Boat hasn't been winterized, what do I do? (Help)

[Don S]

Yes, 17° will break things. All you need to do is drain all the manifolds, block (if raw water cooled) pumps etc. Anything with plane water in it so it can't freeze. Then, when you get a chance, get it in and winterized properly.<br />No need to start adding antifreeze to the systems since you will need to run the engine again for oil changes and fogging.<br />Air won't freeze and break anything. And if you just dump antifreeze on top of something that wasn't drained, it will not mix and the item will still freeze and break.

 

[csgrizz]

Boat hasn't been winterized, what do I do? (Help)

Due to a wide variety of factors, including a flat tire on the trailer and switching hitches on the truck, and being flat out busy, our ski boat has yet to be winterized.<br /><br />I can't get it in to the local mechanic today, and I was wondering if it will be damaged in the colder weather.<br /><br />Here are the conditions: <br /><br />4.3l with OMC outdrive<br />Boat is in a closed garage, but not heated.<br /><br />Temperature is 34 now, but supposed to drop to 17 tonight.<br /><br />High tomorrow of 42, and then in the 30's at night for several days.<br /><br />Will my engine be damaged? Is there anything I can do to help?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for the help.<br /><br />CS

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Boat hasn't been winterized, what do I do? (Help)

Drain the block and manifolds and fill hoses with antifreeze or go to west marine and invest $39 in a Camco winterizing kit and follow the directions and winterize it yourself in less than 20 minutes.If you just want to prevent from freezing for the night,put a droplight in the engine compartment and close it up.Make sure it isnt touching anything.Charlie

 

[KaGee]

Re: Boat hasn't been winterized, what do I do? (Help)

Plug in a couple of high watt light bulbs and stick them in the engine compartment and close the hood. Get winterized as soon as you can, this should hold you till then.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Boat hasn't been winterized, what do I do? (Help)

Definitely drain it, the 4.3 has 2 drains on the block (one in front of starter, the other in front of the dipstick) 2 on the manifolds, and there is a drain on the power steering cooler that is hard to reach. You can drain it by disconnecting the hose from the outdrive to the thermo housing at the thermo housing and point it down in the bilge. Do the same with the big hose from the thermo housing to the water pump on the front of the engine.Disconned it at the water pump and let it drain.Then the pivot housing on the outdrive has 3 plugs (2 on starbord side, 1 on port) that you have to drain. You trim the drive up to remove them, trim it down to drain (there may be only a little water in them or none, but drain to be sure) and trim up to replace the plugs. Takes all of 1/2 hr to be safe.