work for others (and Money).
As far as the engines go, fill the fuel after the last excursion of the year. This is to limit the air space in the tanks that will both lessen the evaporation of the lighter parts of the fuel and limit the tank's "breathing" that brings in moisture.
If you might be laying her up for longer than an SE MI winter, learn how to "Fog" the engines to prevent internal corrosion. Once done, LEAVE THEN ALONE. This is not really all that important if she is just to be quiet from October to February. The humidity here gets real low. Boats usually have to sit through April.
If you do not know all about winterizing the potable water and waste plumbing. Best learn that now. There are two ways to do it. Blow the water out with compressed air or buy lots of Red Pop and fill the system with that. The water heater is a chronic issue, but it can be managed too. I like the air method because I only have to buy about a gallon a year and that is cheap at Menards. If the water heater doesn't have a by pass, consider installing one.
Lastly, the people that say to "exercise" the generator are the same people that sell parts. Best thing for that is to fog it and then drain the fuel out of the carburetor. Many small carburetors have a screw at the bottom for just this purpose. If it does not, clamp off the fuel line and run it until it stops. The varnish in the windings has been moisture proof since WWII.
Matt_C
I live a little west of you just off on I-94, and we have had the same small A for 18 years. I am an "engine guy" and have also done a lot of boat work for others (and Money).
As far as the engines go, fill the fuel after the last excursion of the year. This is to limit the air space in the tanks that will both lessen the evaporation of the lighter parts of the fuel and limit the tank's "breathing" that brings in moisture.
If you might be laying her up for longer than an SE MI winter, learn how to "Fog" the engines to prevent internal corrosion. Once done, LEAVE THEN ALONE. This is not really all that important if she is just to be quiet from October to February. The humidity here gets real low. Boats usually have to sit through April.
If you do not know all about winterizing the potable water and waste plumbing. Best learn that now. There are two ways to do it. Blow the water out with compressed air or buy lots of Red Pop and fill the system with that. The water heater is a chronic issue, but it can be managed too. I like the air method because I only have to buy about a gallon a year and that is cheap at Menards. If the water heater doesn't have a by pass, consider installing one.
Lastly, the people that say to "exercise" the generator are the same people that sell parts. Best thing for that is to fog it and then drain the fuel out of the carburetor. Many small carburetors have a screw at the bottom for just this purpose. If it does not, clamp off the fuel line and run it until it stops. The varnish in the windings has been moisture proof since WWII.
Matt_C
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