Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

[IMHB]

Northern California...December 4, 2013

Night time lows have been about 33 degrees. Weatherman says it will be going down to 26 on Saturday.
Is that enough to freeze and break an inboard motor?

The motor is covered by the motor box and the boat is covered with a plastic tarp and is under a shed with open sides.

Will it help if I put a 150 watt light bulb under the motor and maybe put a couple of sleeping bags around the motor box?

Any comments will be appreciated....thank you......Harry

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

One night at 26 degrees will not freeze the motor. Leave it as is. Light bulb can't hurt, but not necessary.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

I don't think anyone could really say for sure if 26 overnight can freeze your engine. But I think the light bulb idea is a safe bet.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

As long as the light bulb doesn't burn out. Heating pad is better.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

is the boat on a trailer, or in the water?

75 watt is more than enough. 150 would be way too warm and I would worry about risk of fire.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

Amazon.com: Kat's 1155 200 Watt Magnetic Heater: Automotive

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

Is the boat close by?.......Id atleast pull the drain plugs on the manifolds and motor if it were mine.
26 deg is well past 32 deg freezing...

Just me but new motors are expensive!

 

[Lou C]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

It's all a matter of how long it's at 26 degrees, I'd drain it, takes 1/2 hr at most. Even with it dropping to 33 I'd gave drained it already. Forecasts are not 100% reliable and temps vary by location. I live on the coast here in LI, at my work 6 miles inland its usually 5 degrees colder. Why gamble?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

Is the boat close by?.......Id atleast pull the drain plugs on the manifolds and motor if it were mine.
26 deg is well past 32 deg freezing...

Just me but new motors are expensive!

Ayuh,..... Ditto that,....

My Mentor always said it takes 6 hours at 26? to freeze a block solid enough to do damage,...

I donno whether it's True, or not,...
I've never tested his theory,...

I drain everything long before freezin' weather, or if boatin' in freezin' weather, I drain at the boat launch at retrieval,...

 

[aerobat]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

bondo is spot an. some minutes of pulling the drain plugs vs risking to learn the lesson very hard ? for what ...

 

[Maclin]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

"Cloudy the future is".

Some variables not in your equation...: Forecast my be off, might get colder for longer. Also the light or heater might lose power if a cord is kicked or it overloads an already ovrtaxed breaker.

I always recommend draining, probably because on mine it is literally a 15 minute deal from start (uncovering boat and removing engine house) to done (engine house back on and boat covered).

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

I cracked a block because I gambled...never again.

I use a Walmart 750 watt electric eater in the bilge set to about 40?. I also have a remote reading sensor in the engine compartment so I can see the motor box temp from inside the house.

I also have my generator at the ready - when the weather gets really nasty, the power usually goes out.

If it was 80? and then went immediately to 28 it might take 6 hours to freeze - but if it's 33 all day and the block is at 33 inside and out, I can't believe it will take long for it freeze, expecially if it takes several hours to drop slowly to 28.

 

[jkust]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

You are pushing it a bit if it stays 26 too long. That's right about the temp we start worrying here.

 

[dennis461]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

Do you really have room under your motor for a 150 watt lightbulb and lamp?
If the bulb is hot and gets a drop of oil or water on it, it bursts, starts a fire and melts the ice, :-(

Go out right now and start draining water, call in sick for work tomorrow.

edit- just noticed your other post with he chrome plated lightbulb holder!

 

[tazrig]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

bondo is spot an. some minutes of pulling the drain plugs vs risking to learn the lesson very hard ? for what?! ...

+1^^^

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

Ayuh,..... Ditto that,....

My Mentor always said it takes 6 hours at 26? to freeze a block solid enough to do damage,...

I donno whether it's True, or not,...
I've never tested his theory,...

I drain everything long before freezin' weather, or if boatin' in freezin' weather, I drain at the boat launch at retrieval,...

Your mentor was dead spot on....I live on the west coast where below freezing is a unusal occrence.... the local marine mech's drool at such a ocurence...they make bank. Drain the engine....what was the quote...why isnt there enough time to do it right in the first time, but there's always time to do it right the second time...or money.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

that was Don's famous quote, miss him don't you all???
I tell people if you don't want to have to worry about draining, then you should not own an inboard. You should sell it and buy and outboard. Period. Or else, you will cost yourself thousands one fine day....

 

[boater50]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

No further discussion needed.............drain it! 15, 20 min...tops = peace of mind and a good nights sleep.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Will 26 degrees overnight freeze my motor?

Yep!!