Anti Freeze Question

[MiltonKy7511]

I have a Mercruiser 2.5L 120 HP motor. It is a 1989 model. I have never winterized it, but I have read several posts on how that should work. My question is, once I use the muffs (connected to the 5 gallon bucket with the anti-freeze in it) and I have the pink liquid coming out of the back of the motor, do I still need to remove the plugs from the motor and drain it completely? I have friends at works that remove all the plugs and completely drain the motor and others that just make sure the motor is filled with anti-freeze and they leave it. I'm confused since this is my first inboard motor and the last thing I want to do is check it in the spring and realize that I screwed up. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Read those posts again. Drain everything and leave it. As one of the Mod's says all the time. "air don't freeze" Not sure your motor will "suck" from a 5gal pail anyway, I think you have to pump it in.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

The best way is to drain it. If you want some extra "piece of mind" after draining, you can then flush it with antifreeze but many will say that is not necessary.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Your engine is not going to get antifreeze in it until the thermostat opens up.

Here is a link to Service Manual 10. It covers the whole weatherization for your engine/drive. Section 1B-10 covers Out of Season Storage. If you don't have the manual already I would use it as a guide to follow:

First Page of manual:
Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 10 - 1985-1989 - GM 4 Cylinders Engines
Section 1B-10
Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 10 - 1985-1989 - GM 4 Cylinders Engines

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

My Technique;

Drain the Block, No sense in diluting the Antifreeze.
Remove the Thermostat.
Run Antifreeze through the block until it comes out the exhaust.
Drain the block again. Air doesn't freeze!

Recycle the Antifreeze for next year.

 

[MiltonKy7511]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

I have a Mercruiser 2.5L 120 HP motor. It is a 1989 model. I have never winterized it, but I have read several posts on how that should work. My question is, once I use the muffs (connected to the 5 gallon bucket with the anti-freeze in it) and I have the pink liquid coming out of the back of the motor, do I still need to remove the plugs from the motor and drain it completely? I have friends at works that remove all the plugs and completely drain the motor and others that just make sure the motor is filled with anti-freeze and they leave it. I'm confused since this is my first inboard motor and the last thing I want to do is check it in the spring and realize that I screwed up. Thanks in advance for the help.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....

No matter which way ya wanta Winterize it, the process Starts with removin' the drain plugs, proddin' the crud outa the hles, 'n drainnin' it....

If ya wanta run antifreeze through it After ya drain it,.... Go for it, what ever trips yer trigger...
Mine stay drained,... Air don't freeze....

If ya Don't drain it 1st, ya probably will get those Bad feelin's come Spring....

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....

No matter which way ya wanta Winterize it, the process Starts with removin' the drain plugs, proddin' the crud outa the hles, 'n drainnin' it....

If ya wanta run antifreeze through it After ya drain it,.... Go for it, what ever trips yer trigger...
Mine stay drained,... Air don't freeze....

If ya Don't drain it 1st, ya probably will get those Bad feelin's come Spring....

Bondo, Do you leave the drain plugs out?, in case of condensation?

 

[Don S]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Bondo, Do you leave the drain plugs out?, in case of condensation?

Condensation isn't going to add enough water to ever freeze and break any engine, no matter how small it is. :facepalm:

 

[thejeep007]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

I drain the block and manifold then fill from hoses. Air doesn't freeze but bare metal and air and moisture equals rust... I will spend the $10 bucks on having protection after running salt water all summer. Never had a drain plug that needed any poking.... My 2 cents.

 

[BRG25]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

I have never read a Mercruiser Service manual that says to suck antifreeze out of a bucket. I just did a search for the word "pink" and found reference to a pink wire from the fuel gauge sender to gauge and pink litmus paper to test closed cooling systems, no mention of pink antifreeze. That leads me to believe your buddies at work don't know much about boats...

