My two mercruiser Alpha One sterndrive...

[Robbiemac]

My two mercruiser  Alpha One sterndrive engines have been sitting in the yard since October 2019. I'm told by a friend that I should have cranked the engine at some point in order to avoid ceasing of the engine and impellers. Since it is now December in Toronto and there is no running water available to the yard the boat is in, would it be O.K. to crank the engines for a second or two without water?

[Big_mike1]

Spray some oil in the spark plug holes into the cylinders fogging oil would be good then crank do not start

[Big_mike1]

The salt water pump impellers will probably have to be changed once engines are installed

[Brite_Idea]

You're probably ok but I would pull the plugs and spray some fogging oil in each cylinder then turn it slowly by hand to coat the cylinders. Your issue will be fuel contamination and separation when you are ready to start it next spring.

[Big_mike1]

There will be no fuel contamination it will evaporate sorry I’m a mechanic for 20 years