Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

[Leo87]

Hi everyone, I've been winterizing my engines via the flush hose by first running water, and once the thermostat opened, switch to antifreeze. Once 4 gallons of antifreeze were used, I would just turn off the engine and leave it like that.
A friend of mine came across this article and made me rethink it. What do you all think? I thought leaving the antifreeze in the block was a good idea as long as it has corrosion inhibitors.

"We do not leave any antifreeze in the block during winterizing. The process we use is to drain all the water from the block and manifolds, leave the plugs in a plastic bag for installation in the spring. We then hook up the antifreeze winterizing kit and then run approximately 2 gallons of marine antifreeze into the engine and manifolds allowing all to drain back out. This procedure will treat any captured water with marine antifreeze but will also not allow any fluid to remain and potentually freeze. We have been using this procedure for the past 30+ years winterizing well over 300 per year. As to date, not one freeze damage ever occur. Good luck Al"

Thank you
Nelson
2010 Volvo 5.7Gi-300-J

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

Lots of discussion and rationale for draining the block and manifolds.

are you aware that your cooling system holds more than 4 gallons of water, so not a high enough concentration of antifreeze may have reached all parts of the engine with taking in just 4 gallons of antifreeze?

 

[dutch993]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

I have an SJ heat exchanger on my Volvo Penta 3.0 and because I want to repaint the heat exchanger I drained all coolant from the engine to allow me to remove the system. Also, I drained the water in the manifold and filled it with -50?F Marine Anti-Freeze (non toxic) with corrosion inhibitor.
I hope it's okay to leave engine drained for the winter.

 

[insttech1]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

1999 3.0 gs
freshwater only
drained and dry

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

Hi everyone, I've been winterizing my engines via the flush hose by first running water, and once the thermostat opened, switch to antifreeze. Once 4 gallons of antifreeze were used, I would just turn off the engine and leave it like that.
A friend of mine came across this article and made me rethink it. What do you all think? I thought leaving the antifreeze in the block was a good idea as long as it has corrosion inhibitors.

"We do not leave any antifreeze in the block during winterizing. The process we use is to drain all the water from the block and manifolds, leave the plugs in a plastic bag for installation in the spring. We then hook up the antifreeze winterizing kit and then run approximately 2 gallons of marine antifreeze into the engine and manifolds allowing all to drain back out. This procedure will treat any captured water with marine antifreeze but will also not allow any fluid to remain and potentually freeze. We have been using this procedure for the past 30+ years winterizing well over 300 per year. As to date, not one freeze damage ever occur. Good luck Al"

Thank you
Nelson
2010 Volvo 5.7Gi-300-J

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It's a minor Miracle ya haven't cracked yer block yet,...

If you insist on usin' antifreeze, ya Still gotta Drain the block, before the antifreeze is introduced,....

Or, drain it, 'n leave it,.... Air just Don't freeze,...

 

[Leo87]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

Thank you for the feedback. I think I'll go dry from now on. Does anyone have the exact procedures for this engine? My previous one was a 4.3L and you were supposed to tilt the boat either up or down so all the water would drain. Is that the case with this engine too? Thank you.

2010 Volvo 5.7Gi-300-J


EDIT: Never mind, found it here. Page 49.

http://vppneuapps.volvo.com/ww/PIE/ViewFileFrame.aspx?n=202357&r=2009-05-18-22-34-45&t=PDF1P&a=47700385&p=T403&d=Owners%20Publication&s=1339037&lang=en-GB

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

Amazon.com: RicardoMarine's review of Camco 65501 Do It Yourself Boat Winterizer
Read this.

 

[indyboater1991]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

DRY or WET??? So I have winterized my twin 4.3 Volvo engines for the past several years. I've always pulled the plugs to drain the raw water, reinserted and then started engines and ran 5 gallons of pink through the west marine kit connected to the fresh water flush ports, then pulled the plugs a second time. My boat is 2006 and used in fresh water, but I'm seeing rust flakes when I pull the drain plugs. This year I decided to buy the -100' blue antifreeze and ran 5 gallons through after draining the raw water. I know there are varying opinions of the pink antifreeze but west claims the blue antifreeze has rust inhibitors. Is there anything I am missing where water would still be in my engines or parts and not safely offset by the -100' blue antifreeze. I CHANGED MY FLUIDS AND WINTERIZED LAST WEEKEND BUT I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS... Thanks for any input!

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Engine Winterizing Technique - Leave engine block dry or wet?

Is there anything I am missing where water would still be in my engines or parts and not safely offset by the -100' blue antifreeze. I CHANGED MY FLUIDS AND WINTERIZED LAST WEEKEND BUT I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS.

Hi there indyboater, Welcome to iboats!

As longs as you have opened all the drain plugs to the engine block, exhaust manifolds, oil coolers if equipped, pulled the water inlet/outlet hose at the impeller housing, pulled the main (BIG) water circulating pump hose, poked all the small holes to remove any sand build up like you most likely have done the last several years without incident, then most likely you will not have an issue this year as well.

Adding any -50 or 100' antifreeze of any kind is just a secondary precaution if so desired.

Also make sure all the water is drained out of the stern drive by lowering it down. Also check all the little drain type holes all around the drive to make sure they are clear of sand or debris. Keeping the drive down should help keep any rain water from getting into any cavities.

Good luck and enjoy your winter.