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

I have never read a Mercruiser Service manual that says to suck antifreeze out of a bucket. I just did a search for the word "pink" and found reference to a pink wire from the fuel gauge sender to gauge and pink litmus paper to test closed cooling systems, no mention of pink antifreeze. That leads me to believe your buddies at work don't know much about boats...

Pink antifreeze is the non-toxic RV antifreeze. It's the right stuff to use if you want to fill the block with antifreeze, and also care about the pets and critters in your neighborhood.

 

[BRG25]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

RV antifreeze is not the right stuff, it's used for water lines on a camper. If Mercruiser wanted you to use that stuff, they would have put it in the book.

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

RV antifreeze is not the right stuff, it's used for water lines on a camper. If Mercruiser wanted you to use that stuff, they would have put it in the book.

The pink stuf is now labled Marine/ RV. at W M. Put in streight, it won't freeze where I am and sure beats air and moisture generating rust.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

The pink stuf is now labled Marine/ RV. at W M. Put in streight, it won't freeze where I am and sure beats air and moisture generating rust.

If you read the label on the container it clearly states for water systems not for engine use. ********* and West Marine and I'm sure other places sell lo tox antifreeze with rust inhibitors that is meant to go inside engine water jackets.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

If you read the label on the container it clearly states for water systems not for engine use. ********* and West Marine and I'm sure other places sell lo tox antifreeze with rust inhibitors that is meant to go inside engine water jackets.

Yes, if you intend on using RV antifreeze as an engine coolant, it's not a good choice. If you want it to displace water and air with out freezing, it works perfectly fine.....

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Yes, if you intend on using RV antifreeze as an engine coolant, it's not a good choice. If you want it to displace water and air with out freezing, it works perfectly fine.....

You can use it, but it doesn't have rust inhibitors like TRUE marine antifreeze. The rv/marine antifreeze is meant for water systems found in a boat or rv. E.g. sink/shower plumbing, sewage/holding tank plumbing. That is why it is low tox, because it is used in domestic water systems. You can most certainly use it for engine a/f. But if you are worrying about rust, why not buy the stuff with rust inhibitors.

 

[thejeep007]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Think there is confusion about raw water and closed cooling systems. Rv stuff is ok to be drained without recovering for disposal. It does have inhibit rust from forming. It's true the stuff is not ment to circulate through your system all season. And comes in all different colors not just pink, like automotive stuff. It's your boat so just do what makes you sleep easier when its -5 outside.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

Ok, I need to clarify my previous post. You shouldnt use it as a coolant. But it does the job of not freezing. (although it does turn to slush at like -25F). I havent used it for a few years, because when I drained it in the spring, it was rust brown, not pink. I have since used west marine a/f, and when drained in the spring, it is just as pink as it was when I put it in. At the time, I did not see anywhere on the bottles of rv/marine a/f that I got from Wally World that it had rust inhibitors. I think if it would of had it, it would say it. SELLING POINT! The west marine stuff DOES advertise rust inhibitors. This year, though, after seeing so many people on this forum saying just to drain, that air don't freeze, I am thinking about doing just that. Its drained as of now, but I have 4 gal of -100 antifreeze, just in case I start to worry. But it does make sense, if everything is drained, whatever residual water is left, has room to expand. My theory is like an ice cube tray. How many do you see crack because of water freezing. Since there is space above the tray, the ice just expands upward. Keep in mind, the a/f at Wally World may advertise rust inhibitors on the bottles NOW, however the stuff I bought, 4 or 5 years ago did not state that.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Anti Freeze Question

I Drain it...COMPLETELY!!...ensure the manifold drain port is clear, remove the upper hoses(pump-thermostat block/thermostat block-manifold)and pour a little pink into the block, manifold and water intake hose until I see a little come out the block/manifold drains and sterndrive.

I leave the plugs/hoses/thermostat block off...I'm done.

Many in "these parts" use the same basic procedure(what I've deemed the "ADF" method)and we see -25 or so here...no cracks/leaks for me or those I've talked to/helped so far.