winterization oops

I was attempting to do the usual winterization fogging on my '96 Johnson 88Special. The red air intake valve cap would not unscrew to give me access for attaching the fog oil so I grabbed it with a pair of pliers and the entire valve lifted out. When I jammed the valve back in and turned the valve to accept the fogging oil the oil would not go into the carb and just squirted out onto the boat regardless of which way I turned the valve. Will I now need to replace the air intake valve or should I be able to "work" with it until I get it working again? If I just leave it alone (in place) and perform winterization by removing spark plugs and squirting fogging oil into the cylinders is there any danger while running the motor during next season?

Its just a sheraider (sp??lol) valve...some have it some don't. Just remove the air box cover and run the motor for the last time while spraying the fogging oil into carb throats. Shut the engine off and your good. Does the same thing. The valve just makes it easier and quicker. Better to go through the carbs as you'll get in on both sides of the pistons, in the carb throats, and on the crank and reeds. If you put it in the spark plug holes it will just sit in the cylinders. Just my opinion...but I wouldn't spend the money on the little valve...just remove the cover and do it that way.

"but I wouldn't spend the money on the little valve...just remove the cover and do it that way"
Appreciate the advice, will give that a look.

Hey Scrapper, another related question... when I take off the air box cover to access the carb do you know if that will require a new gasket to be put on when I place it back? In other words do I need to buy a new gasket before removing the cover or is that just a simple screw removal and put back in place?

Not Scrapper but, I have an '80 model 85HP and when I take out the screws, there's 5 of them, I tap the cover and it pops off. so far I haven't had to replace the gasket. It's cork and only "glued" to one side.

The older ones didn't even have a gasket...really doesn't matter much...they don't have air filters anyways. Sorry, got snowed out of school...where my computer is. :)