Yanmar GK13–GK18 storage and seasonal maintenance: how to winterize it properly
A Yanmar GK13, GK14, GK16 or GK18 sits idle for months at a time for many owners — and it's precisely that idle time that causes more damage than actual operating hours. The factory manual devotes an entire chapter to it. In this article: post-season maintenance, proper winter storage, and the spring check that lets you start up again without surprises.
Suitable for the entire series: Yanmar GK13, GK14, GK16 and GK18 (Ecotra), plus the European versions GK160 and GK200(R).
Yanmar GK13–GK18 after the season: cleaning and lubricating
Start with a thorough cleaning: grass, chaff and caked-on soil hold moisture, and that's where rust begins. Pay attention to the radiator screen, the area around the cooling fins, and the lift. If you wash with water, let the engine run for a bit afterwards so everything dries. Next, work through all the grease nipples with EP2 grease, lightly lubricate hinge points and adjusting screws, and touch up any paint damage before winter sets in. Immediately check the clutch play (15–25 mm) and brake pedal play (30–35 mm) — that way you won't face any surprises in spring.
Yanmar GK13–GK18 winter-ready: fluids and fuel
The manual is clear about storing with fresh fluids: old engine oil contains acids that eat away at bearings and cylinder walls for months on end. So change the engine oil before storage (not after) and check the rest:
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Change engine oil + filter if applicable | prevent acidic combustion residues from sitting over winter |
| Check coolant or replace annually | frost protection down to -40 °C and corrosion inhibition |
| Fill the fuel tank completely | no condensation forming in the tank; below -10 °C use winter diesel |
| Drain the water separator | remove water before it can freeze or cause rust |
| Set tire pressure to specification | prevents flat-spotting during months of standing still |
Our coolant -40 °C (SKU-125001) covers the complete 3.3-liter system with plenty to spare from a single 5-liter bottle.
Yanmar GK13–GK18 battery: the winter classic
The battery (type 55B24R) is the component that fails most often during storage. The manual recommends disconnecting the negative terminal for extended storage; even better is to charge the battery every one to two months or connect it to a trickle charger. Never put the battery away flat for winter — a deeply discharged battery is rarely salvageable by spring. Immediately check the fluid level between the upper and lower marks and top up with demineralized water if needed.
Yanmar GK13–GK18 storage: dry and supported
Store the machine indoors in a dry, ventilated spot, with the lift lowered, ignition off, and the key removed. Yanmar recommends supporting the machine on blocks during extended storage to relieve the tires, and avoiding direct sunlight or a vapor-tight cover — condensation trapped under plastic does more harm than dust. If storing for several months, run the engine warm once a month; this lubricates the cylinder walls and keeps the diesel pump free.
Yanmar GK13–GK18 spring check in ten minutes
Before the first working day of the season: check oil level and coolant level, visually inspect the water separator, check tire pressure, retighten wheel bolts, check V-belt tension (10–15 mm at 10 kg push force), connect the battery and test the lights. Start the engine, let it warm up for at least five minutes, and test the lift, PTO, brakes and 4WD unloaded before attaching any implement. If it runs rough or starts poorly after storage, check the fuel and filters first — see our article on GK-series faults.
Seasonal service in one order: the Yanmar GK-series filter set (SKU-100114), the engine oil + oil filter set (SKU-15W402/2) and coolant (SKU-125001) — together they complete the autumn service according to factory specification.
