When to De-Winterize

[ckirk]

I live in the Baltimore, MD area and have a 99 Bayliner Capri Fish-ski model with a 3.0 L and Alpha I Gen II drive. The motor is currently winterized with anti-freeze. My question is when is it safe de-winterize the engine: remove the anti freeze and leave water in the block. With the long cold winter we've had here I am anxious to get out on the water fishing this year but I expect we will continue to have the nights drop below freezing possibly into April (it just snowed 9" last night).
I would assume that a few overnight hours with the temperature below freezing, mid-20s or so, is not enough to freeze the water in the engine and crack the block; but I would like to know how others handle this situation. When I had a boat with an outboard obviously this was not an issue to worry about. Thanks.

 

[acdc96]

Re: When to De-Winterize

Do you trailer or keep your boat in the water?
If you trailer it just pull the drain plugs on the block and manifold and keep them out until you use it again. Also take the power steering hose off and the water circulating pump hose off.

I'm not really familiar with a 3.0L but my freind had one and I would sometimes help him with it. I have a 5.7L V8.

Good luck!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: When to De-Winterize

I would assume that a few overnight hours with the temperature below freezing, mid-20s or so, is not enough to freeze the water in the engine and crack the block; but I would like to know how others handle this situation.

de winterize when ever ya want. if ya get over night lows below freezing after summization, drain 'all' of the water out of the cooling system prior to those cold nights.
i do this every spring and fall. i also store w/ my cooling system dry for winter lay up. air don't freeze.
myself, any temps close to freeze and i drain the system. water freezes at 32* F. anything close to freezing for an forecast from the weatherman and i drain it. better safe than sorry with a cracked block or manifold.

 

[meisenhuth]

Re: When to De-Winterize

Thanks for asking this question ckirk. I live just north of Baltimore and sick of this winter as well. I had the same question as you, i just got my first I/O project boat and am anxious to start trouble shooting.