Polar Air - Midwest Weather

[Boilers2000]

Quick question...was 80 on Saturday so fired up my 4.3LX for the first time. Looked a the long range forecast and some polar front has decided to park over the midwest for the next couple of days. Sunday was 72, this week temps will be high 50's to low 60's with lows at nights getting down to 30 on Friday. Should I be concerned about that night of below freezing or are the daytime temps high enough to not worry about it? Should I drain the manifolds? TIA for any advice.

 

[tpenfield]

We have been getting 'polarized' for weeks in the Northeast . . . finally got to about 65˚ F this past weekend. I would have started the engines on my boat, but thinking the temps will drop back down again.

It is a judgement call on your part and very dependent on how cold, how long, and the exposure of your boat/engine bay. If you want to feel better, drain down the exhaust manifolds and the engine block and call it good.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the boat is in the water, dont worry about it

if the boat is in the garage, dont worry about it

if the boat is out back on a trailer, plug a trouble light in and hang it in the bilge for that night

 

[Boilers2000]

It's on a trailer at a storage place so don't have access to power. are there battery trouble lights?

 

[Scott Danforth]

nothing that would generate heat.

suggest you simply drain the block and manifolds

 

[Boilers2000]

what if I drain block and wrap a moving blanket around the engine, something acting as insulation has to be better than nothing. hopefully the low forecast comes up over the next couple of days.

 

[72fj40]

Imo, it's not worth the risk and possible expense not to drain the blk and manifolds if the temps are going to be questionable. In our boat the manifolds are easy to drain, the blk is a little more difficult.

 

[ahicks]

Have to agree. Not worth the gamble. There's also the chance that it could be colder than forecast.... wouldn't be the first time THEY were wrong.

 

[racerone]

Drain it.

 

[Boilers2000]

potential dumb question...do the brass plugs on either side drain the block or the manifold. and depending on the answer the previous question easiest way to drain the other.

 

[ahicks]

To drain, ALL the plugs must be removed. Those in the block as well as those in the manifold, as well as any others that might be there. The manifolds for instance, may have 2 on each side.

 

[Boilers2000]

Looked in the service manual it says 2 on the block, chekc have done those before, says there could be if equipped with elbow risers, Last time I looked I couldn't find a plug, but I'll look again. Also says to pull the power steering cooler tube from aft end. I think that's it. Anything I am missing. Does the riser have to have a drain plug?

 

[mr 88]

Yes the riser should have two plugs per riser , one on each side . Closet plug to the exhaust manifold. Usually has square end instead of hex. Doesn't hurt to run a zip tie or something like that in the hole to break up any rust that collects there. You didn't say if you have a closed system , as in it takes anti-freeze , or open . That will make a difference in how it's drained. Too bad you couldn't take it home or to a friends for the night so you could just drop a trouble light in it as noted before.

 

[Boilers2000]

Its an open system. I wish I had an indoor spot too. One of these days I'll find a place with a barn or big enough garage. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Boilers2000]

Hoping someone can walk through this....why do the risers/manifolds need drained? Is there a one way valve that traps water somewhere on an open system. As you drain the block and adt end of the power steering cooling tube would gravity take over? Can't find a good diagram online. Also I don't think my manifold, riser, or elbow have a drain plug? Do I just pull the hose? TIA

 

[tpenfield]

Hoping someone can walk through this....why do the risers/manifolds need drained? Is there a one way valve that traps water somewhere on an open system. As you drain the block and adt end of the power steering cooling tube would gravity take over? Can't find a good diagram online. Also I don't think my manifold, riser, or elbow have a drain plug? Do I just pull the hose? TIA

From the exhaust manifolds, water would have to travel uphill to get to the thermostat housing where it could drain through the engine block. It is not going to do that, so that is why you have to drain both the block and the manifolds.

 

[Boilers2000]

Thanks everyone for advice the past couple of days. I drained everything per the service manual; man there is a lot of water. Hopefully Mother Nature gets her act together...I am in desperate need of some wake therapy!