Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

[db4570]

2001 Sea Ray 180 BR, 3.0 Merc.

I see in the manual that there is a flush attachment to connect to the Merc Single Point Drain system to flush salt water out of the engine while it isn't running. If I can use that to flush out salt water, why can't I also use it to flush water out and pump anti-freeze in? It seems a simple pump setup would be a lot easier than the methods I have used in the past for getting anti freeze in the engine.

The single point drains have always worked fine, but now that I am storing it in a totally unheated space, I want to make sure I have some extra protection. I have searched for this method discussed on line, and have found nothing describing it.

Thanks for any input!

David

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

I do not need to winterize where I live but since you're asking for feedback:
I follow many of the threads here on IBOATS about folks trying to find shortcuts on draining their blocks but the answers from the experts seem to come back the same:
-there are no shortcuts
-air doesn't freeze
-do it right and you won't have a cracked block come spring time

Mark

 

[thumpar]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

If the air didn't freeze before why would it freeze easier now? Air doesn't freeze on this planet, the pink stuff can. I just don't see the point of going from something that can't freeze to something that can. 6 years of just draining mine has worked fine. We see -20F and it is not unusual to see -30F at some point here.

 

[86 century]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

I am one of the crazy one's that drains everything replace plugs,run on an improvised pump till the system is full,drain everything again(air don't freeze)the reason I do it this way is to make sure if there is anything trapped in the system its antifreeze and not water.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

" Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut? "

You'll know for sure next Spring !!!!!:facepalm:

 

[db4570]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

Thanks for the replies. I like the "air don't freeze" philosophy. But I wanted to get antifreeze through there to chase out any remaining water pockets, and to maybe get some corrosion protection in there. I may or may not then drain the antifreeze. I think there are valid arguments for both leaving the AF in, and draining it.

So- back to my original question. Is this flush connection a valid way to pump AF through the system?

If I do decide to simply drain it dry, I get the impression from reading here that guys don't trust the single point drain. Mine works fine, but if I wanted to do a more thorough draining, how do I do that?

David

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

A little pocket of water has room to expand without damaging anything.
As long as the engine is level, the plugs are removed and the holes cleaned out so the water drains completely, and you drain the big hose on the circulation pump. NOTHING will freeze and break.
Those fancy drain hoses if plugged will cause you a cracked block or manifold if you aren't paying close attention on how much comes out of each hose. The flushing hose is just that, it's for flushing.

The owners manual also states to run the hose for 10 minutes minimum. That is because all the water can't get past the thermostat, and has to go through the small bleed hole in the thermostat housing. I doubt if the engine gets flushed very well that way. But I would bet that any rust, scale, or dirt will plug up that bleed hole.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

and to maybe get some corrosion protection in there.

plumbing (pink) antifreeze has no corrosion inhibitors like automotive antifreeze. it's just glycol and red dye.

If you want to spend more $ on Low tox prestone or other propylene glycol based engine coolants you get some rust inhibitors in it

not sure why anyone would look for shortcuts on draining a 3.0L....2 easily reachable draincocks, 1 hose clamp, and 5 minutes of your life... it's a pretty easy engine to drain.

 

[db4570]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

OK. I'm convinced.

I was wondering where the draincocks are, and then I figured out they are where the blue hoses connect to the block and manifold. So if I just disconnect those, it sounds like I am good to go. It's not really a "single point" I guess, but two points.

David

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

Take the hoses off and throw them away. Put a couple of brass hex plugs in the block and manifold and you are set for fast easy draining.
If you want to flush the engine, use muffs on the drive and flush it too.

 

[Stamey]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

plumbing (pink) antifreeze has no corrosion inhibitors like automotive antifreeze. it's just glycol and red dye.

The stuff I buy says it has corrosion inhibitors in it. Perhaps it comes both ways?

Chris

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

The stuff I buy says it has corrosion inhibitors in it. Perhaps it comes both ways?

Chris

I was referring to the basic $3.50/jug stuff. You can pay more and get more additives in it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

I was referring to the basic $3.50/jug stuff. You can pay more and get more additives in it.

Or, you can pay 0 dollars and be safe from freeze damage, by not using any antifreeze.
You don't use antifreeze for 6 months of boating season, why use it for 6 months of storage??

 

[boat1010]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

Just like the others are saying, there is no shortcuts. If it was a good way to winterize the boat through the flush out Merc would tell you that it would work. I warm up my boat with muffs , then use a pump while running and pump in the pink antifreeze until it comes out the exhaust. That's about 4 gallons. Then I open all the drains remove the hoses and let out all the pink antifreeze. I know it is just a little extra money for the pink stuff but I just think that it could replace some pocket of water somewhere in the motor and it DOES have rust inhibitor in it and I think I paid $2.99 a gallon for the stuff. So an extra $12.00 in a $6,000 motor doesn't bother me too much. Do I need to put the pink stuff in it?? Probably not but I think it makes me sleep a little better when I look at the thermometer and it says it is -30 outside. Well that just my $.02..

 

[rschap1]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

I wondered this too since my Volvo had access right to the raw water pump.
As I looked at it, there would still have been water in the block and a few other spots if the thermostat was closed when adding the AF to a running engine.
I did it the way I always have...drained, used compressed air to blow out everything I could, then pour auto AF right down the thermostat housing and into every hose I can get to.

 

[Stamey]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

So Don S, will the drains on the side of the block get all, or enough, water out? The ones I have seen are in the middle of the block vertically and horizontally, and look to me like they wouldn't drain the entire water jacket in the block. This made me feel like I could do a better job by getting the AF in there, if I couldn't completely empty the block. The drains in the manifold are at the bottom, in my hose elbows, so I imagine they will drain everything.
I guess draining would have to be done with the thermostat open, so all of the hoses, even over the thermostat, could drain, or do I need to be pulling hoses also?
Additionally, what about the outdrive? Does all of the water drain from it when it is out of the water, or can water remain in between the fins of the impeller? this is another thing I was thinking would make it better to have AF in there, since I don't know if all the water drains from there.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

Drain the cooling system, then put in your AF of choice if it makes you feel better :facepalm:

I'm not going to sit here and try to explain the relationship between water and ice that most science classes taught from elementary through high school.

If your engine is level, when you drain it. It will NOT be broken by freezing water puddles in the block no matter what angle you have it sitting at.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

With the single point drain system you can never be sure every last drop of water is out.Run the engine on muffs until it's warmed up,drain the engine then remove the large hose from the thermostat housing and fill it compleatly with antifreeze.At the boat yard we use the -50 degree pink stuff.

 

[matt167]

Re: Did I discover a winterizing/antifreeze shortcut?

I think the only substaciated reason to put in antifreeze is for a corrosion inhibitor. Beyond that air doesn't freeze. Many classic cars drained for the year instead of running antifreeze, and many of those do not open the block drains. Just remove rad cap and lower hose and let the water run out. There is enough space for what water will be there to expand into the empty space..