Lubricating water pump on an I/O.. Winterizing Question

[Homerr]

First off.. Thanks JB for the winterizing FAQ. Very nice!<br /><br /><br />Sorry if this question is in the wrong area... Perhaps it can be added to the 'Winterizing' FAQ ?<br /><br />My question:<br /><br />How should (or can) you lubricate a water pump on an I/O engine? <br /><br />I thought I read somewhere that there is a kit or sorts you can hook to your 'muffs' to pump in antifreeze? Is this true?<br /><br />I have a 305 Chevy engine (Mercruiser) and I'm putting it up for the winter. I'd like to get some kind of lube to the water pump, as I already ate one pump a year ago. Can I squirt some lube into the little hole that is on the water pump housing?<br /><br />I really should get freshwater cooling, but I mainly take the boat on local lakes, so I don't think the cost is justified.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Lubricating water pump on an I/O.. Winterizing Question

You can get a Camco kit at West marine that will help you introduce antifreeze into the system via the outdrive.The kit is great!!!!I just used mine and it cut winterizing time in half.If you have a marine water pump there should be no need to lube it.I dont think you can hurt anything by using a little spray lube.Get a manual as there are other things that need to be done like an oil change and fogging of the motor.Charlie

 

[Don S]

Re: Lubricating water pump on an I/O.. Winterizing Question

I'm assuming you are talking about the engines circulation pump as shown below (Item 10). If so, no squirting oil in the wheep hole will not lube the pump. Running a product like Salt-Away through the system while the engine is running will clean not only salt, but mineral deposits that build up in the pump and may help the pump last longer.<br />While using antifreeze to run through the cooling system is a choice, many times the antifreeze protetion will not make it through the block on raw water cooled engines. Just something to think about.<br /><br />

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lubricating water pump on an I/O.. Winterizing Question

hello<br /> on a raw water cooled engine using the camco,or equvalant antifreeze container, while its on the flusher and warmed up after all fluids have been changed, start fogging, run about 1/2 can of fogging oil and shut the motor off. then open the block petcocks and drain the block. one on each side for a V engine. close the petcocks, then open the antifreeze valve and restart the engine so anti-freeze solution is going to the muffs. then watch the level in the jug drop while fogging again. dont let the pump run dry.<br /> the reason for this is raw water cooling still sends most the water through the risers at idle. only when the t-stat opens does waste water leave the block. at an idle very little heat is produced so the t-stat spends most its time shut, and your solution in the block may be very weak. I use the camco frost ban 2000 mixed with 3 gallons of water,it also contains corrosion inhibitors and is low toxicicity.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[ulster]

Re: Lubricating water pump on an I/O.. Winterizing Question

Would like confirmation on using anti freeze for winterizing,<br />We took a large plastic barrel and cut it to size so that we could cover the water intake on the out drive, we filled the barrel and started the motor and ran it until the stat opened, we waited until the liquid in the barrel was quite hot and then checked all hoses which were hot.<br />We then moved to the second motor and completed the same procedure.<br />Our thinking was if the stat is opened and the antifreeze is circulating it has to be good,<br />Note we also re checked the freezing point of the anti freeze after completion to ensure we had good protection -30c

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Lubricating water pump on an I/O.. Winterizing Question

You are hijacking someone elses post ulster.Sounds like you have done things right.Next time start your own post and you will get more responses.Charlie