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Taking the boat tomorrow to be re-carpeted. I'm sure it will be sitting outside for a week or more in single digit temps. Needed to change the lower unit oil anyway, and don't have new oil on hand so I just drained it and put the plugs back. Any danger in letting it sit in super cold temps with no oil in the lower unit?
It could possibly sweat ( condensation) and get moisture in your lower unit.
...even with the plugs in place where no air can circulate...?
What if I leave the top plug out so temps can equalize?
You should never leave a lower unit empty. As the oil drains off the gears and bearings and condensation forms they will rust.
you would be better off leaving the oil in it! Never leave it emtpy. With the gears exposed to air and moisture from condensation it will begin to rust. If you leave the top plug out moisture will definitely get in and be really bad. Put oil back in it.
theysaid .... plus, if the motor is going to be tilted up on a transom saver and there's any chance of precipitation during the stay ---- I'd "bag" the prop !! What I mean by that is ... what I do is take two Wally World/Kroger plastic bags and cover the prop area with them. This keeps the snow/rain from getting into the lower unit/prop gear area & then freezing ... potentially bursting the lower unit cover.
And if you're not going to be using it for a month or two .... fill the gas tank up and add some Seafoam or Stabil, & have the motor winterized (fogged).
... cp :kewl
All of the above.
Thanks all. Got her oiled back up last night. Worth the extra effort it sounds like. Knew I could get good info here.
Good deal.......you did the right thing