How to tell if frozen/cracked?

[gixxerjim]

I was a little uneasy about my winterizing last fall but trusted everything was okay. Now I am nervous, we had seriously cold temps here in Wisconsin this year.

What should I look for in testing it this spring? I am going to run it on the muffs this week in the driveway before hitting the water. The engine is a 3.0L 4cyl 135 hp Mercruiser, 1988.

BTW I ran coolant into it on muffs last year to winterize it based on my father in law's advice, I did the same thing last year and everything was fine so I think I should be fine....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: How to tell if frozen/cracked?

Feeling Lucky
There`s no chance the thermostat never opened to allow it into the block?
Did you drain everything first before using it thru the muffs?
Just put water to it and see if it leaks from anywhere and check the oil.
Assuming it will turn over.

 

[danond]

Re: How to tell if frozen/cracked?

Your father-in-law is going against the manufacturer's recommendations. The engine needs to be drained. Filling it with anti-freeze is a ton of work that doesn't produce a guarantee. If the thermostat doesn't open, you're screwed.

Next time I'd recommend skipping the antifreeze and just drain it. Here's what I do: Pull all the hoses from the engine, let them drain, remove the drain petcocks from the engine, fish a wire up into them to make sure they're not plugged. Tip the trailer/boat way up in the air (I use a cherry picker), then set it back down and crank the tongue jack all the way down, then back to bow-high if the boat sits outside. Leave everything unhooked for winter.

As Bond-o says, "air can't freeze", but a strange anti-freeze based winterizing can, and does, fail if your thermostat doesn't open.

 

[gixxerjim]

Re: How to tell if frozen/cracked?

I ran hot water into it but it never seemed to get very hot; I will keep my fingers crossed.

Never doing it that way again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gixxerjim]

Re: How to tell if frozen/cracked?

Whew! Returned from vacation in Myrtle Beach yesterday, finally got to fire up the boat today. No problems.

Thanks guys for the information. I will definately drain the engine and manifold properly this fall. It isn't worth the doubts and worries to save a few minutes in the fall!

Thanks again!