36 and snow this a.m.

[WIMUSKY]

Time to winterize. After going thru all the proper steps, I'm hearing a fair amount of guys fill their blocks with antifreeze. Is that a saltwater/southern thing to do, or, should us freshwater only/northern guys do it to? I'm not worried about cracking the block since I drain and flush with rv antifreeze. But I do leave it empty. I assume I may get a little surface corrosion on the internals that should flush out next spring. What say you? By the way, it's a '79 Volvo/penta chevy v8. But I assume the answer should apply to any I/O or inboard.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 36 and snow this a.m.

I was talking to a co-worker who has the job of water treatment worker he's been doing this all his life and now is a semi retired salesman for the company that sells the chemicals, (his company) which he sold to State chemical supply.
Anyhow to get to the point, cast iron has a certain corrosion tolerance I couldn't even begin to quote this guy, but in a nutshell I just drain my block and open air corrosion doesn't concern me anymore, with a freshwater engine that is.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 36 and snow this a.m.

Draing is fine...engine will wear out/ break long before it rusts out. 'nutcase

 

[meesh]

Re: 36 and snow this a.m.

It's a personal choice. Some just drain, others refill with AF. It will be fine either way you choose.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: 36 and snow this a.m.

Thanks for the info gentlemen. She's winterized. I "didn't" fill the block with antifreeze. Pulled all the plugs and hoses and drained everything. Put rv antifreeze in the hoses until I heard it "pour" out the drain holes. After everything drained, I reinstalled the plugs. She's pickled so good that if there were any mosquitos left in the area, they're gone now....