Steve, you can destroy the fins on an impeller in seconds of dry run. NEVER do it! For winter, put stabil in your tank, fill it as to prevent condensation. Run it for a few minutes until you're certain the stabilize gas has made it through the system. Have you can of fog ready, while running spray some into each carb until it nearly stalls the motor. If at all possible try to run RV anti freeze via a garden hose/funnel and muffs through the lower unit. Then when it's shut down, remove the plugs and spray fogging into each cylinder as well. Replace the plugs but leave the spark wire undone. Spray the entire inside of the motor down with silicone or any water protectant. Then put the cowl back on and trim the motor straight up and down to drain any remaining antifreeze. Also be sure to drain and replace your lower unit lube. Then your motor is set to hybernate! I've done it for years and never had a problem. My rebuild was due to a bad VRO! Also NEVER ignore what a bad tech tells you is a bad alarm. If it's going off, there IS something wrong! The whole process takes maybe an hour and about $25 worth of supplies. A shop will charge $75-$100 for it. I say save the money and buy a new rod! Good luck.
