4.3lx gen+ winter

davidsp

Cadet
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Sep 23, 2013
Messages
29
Hi i need little help or how to winterizing my motor... i also want to know if i can do it simply by putting ear on the alphaone drive with a hose attached to my gallon of rv antifreeze until i full the engine with 2 gallon
 

jackd1023

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 15, 2006
Messages
269
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

Hi i need little help or how to winterizing my motor... i also want to know if i can do it simply by putting ear on the alphaone drive with a hose attached to my gallon of rv antifreeze until i full the engine with 2 gallon
NO!!!!! read this HOW TO: Winterize your engine and drive In the ADULTS ONLY section on top of forum
 
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thumpar

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Jun 21, 2007
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Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

Go to the adult only section like jack posted. It is at the top. Just letting the drive suck up antifreeze will not get it into the engine.
 

davidsp

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Sep 23, 2013
Messages
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Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

It doesnt help me.. its says to check the antifreese for 50 50.. my engine doesnt run with antifreese
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,409
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

14. Disconnect the water and muffs and allow the water to drain out of the drive. Now get your manual and remove every drain plug on your engine, manifolds, coolers, heat exchangers, water pumps, and anything else that could have RAW water in it. Look at the book and make sure you have them all removed. Look around, missing one could cost you an engine block. Get a small screwdriver and probe inside every hole you remove a plug from. Make sure there is nothing blocking the water from getting out. Be sure the engine is also as level as possible so as much water as possible is drained out. Some of the coolers for oil and power steering can be drained by removing a hose easier than removing the plugs.
Put all the plugs back in and hoses back on.
If you are one of those that must use antifreeze instead of just draining, for whatever reason, you can fill the block and manifolds with a 50/50 water/antifreeze mix through the hoses to the manifolds and coolers and removing the thermostat and pouring antifreeze into the engine block. Many of the RV type antifreeze do not have corrosion inhibitors in them because they are meant to be used in the domestic water system.

Ayuh,... It pretty much covers 'bout ALL boat motors,...
 

TheRussian

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 10, 2013
Messages
142
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

I have recently started a similar thread and I have possibly same engine. Look for a maintenance manual for your serial #. Mercruiser states to drain water from the block and a few other hoses, but NO MENTION OF AF. There are many videos on youtube where guys just run AF through the muffs and are done. I don't know but I think I trust the senior members on this site and the manufacturer!
 

davidsp

Cadet
Joined
Sep 23, 2013
Messages
29
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

Ok so im better loking to drain the 5 drain plug.. ifg i find them .. and drain that out.. then deplug the top hose on it.. and add spray fogging till the engine dies... i read another sayin the 4.3 not draining conpletely so he recomends add car 100% pure antifreeze to that top mount hose until you see it drop down by the drains plug ... i am right.. dont want to buy another of these expensive engine since i buy the whole boat for 3000dollars and the engine is rated 4500
 
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thumpar

Admiral
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Jun 21, 2007
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6,138
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

Auto antifreeze is a pollutant. Don't use it is in a boat.
 

bonzoscott

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 26, 2008
Messages
745
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

If you are desperate - temps falling and don't have time to figure your outfit out, you can do as you suggested with antifreeze but much more involved than you describe. You have to get a big pan under the drive and cycle the antifreeze in several times whilest motor still running and cycling the thermostat as well. Your 100% AF has to mix with the water that is in the block and exhaust to equal out. It is a couple hour task with a helper as well. But generally, there are five drains on the motor - two lower block - two / one on each exhaust and maybe one on power steering cooler. Until you find out, it's a risk.
 

thumpar

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Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
6,138
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

If you are desperate - temps falling and don't have time to figure your outfit out, you can do as you suggested with antifreeze but much more involved than you describe. You have to get a big pan under the drive and cycle the antifreeze in several times whilest motor still running and cycling the thermostat as well. Your 100% AF has to mix with the water that is in the block and exhaust to equal out. It is a couple hour task with a helper as well. But generally, there are five drains on the motor - two lower block - two / one on each exhaust and maybe one on power steering cooler. Until you find out, it's a risk.
That is how blocks crack when people don't get it mixed. Just drain it.
 

stonyloam

Vice Admiral
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Mar 13, 2009
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5,830
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

Do not use automotive antifreeze unless you want to spend 6 months in jail for killing the neighbors dog and a couple of thousand dollars in fines from the DEC when you launch the boat next spring:eek:!! Now listen to Bondo and just drain everything like he suggested. Then after you have gotten the raw water out, if you want to go ahead and add some RV antifreeze back in that is fine. Do that and everything will be OK in the spring. Geez went out to You Tube to see if there was a video that uses the Mercruiser manual procedures. I could not find one, so I am not surprised that folks are using the RV antifreeze/muffs method:facepalm:. Man I love my 470 in October:D.
 

bonzoscott

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 26, 2008
Messages
745
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

Draining the motor is the best advice but obviously the OP is not up on his motor/winterization. If he takes advice on draining the block from the forum and misses something, he may face serious damage. The antifreeze, like air, does not freeze. Cycling it through the motor and checking the output with a tester is a sure thing. Don't know what part of the world the OP is from and if circumstances prevent him from reassuring the block is drained - antifreeze will work. It works in millions of autos annually. Also, he is already up on the RV antifreeze.
 

havoc_squad

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 5, 2011
Messages
739
Re: 4.3lx gen+ winter

RV/marine anti-freeze is added insurance to make sure what water can't be drained from block & manifold and hoses cannot freeze and cause damage.

I drained my block and manifold after it was warmed up, then ran 100% RV/marine anti-freeze through and fogged it, then drained both again and checked the hoses. Afterwards lowered the outdrive fullly down and it drained out.

A bit overkill, but I know for 100% certain there will be no freeze damage for the first winterization I did myself.
 
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