I think I winterized my boat...

[hostage]

These are the steps I took...
a) Top tank off and added stabil
1) Engine on Muffs, I warmed the engine up
2) I ran anti-freeze threw the cooling system for a while
3) I sprayed engine fogger until the engine stopped
4) I found 5 plugs (2 were mirrored to the other side, the 5th one was on the port side toward the bow) - They all drained anti-freeze, nothing was blocking the holes. I couldn't find or see any other ones. According the Mecrusier Manual I have a ~2000 190hp 4.3L Merc w/ PS (image 76503 in manual) Did I miss any? I noticed one was brass all others were blue plastic.

From what I see some people loosen some hose clamps and remove a hose or two. Where exactly are those hoses, also is it imparitive?

From what I have been hearing and seeing it seems like some people go overboard with winterizing. My neighbor looked at me odd when I was flushing my system with anti-freeze. He said he has been winterizing his old circa 1970's 3L Merc Alpha and he doesn't flush with antifreeze, only removes the plugs.

Thanks in advance

 

[cannonman]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

You won't get a definative answer on this one, but it sounds like you basically did the same stuff I have always done. I know you need to make sure your outdrive is lowered once it's parked so the water can drain out.
You will get other suggestions as well, but it sounds like your ok.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

I'm a little confused as to why you ran antifreeze into the system and then drained it. Did you use a fuel stabilizer? Usually you put stabilizer in the fuel and then run the engine to get the stabilizer into the fuel system. This also warms the engine oil so that it is easier to suck out of the dipstick tube for changing the oil. Then you can simply drain the water out of the engine using the plugs you identified. Antifreeze can then be poured into the system if you wish but it's not a necessity. Normally you would just leave the antifreeze in the system over the winter.

 

[Don S]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

) I ran anti-freeze threw the cooling system for a while

Sounds like you may be trying to joint the "Cracked Block in the Spring" club. Are you sure you want to join that club?
Have a look at this thread. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=280921
It's just one of many on the subject.

 

[John_S]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

Given you were going to drain it, the anti-freeze step was not needed. If you hadn't drained it, that could have led to a very bad spring.

The hose you hear discussed is the large hose on the water pump. Loosen lower clamp, and pull hose off.

 

[hostage]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

I did use Stabil, I filled the tank up and added the Stabil. From what I heard online that is how you should do it, however the manual appears:

If boat is to be placed in storage with fuel containing alcohol in fuel tanks (if fuel
without alcohol is not available): Fuel tanks should be drained as low as possible and
Quicksilver Gasoline Stabilizer for Marine Engines added to any fuel remaining in the
tank.

When I drained all the petcocks, I saw the bright red of the anti-freeze. Which is what many of the tutorials suggested, however the manual has a different thought: Drain raw water first, then put the alcohol in there and leave it in there?

If I am going to leave it winterized dried as some say "air doesn't freeze", should I leave the drain plugs in or out?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

I run the anti-freeze, then I drain things. That way the system is mostly dry, but anything left has protection.

BTW - have you looked at the -50 degree stuff on a "20 below" day? It is slushy, which is worrisome.

You probably should drain the exhaust manifold/riser by removing the lower hose.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

I did use Stabil, I filled the tank up and added the Stabil. From what I heard online that is how you should do it, however the manual appears:



When I drained all the petcocks, I saw the bright red of the anti-freeze. Which is what many of the tutorials suggested, however the manual has a different thought: Drain raw water first, then put the alcohol in there and leave it in there?

If I am going to leave it winterized dried as some say "air doesn't freeze", should I leave the drain plugs in or out?

The problem with not draining the cooling system before you put antifreeze in, is that there are several gallons of water in the system which mixes with the antifreeze and reduces it's freeze protection capability. ie: the temperature at which it freezes is not as low anymore because it was mixed with the water in the system. You may have been able to see the red color, but you have no way of knowing what temperature that fluid will freeze at unless you test it with a hydrometer. If there's no water in the system it can't freeze, expand, and cause damage. I think people get away with this because they store the boat inside a barn or garage that never gets as cold as the outside temp. If the boat is stored outside they may not be so lucky.

