I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

[bnicov]

So, I decided to winterize/service my boat this year myself with the help of a friend who is former marine mechanic and has his VP ticket. By the time I buy an oil pump and all the necessary supplies (engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, synthetic gear lube) I figure I'll save around $200 or so (most marinas charge around $350 or so here in Ontario for winterization) BUT will have the peace of mind that the u-joints, gimbal bearing and other assorted bits and pieces that make up the SX-M drive and the 4.3GL are all functioning as they should. I've already printed off the relevant pages from the SX drive shop manual and the Engine manual. My buddy said we will be filling the engine with antifreeze as it's his preference over just draining the block and manifolds. I haven't done much wrenching over the past few years and am looking forward to this as a learning experience and besides, it's fun. Once it's done he has a buddy who can shrinkwrap and I have storage lined up so Bob's my uncle.

 

[mrbill812]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Just curious, do you store your boat outside? I'm just wondering why you will be filling the engine with anti-freeze if it is properly drained per the shop manual. And since the VP winterizing procedure doesn't mention anti-freeze, why would your buddy with a VP ticket have you do this. I'm pretty sure your winters can be brutal at times, so I would want the best chance for my boat to survive. I'm a long time mercruiser owner, so doing my best to gleen all the info I can on my VP.

mrbill

 

[bnicov]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Yes, the boat is going to be stored outside. As for filling with anti-freeze, according to him, it's what they did at the marina he worked at for a few years. They'd do it to avoid any nasty surprises in the spring in case all the water didn't drain out. For 10-20 bucks, I figure it's cheap insurance.

 

[bgc]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Good for you! There is a great feeling of satisfaction doing it yourself and a sense of pride.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

That's awesome. The first time you do something is the most expensive with new tools/equipment and all. The subsequent times it is much cheaper since all you need are materials.

More importantly, you have the peace of mind of knowing what was done and you become more familiar with all systems on your boat.

I have drained dry and done antifreeze. I like the anitfreeze in the system better. It has some corrosion inhibiters and I feel, imho, there is less likely to go wrong with stuff over the winter.

have fun.

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Debated at length, but in the "official" (albeit general) "VOLVO PENTA DIESEL AND GASOLINE ENGINES LAYING-UP AND LAUNCHING GUIDE" they very clearly recommends using "Volvo Penta coolant" (anti-freeze) "as it provides good protection against freezing and corrosion."

On my fresh water cooled engine, I did let the impeller suck up the anti-freeze last year, but will likely spend some time on correctly/better fogging the engine and then use a hand pump to pump the anti-freeze through the system with the impeller out (done both in the past, both as easy, but fogging harder using the impeller unless you have a big bucket under the drive, collecting and recirculating the anti-freeze back into engine).

 

[Maclin]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

bnicov,

Getting ALL the water out is critical. Pouring in antifreeze over the top of water will not insure against freezing in case water is left in a pocket somewhere. If you drain all the water out, leave the plugs out then pour the 50/50 mix in until it runs out the holes then plug them back up and top off, then you have a good chance it will not freeze. If you drain all the water out and leave the plugs out and don't pour anything else in then that is the best chance for no freeze damage. That is my opinion.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

I winterized my I/O for decades by just fogging and draining the water. When I bought my inboard last year, I fogged it, drained it and poured propylene glycol (non-toxic pink RV Anti-freeze) into the system trough a hose on the block side of the T-Stat housing. In the Spring, hook up a hose start the boat and blow it out the back end in the drive way....it's non-toxic...safe to use in potable water systems on boats.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Kudos on your ambition to take on the winterization process.

As far as drain VS drain and fill, The Glastron in my signature has been drained only since it was purchased in 1988. No cracked blocks, and original exhaust manifold and circulator pump (lake boat).

If you demand the use of antifreeze, do the environment and the animals in your neighborhood a favor, and use non-toxic RV (pink) stuff. I use it to winterize my cottage, and have never had anything burst yet.

