Engine not running, need winterizing advice

[ShihanRocco]

greetings all.... have 1986 mercruiser 4 cyl 153cid 120 hp ...in a nutshell, starter won't be done being rebuilt for a couple of weeks. I am leaving for 2 months in 1 week....so engine of course not running
Question, can I

1. open drain plug(s) (I beleive only 1) and drain engine and drain mainfold (location on a 4 cyl manifold?)

2. remove thermostat and pour anti freeze into thermo housing and wait til I see anti freeze coming out of drains.

really want to use anti freeze, don't trust myself to get all the water out....

Thanks in advance.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Engine not running, need winterizing advice

PM
Bond-o

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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: The Mouth of the Chaumont River, Chaumont Bay, Ny.
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Re: Winterizing....
Ayuh,........ I keep on Fishing til the water gets Hard myself,......

Just draining All the water is just Fine,.... That's how I Winterize as well as extending my season......

Your motor will have a Block Drain, down Low on the Portside of the Block,....
And there should be a Manifold Drain just above,+ slightly Aft of the Block Drain......
You should also pull the Big Hose from the circulating waterpump,.........
If you have P/Steering,... You'll need to drain it's Cooler as well.......
__________________
Any Grease is Better,..... Than No Grease at All.......
That's what Bondo says.....
Forget the anti freeze......
Just make sure you get as much water out as possible, by inserting a scredriver or awl into thedrains after completely removing the plugs, to insure that they don't clog with crud during the draining process......
​

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine not running, need winterizing advice

Ayuh,.........

What He said,...........

Neat Trick there Haut...............................

As noted by Haut,....
Poking around the Drain Holes with a screw or nail, or piece of wire or Whatever is the Key to having a usable motor come Spring........