2004 5.0 260 HP Winterization

[powellmotorsports]

I know you guys beat this to death. Did a search and didn't find the best answer. I have three blue colored plugs associated with my cooling system on my motor. Will opening those allow for a good winterization? What will I need to do to the outdrive as well? It's also a Bravo 1. Thanks. Boat newbie.

 

[tommays]

Re: 2004 5.0 260 HP Winterization

if you are that new to boats and dont do any auto type repiars i would pay a teck who will let you watch the job the first time through there is a lot at stake if you miss something<br /><br />if you do some wrench turning your best bet is to buy the correct service manual it will have a good method for your motor and drive<br /><br />tommays

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: 2004 5.0 260 HP Winterization

Is the engine a 2004, if so it is still under warrenty and I would be very careful to make sure you comply to its terms and conditions which may mean main dealer winterization. Secondly get a manual my volvo penta manuals specify exactly what to do for winterization with pictures!

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: 2004 5.0 260 HP Winterization

Is the engine a 2004, if so it is still under warrenty and I would be very careful to make sure you comply to its terms and conditions which may mean main dealer winterization. Secondly get a manual my volvo penta manuals specify exactly what to do for winterization with pictures!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 2004 5.0 260 HP Winterization

The boat should be taken to a dealer, pay him well to explain ALL that needs to be done on YOUR boat, and THEN next year you can start saving money. And get a good manual. Knowledge is a wonderful tool, run amok it can get expensive real quick, and boat parts are VERY big $$$$$$$$$. There are just to many varibles between boats to generalize. Start right, Larry, and the boat will be a real joy for you. Good luck!

 

[imported_wildcat]

Re: 2004 5.0 260 HP Winterization

If you have the 3 point manual drain system, you must have the Bravo sterndrive with the inboard seawater pump.<br /><br />I have the same engine with the alpha sterndrive and the single point drain system.<br /><br />I thought about using the dealer to winterize for warranty issues, but they only pull the drain plugs as stated in the manual. No antifreeze used. Nothing else done except fogging and changing gear lube and oil. I know how to do this and it makes me more familiar with my engine.<br /><br />If you remove all 3 drain plugs and follow manual and guidelines on this forum, you will be fine. I just don't like to assume that the dealers ever do anything better than I can do it.<br /><br />To remove water, I plan on removing drain plugs, and draining water. I will then use 5 gallon flush kit and cycle antifreeze through lines. I also plan on filling all three hoses on the thermostat with antifreeze. <br /><br />I see the need to use the flush kit with this engine because Mercruiser installed a check valve between the PS cooler and Fuel cooler that keeps me from backflushing the line and draining PS cooler of water.<br /><br />I am sure glad to hear from others with same engine.