Freezing temps tonight, observation question

[Newbie@boats]

I know I know this had been beat to death, but I have a quick question since I am "new" to this 3.0L from what I've read you remove the drain hoses on the block poke in there to make sure it's not clogged and remove the big water pump hose and let the water drain there. Well I used the boat a few weeks ago when it got warm but it's getting into the teens tonight and figured I should make sure it's good for the temps.

After I loaded the boat onto the trailer on the launch I removed the hoses and let all the water drain on my way home. Jacked up the boat super high in the front and covered it up.

Just for a piece of mind I took the water pump hose off and filled that up with anti freeze and to my surprise water came pouring out of the block just before the anti freeze did.....

Would that little amount have cause me an issue like a cracked block or am I being to worried about it.

Long post I know I am not worried now that I have anti freeze in the block, more courious than anything else

 

[Alumarine]

If you drain it properly there will still be some water in the block somewhere.
When done properly that leftover water is not completely filling a cavity, and has plenty of room to expand without causing any trouble.

 

[airdvr1227]

For added protection I've always used a bare 100W incandescent light bulb in the engine compartment. Throws off a lot of heat.

 

[bruceb58]

I hope you mean drain plugs. Did you let the water out of those?

 

[poconojoe]

Hope you used non toxic antifreeze.

 

[Benny67]

For added protection I've always used a bare 100W incandescent light bulb in the engine compartment. Throws off a lot of heat.

I GOT FLAMED in another forum for suggesting the same thing....

I think the 100 watt bulb is a good idea. I would have used an industrial bulb coated with silicone though. It's enough heat to possibly keep the temp above freezing for most of the season here in CT.

 

[Newbie@boats]

There are 3 plugs on the bottom port side of the engine, that have hoses attached to them, i removed them and a bunch of water came out while I was at the ramp

 

[Bondo]

There are 3 plugs on the bottom port side of the engine, that have hoses attached to them, i removed them and a bunch of water came out while I was at the ramp

Ayuh,..... Sounds like another Merc designed busted block system,.....

All of those drain systems, $uck,.....

A couple of brass pipe plugs is all ya need,....
When ya take the brass plug out, you can poke, 'n probe the hole with a nail or screw, to knock loose any rust, sand, 'n crud Outa there,....
'n there always is rust, sand, 'n crud at the drain holes,...

Some of the Merc systems plumb several drains to 1 hose point,...
There's absolutely No way to know whether ALL of the cavities drained,.... or just 1,.....

 

[airshot]

Draining properly is the safest way to be sure. That said...In the early season like now I cheat and use 2 of those aluminum clamp on light bulb holders and put one on each side of my engine block. My engine is very easy to get to, then slide the doghouse back into place and it will stay almost 60 degrees inside that doghouse even if the outside temp drops down to 15 degrees. They lay in the bilge and aim up to the engine block. I use two just in case one bulb would happen to go out by the way.

 

[dieselram94]

I know a few people here in maine with dug wells who used to keep a bare lightbulb in the well house to keep the pump from freezing. It was enough heat at even -20 Fahrenheit ...