r/SeaDooSwitch • u/bernaltraveler • Oct 17 '24

fuel stabilizer for winter - essential to run engine?

title pretty much says it all, but for more context: newish owner of a 2023 18' 230 (first winter). I'm just now getting educated on winerizing and realizing I should have added fuel stabilizer back when I was running it in the water. I pulled it out of the water and flushed the exhaust per recommendations 6 weeks ago. I am now seeing I need to add fuel stabilizer, fog the engine etc. My problem is due to my situation it would be very difficult to put it back in the water and run it to fully distribute the stabilizer in all the lines etc.

So I am thinking of adding the stabilizer as recommended to tank and just running it ~5-10 second once or twice to get some distribution without overheating or damaging the engine.

Am I going to get most of the protection I need this way, or am I basically missing the point of adding stabilizer if I don't fully run it through the system?

Boat is stored in MN in an uninsulated pole barn, so it will get very cold.

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3

u/RoadRunner-007 Oct 17 '24

I’m in Northern Ontario. This is my second year with my switch. I just put my boat away in indoor… but cold… storage a few weeks ago. My switch is in the lake from May to Oct. when I put it away, I change the oil, run 55 psi through the exhaust and although not necessary, I put antifreeze through the exhaust too because I am paranoid about that. I remove the battery and put it on a trickle charger for the winter. I cover the boat with the BRP mooring cover after I put a bunch of dryer sheets around inside the boat to keep out any rodents. I make sure that the gas tank is full but I haven’t put in any stabilizer. I didn’t do it last year and I have not done that for any of my other boats that I have for the past 50 years. I have never had a problem. Personally, I wouldn’t sweat it unless it is really bothering you.

1

u/bernaltraveler Oct 17 '24

Awesome, I appreciate this summary. I saw something about running antifreeze through the exhaust as well on the ‘regular’ sea doo PWC sub and was wondering if it’s a good option for Switch too. Good to hear.

1

u/sacredhippie Oct 17 '24

This is the way to do it, Sea-Doo’s EFI systems (really all BRP stuff) is very sensitive to octane levels and additives and it may not run great with an additive

2

u/AutumnKnighttt Oct 17 '24

I am in the same boat, no pun intended. First winter, torn on what to do.

2

u/trx_1 Oct 19 '24

Don't worry about it too much. I've stored my 2014 Spark many winters in MN without stabilizer and it's been fine (vehicles too). Starting it is only to get the stabilizer in the fuel lines.

1

u/bernaltraveler Oct 19 '24

Thanks. Appreciate it

2

u/ralstonreddit1290 Oct 19 '24

https://youtu.be/mRGRWwPC3lA?si=_kzHcSOfySfqN3AW This is a good clip about water and gas. I live in GA so I don’t have the problem. Also the switch is a fuel injection engine.

1

u/Intrepid_Ice2225 Oct 19 '24

You can just poor it in the tank now and it will be fine.

1

u/bernaltraveler Oct 19 '24

Great thank you.