3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

[Starcraft5834]

Ok boys.. had a blast in my first season with a "real boat".. Have learned a lot. Will get cold up this way soon..

My plans for winterization is to run 5 gallons of RV (pink) antifreeze through, maintain gas treatment, change outdrive oil, store drive in down position.. put my trailered boat up on blocks (under frame) to get most of the weight off the tires, tarp it and tie it up like a hostage.. . As to engine oil change,, engine had complete tune up this year, was out about 10 times this summer,, probably about 10 hrs of engine use time. Dont think an engine oil change is needed.. what else am I missing? thanks for input

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

oh, yea and take the batterys out....

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

Forget the antifreeze, just drain it IMHO, antifreeze is a waste of money and you risk a cracked block if it is not done properly. A drained block will never freeze, after all they were designed to be drained just my opinion.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

ok, if I just drain it.. I pull the petcock plugs? that's it?

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

Poke the holes out with a coat hanger or something to remove the rust particals......

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

will take a look at the petcock unscrew and drain route.. why is it I've heard that "no one does it that way anymore", as to draining water out.. and not filling with antifreeze... marine shops Ive asked tell me that anyway... they all say blow 5 gallons of RV antifreeze into it... just an observation..

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

I would say it's part of their winerization package deal.........If all they had to do was pull the plugs.....that's not much of a selling point.

Anyway i have 2 boats... 1 - 3.0, and 1- 5.7 The 3.0 (Pontoon) has the blue drain hoses i just pull-em and watch to make sure all the water drains out and put the drive down then store it for the winter.

Now my 5.7 is my baby.......I dont know why, but i do the antifreeze thing. I shouldn't but i do.

For the last 3 yrs on the 3.0 have never had an issue.......

Just my thought on this issue!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

As I understand it, if you just run the antifreeze in, you need to make sure that the thermostat is open and all of the water in the block is replaced by antifreeze, easy to screw up. The only way to be sure to get the block full of antifreeze is to drain the block before introducing the antifreeze. Of course if you drain the block you do not need the antifreeze at all. I believe you also need to remove the big hose off of the engine waterpump and drain that too. Here is your manual page 304 shows the winterization procedure: Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 13 - 1990-1997 Engines GM 4 Cylinders Of course I have a 470, so never have to fool around with that stuff.

note: the book says you may add antifreeze, but only after you drain the block.

 

[ricohman]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

Forget the antifreeze. Drain the block properly and you are good to go.
Screw it up with antifreeze and you will need a new engine come spring.
Ever wonder what the freeze rating is on RV antifreeze thats mixed with any residual water?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

That is the #1 best way to crack the block. you have 1 main block drain and 1 manifold drain plug.Cant be easier.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

I saw only one drain plug on the right rear bottom of the block.. Sorry to be uninformed,, manifold? where's that.. front near water lines?

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

That would be your exhaust/intake manifold.......Should be a drain plug in the bottom of it.

Take a minute and look in the stickys by Don S... IN THE ADULT ONLY SECTION. Should be a manual you can down-load on your motor

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

yep,, I unscrewed the plug in the motor block, water poured out, the screw for the manifold was just above that, unscrewed that and water poured out. I took one of the hoses going to the manifold off,, guess I could pour some RV antifreeze into that and fill it up, any harm in that?? or do you think I should use my air compressor and blow out any remaining water and call it good.... guess if there's no water, nothing can freeze huh? will change the oil in drive and drop that down... gas is treated,, should be good to go,, miss anything major?? thanks all,,

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

yep,, I unscrewed the plug in the motor block, water poured out, the screw for the manifold was just above that, unscrewed that and water poured out. I took one of the hoses going to the manifold off,, guess I could pour some RV antifreeze into that and fill it up, any harm in that?? or do you think I should use my air compressor and blow out any remaining water and call it good.... guess if there's no water, nothing can freeze huh? will change the oil in drive and drop that down... gas is treated,, should be good to go,, miss anything major?? thanks all,,

Ayuh,.... Pull the Big hose off the circulatin' water pump,... It can hide a pint or 2,...

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: 3.0 Alpha One WINTERIZATION?

Re the engine oil - even with only 10 hours I would still change it. Old engines run "dirty" and I guarantee that oil has contaminants in it. You want the bearings etc to be coated in nice clean oil during the long storage period.

Edit. Plus fogging oil in the cylinders, of course!