Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

[Cool_Hand_Lew]

I live in East Texas where even in winter the temperature will still get in the 60's some times so I don't want to shut my boat down for the winter. I have a 1995 Four Winns Fling with an inboard OMC 115 V4 jet drive. I keep it in my yard on a trailer when not on the lake.<br /><br />Do you suppose I could wrap a heat tape around the power head insted of adding antifreeze to the keep the motor from freezing? A heat tape runs on 110 volts and turns on automatically when close to 32 degerees.

 

[usedboats4u]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

IT MIGHT WORK, NOT SURE I WOULD WANT TO BE THE ONE TO TRY IT, THINK I WOULD STAY WITH GETTING THE WATER OUT OF IT,AND STABILIZE THE FUEL

 

[wvit100]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

What happens if there is a winter storm and the power goes off in the middle of the night?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

I would still drain the system and fog the internals.It will be the best for your motor in the long run.Keeping the internals from getting a light coat of rust, which they will if not fogged,in my opinion is the most important step for longevity of the motor.Dont get me wrong,keeping it from freezing is pretty darn important too,but merely draining will take care of that.I dont imagine you get a hard freeze like we do here on Long Island.Hang a 100 watt lightbulb in the engine campartment after draining and fogging.Charlie

 

[Cool_Hand_Lew]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

wvit100, that is a very good point I hadn't thought of. With a heat tape if the electricty went out durning a hard freeze my engine could freeze and crack the block.<br /><br />Can anyone tell me how to "drain the system" and "fog" it?<br /><br />I do all my own auto mechanic work but this is my first boat.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

Loosen petcocks on block and manifolds.Also take off hoses and drain and blow through them.You may as well pet some antifreeze in the hoses in case you miss some water.FIRST!! change the oil then run the motor and circulate the new oil and spray fogging oil into the carb as the motor is running.You may have to bring up the idle a bit to keep it running.Do this for at least 1/2 the can and then load the carb up with either spraying 2 cans of fogging oil at once or pour 1/2 cup of Marvel mystery oil in while fogging ,this will stall the motor ,then you are ready for the draining of water step.If you can get to your plugs easily,remove them and spray some oil in there too.Get a manual because it will give you a lot of tips in doing this correctly.we on I boats all have our own favorite ways of winterizing.Charlie

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

Keep in mind this is a two stroke outboard powerhead. Winterizing/storage proceedures are the same as the V4 outboard as far as the powerhead goes. <br /><br />The water should drain out of the block when it comes out of the water. There are no manifolds and risers like on a typical inboard or I/O.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

I was wondering why he posted "powerhead"

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

OMC units were called a Turbo Jet. The Mercs are called Sport Jets.

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Heat Tape On Powerhead Instead Of Winterizing?

go to www.bensaco.com. They make boatsafe heaters made specifically for this application. I use one in my carpet cleaning truck, 400 bucks. I would only use it if you had 5-10 days a month below freezing. Any more-winterize.