1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

[Packers4ever]

Hello all,<br /><br />I have done search's on how to winterize and I'm confident I know how to do it but does someone have a diagram of where the drain plugs are?<br /><br />Any help would be great<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Skipper

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

There will be one under the manifold toward the back. The one on the block is slightly behind that and about a foot lower.

 

[Packers4ever]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

I have read that this engine only has 1 drain plug and that is all I can find<br /><br />Is that right?<br /><br />Thanks Willy!!! <br /><br />Skipper

 

[Don S]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

Should be more than one, is your engine raw water or fresh water cooled? Makes a big difference in the type of cooling system. All 3.0L engines aren't created equal, as far as drain plugs are concerned.

 

[Packers4ever]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

Thanks Don<br /><br />My boat runs in fresh water only so I geuss that makes it fresh water cooled that plug I found was on the right hand side of the block on the side in the bottom right hand corner??<br /><br />Skipper

 

[Packers4ever]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

It was a blue wing nut style the way I winterized was I removed the Thermostat and fill up the engine that way ran it for about 20seconds while I fogged it then shut it down and added more antifreeze until it was full I am just worried that there is another drain plug but I don't think so any ideas?? <br /><br />Skipper

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

Just because your engine is run in fresh water does not make it fresh water cooled.....Do you have a heat exchanger that you have to add coolant to? If not, then you are raw water cooled....So is it fresh water cooled or RWC?....JK

 

[Don S]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

You're in luck. The 97 Mercruiser 3.0L engine manual is online.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13covr2.pdf <br /><br />Move your cursor over the cover page and index page to find the links.<br />Section 6 is on cooling. Including pictures.

 

[Packers4ever]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

THANKS!!! <br /><br />That really helps Don<br /><br />Its much appreciated!!<br /><br />Skipper

 

[Packers4ever]

Re: 1997 3.0L 4 cyl Mercruiser

Hi Don,<br /><br />I went through the manual and yeah my engine has one under the head on the bellows<br /><br />I unscrewed the plug and it was full of water and sand!!! I stuck a hose is the tube coming from the thermostat and cleaned out everything really well...amazing the amount of sand that was in there then filled the bellows with antifreeze and everything should be good now right...Thanks for your help your a lifesaver<br /><br />Skipper