Is it bad to run motor in 30 degrees or less temp?

[BassManGuy]

I live in the suburbs of chicago, and one of those crazy guys that still goes out when it is 25 degrees or less air temp to fish the rivers with warm water discharges on them. Water temp doesn't get colder than 45-50 degrees. I have a 2002 Vmax HPDI 200, I let the engine warm up in the morning for about 10-15 min idling before I take off, and then when I get to my spot to fish I usually let it idle for about 5 minutes before shutting it down. Is this type of cold weather bad for the engine to run in? is there anything else I should be doing to prevent problems other than what I mentioned?

[Rich Z]

I think you ok, just put her in a warm place when you done fishin so she wont freeze up.

[wildkat7]

We fish year round down here...been 15 degrees when launching the boat multiple times...just make sure you let it warm up and go fishing. Make sure, since you have an HPDI, that you warm it up in gear as out of gear won't warm all your cylinders.

[dward51]

My concern would be to make sure the lower unit is drained of all the water once you are done.

If the boat is trailered, just load on the trailer and tilt down and the water should free drain. I would give it a minute or so and then tilt back up to tow like normal. If it's in a boat lift, I would leave it tilted down and just lift out of water and leave it. If it's stored at the dock in the water but not on a lift, leave the unit tilted down.

Once the engine starts the heat from the running motor will keep freezing from being an issue while you are running. Only possible issue I can see is if you anchor up or troll a long time on the trolling motor and have the outboard tilted up. There will be water in the lower unit water passages that stays in while tilted and if it is cold enough for long enought the water might freeze.

[falcooon]

No expert here but...

Make absolutely sure that the engine is REALLY warmed up before any highs speed runs. After idle warm up, keep speed down in gear until everything expands to where it need to be. Merc Opti's had this problem when the piston heats and expands rapidly but the cooling jacketed sleeves were cold ..Results ...SEIZED!

Be patient and thorough with warm up, under load and you should be ok.

The only other thing I would be concerned with is the the speedo and water pressure tube freezing and bursting after your done. You may want to drain these depending on exposure time to freezing temps.

Good Luck and take extra caution. Falling overboard can be quickly fatal!


Glad I live in S/E Texas!

[Neilslure]

I have a temp gauge on my motor. Initial warm up takes maybe 5 minutes. When I restart to change spots I make sure it is back close to where it should be before I take off. When I take out, I disconnect my water pressure gauge so it can drain. I trim my motor down as soon as I hit the parking lot and last thing I do is tilt it up to put the motor toter on. When I get home I lower the motor again to be sure no water will collect in it.

[Flyswatter]

Good thread. I have launched in 19° temps. What is the proper engine temperature before take off? I have that data available on my gauges.

[Neilslure]

My motor runs around 120-124 in the dead of winter.

[Flyswatter]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Neilslure &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">My motor runs around 120-124 in the dead of winter.</td></tr></table>

Thanks!

I was out in 29° to 31° temps today and my Yamaha Vmax SHO ran smooth as silk.

[Ranger391v]

You ain't got a thing to worry about.

Just let it warm up, and take off. When you get home, make sure all the water is out of all the passages in the block, mid section, and lower unit.

Waterfowl Hunters do it all the time .............. and in a lot colder air/water temps than this.

When you got to back the boat in the water to unfreeze the boat from the trailer bunks so it will float off the trailer .......... THEN you're starting to get a little chilly.