Putting antifreeze in the system and then draining it is a complete waste of antifreeze IMO. If you're going to use antifreeze, fully drain the system after you run it on muffs, put the plugs in, pour the antifreeze in and leave it.

Filling.....not filling...the gas tank is a debate like the ethanol debate. Some will swear you have to fill it, Some will say don't worry about it. I never have worried about filling it. I just add the amount of Stabilizer for the approximate amount of gas left in the tank and leave it at that. I wouldn't leave the gas tank close to empty, but I wouldn't worry about it not being completely full either. Mines a 50 gallon tank and it's stored less than half full as I write this. I didn't feel like shelling out the $75-$100 to fill it so it could sit all winter.

Store it with the cooling system drain plugs in......that way you don't have to remember where you put them in the spring.

 

[hostage]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

I know enough to be dangerous, but I am trying to learn ;-)

I looked at all the hoses, which I am assuming connect up to what I think is the thermostat.

The two stern smaller hoses looks like they go to the exaust manafolds, or what I think is the exaust manafolds. I saw a blue plug under each, so I removed them and a lot of water came out. I was pretty confident I got everything, but I detached both hoses from the exaust manafold and nothing more than drops came out.

I was trying to find this magical mysterious water pump hoses that looks like a big "c" as some said. I detached the biggest hoses on the starboard-bow, that looked like a "C", at the bottom and it looked like a couple drops of oil came out.

I didn't detach the last hoses as it looked like it was pretty far back there. Please don't tell me that is the water pump.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[scipper77]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

The only thing I will add is that I drain the water from my power steering cooler. If it is full of water freeze damage can occur there too.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

I would invest in Mercruiser Service Manual #25....I believe that's the one you need. They used to be available on-line for download but due to copyright most have been removed at Mercruiser "request". I found Manual 25 at 4-share but when I downloaded, it is incomplete and doesn't show what you need. Someone may be able to PM you details about manual #25 .

In my experience there will be a plug on both sides of the engine block, a plug in each exhaust manifold, a plug in each riser/spacer if you have them (can't tell from picture), a plug in the power steering cooler. If you get the service manual it will cover all of the drain locations and hoses that need to be drained for your specific engine. Getting that manual will give you peace of mind, that you got all of the water out.

As part of winterization, I always changed the gear oil in my outdrive, and pulled the outdrive to check for water in areas it shouldn't be.

 

[BRG25]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

Here is Service Manual 25. I would download it before it disappears. Start reading on page 1B-31. If you're looking for the hose to the water circulating pump, you can't miss it. It is bolted right to the engine above the crankshaft pulley (big one on the bottom). The hose goes between the pump and the thermostat housing. On my 4.3 they put a blue drain plug into the hose to drain it. There is a picture in the manual.

http://www.maxumownersclub.com/forum/site_files/manuals/mercruiser/25.pdf

 

[hostage]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

Here is Service Manual 25. I would download it before it disappears. Start reading on page 1B-31. If you're looking for the hose to the water circulating pump, you can't miss it. It is bolted right to the engine above the crankshaft pulley (big one on the bottom). The hose goes between the pump and the thermostat housing. On my 4.3 they put a blue drain plug into the hose to drain it. There is a picture in the manual.

http://www.maxumownersclub.com/forum/site_files/manuals/mercruiser/25.pdf

Thanks I already had it, was just wanting some clarification. It seems like the 4.3L comes in a lot of different configurations.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

If you've drained everything according to the manual you're good to go.....Antifreeze is optional.

 

[Squamtastic]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

Hi, I want to try to winterize my boat this year. I have a 2000 350 v8 i/o mercrusier w/ fuel injection, has any one evey done this, have any helpful tips?...thx

 

[Don S]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

Start a new thread of your own, this thread belongs to hostage.

 

[91chaparral4.3]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

I see alot of members getting replies for "bumping" threads. I am very new to this site and don't know how to start a new one. I am also very new to boating (1 month) and really need help winterizing.

 

[Don S]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

Click on this link http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

Then look just above the first thread in the list of threads in this forum. There is an announcement and a big blue button that says "+Post New Thread" click that button and see what happens.

 

[91chaparral4.3]

Re: I think I winterized my boat...

Thank you