 

[Don S]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

If you start with the engine level, drain as explained in the manual and use a wire or something and make sure the holes are clear, nothing can be damaged. Even if you had a 1/4" deep layer of water in the block it won't hurt anything.
The thing that cracks blocks is when the water has no place to expand. Most cracked blocks are in the top half of the water jacket.

If you forgot to drain a cavity, and just poured some AF on top of the water, it's not going to magically mix and prevent damage, only the top layer of antifreeze won't freeze.

Unknowing people keep the "Must use Antifreeze for Protection" myth going because they don't know any better. Not because AF is needed ........... it's not.

Use AF as a crutch if it makes you feel better, or say it prevents rust, but don't say it's needed to protect from freezing, because it's not.

PS: I've been a marine tech for over 20 years (12 in Alaska), and drained and winterized a lot of engines in that time, and can honestly say I have never lost an engine to freeze damage. Popped the end off a power steering cooler on occasion because I missed it. But never lost a block or manifold.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Kudos on your ambition to take on the winterization process.

As far as drain VS drain and fill, The Glastron in my signature has been drained only since it was purchased in 1988. No cracked blocks, and original exhaust manifold and circulator pump (lake boat).

If you demand the use of antifreeze, do the environment and the animals in your neighborhood a favor, and use non-toxic RV (pink) stuff. I use it to winterize my cottage, and have never had anything burst yet.

You must be storing it in a garage that never gets below freezing.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

You must be storing it in a garage that never gets below freezing.

Nope...
Stored in the front yard of my Cousins cottage in Maine.

 

[1980Coronado]

Nope...
Stored in the front yard of my Cousins cottage in Maine.

Ah....a risk taker then....good luck. I'll spend the time to drain it for my peace of mind.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9650 using Tapatalk

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Coronado,
Think "Rogers" said drained ONLY (and not "only once" or used AF). He is safe and not a risk taker.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Coronado,
Think "Rogers" said drained ONLY (and not "only once" or used AF). He is safe and not a risk taker.

That is correct...

Loosen 6 screws on Sea pump, pull cover forward... drain
open petcock on water pump... drain
open 2 petcocks on the exhaust manifold cap... drain
open 1 petcock on rear of exhaust manifold... drain
open 1 petcock on block under exhaust manifold... drain
open 1 petcock on oil cooler.. drain

Done EVERY year, with out antifreeze...

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Oh...ok....My mistake...misread it. I never used antifreeze in my I/O either. My Inboard has two oil coolers (little heat exchangers) with drain plugs that are very hard to get to with a wrench. It's easier to pull the hoses, so I pull them off and suck the water out with a wet/dry vac. I used antifreeze in it last year just as added peace of mind....but it's not a necessity.

 

[bnicov]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Don, thanks for the info on draining. I just want to make sure that all the water is out. I'd hate to have a surprise in the spring. I'm saving up to get a cockpit cover made for the boat and don't want to spend my slush fund on a new block or manifolds. Thanks for the replies fellas. I know that the antifreeze vs. air debate can be contentious and it was never my intention to start a battle on it.

 

[Eddie Ray]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

I sure am glad I live in south Florida. That all sounds like a nightmare. And any little thing you miss is gonna cost ya big. Good luck all,and try to stay warm.

 

[captmello]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

FWIW, Some of the Volvo 4.3's had a drain plug in the Intake manifold, but I'm not sure which models had it.

Good luck with the winterizing, take your time, after the first time, you'll see it's not too bad.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=515537&highlight=4.3+intake+manifold+drain+plug

In this link, Don gives info on a GI model, but says there is a drain plug on the 4.3 GL. Look for it, seems like you may have one.

 

[ironhead46]

Re: I'm Going to Tackle Winterization Myself This Year

Don, Do u leave the plugs out or u put them back in . I was just wondering. Thanks for the info.