Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

[jeep2001]

A friind told me you can run 4 gallons of rv anti freeze through your engine and you dont have to drain anything. He said to fill a 5 gallon bucket with 4 gallons of rv antifreeze, then drop in a small utility pump with a hose connected to ear muffs. Then start the engine and turn on the pump and when the 4 gallons are gone you are done. I am not sure if this is 100% safe so any information would be great?
Thanks Mike

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

Ayuh,... With a Friend like that,... Ya don't need any Enemies....

To winterize a boat, ya Gotta DRAIN it 1st...

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

IMHO start looking for a new block now, beat the spring rush.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

Read this thread about that very same thing:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=280921

 

[jeep2001]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

Thanks everone, I will be sure not to winterize through the ear muffs.
Mike

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

Please, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo.
I need the work, theres nothing wrong with a new block doing it that way.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

My process to winterize is to drain everything pour antifreeze into the exhaust manifold until it runs out the outdrive, pour antifreeze into the water hose coming from the outdrive water pump until antifreeze runs out the water intake.
I drain the antifreeze back out.

My engine block has antifreeze so I am winterizing the manifold, elbow, and fresh water cooling unit.

So far no trouble for the past 6 yrs. I live where temps always go into the 0's

If my engine was raw water cooled I would add some straight antifreeze to the engine block then drain again.

You dont have to use rv antifreeze if you start and flush your motor at home first. Make sure the cat/dog does not drink the stuff.

 

[wi4x4man]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

I have always just drained my boats out, never putting antifreeze in them.

Temps here can routinely get down to -40?F (or ?C for that matter ) and sometimes much colder.

What is the point to putting antifreeze in? I have never had issues. Granted, my experience has only been with 165's, nothing like 4.3's or 5.7's.

 

[ohioriverat]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

I live in illinois and have a friend that uses rv anti freeze every year!!! never had any problems,,, I will only use 100% non diluted antifreeze and i run mine through a 5 gallon bucket. I warm the engine up on the muffs, hook up to bucket and start motor and let it run till all the antifreeze is succked out of the bucket. i have winterized DOZENS of boats every year this way and never had any problems. We only see temps around -10 to 15 at the most around here.. Do it however you want just don't wait to late.

 

[FishHog]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

I live in illinois and have a friend that uses rv anti freeze every year!!! never had any problems,,, I will only use 100% non diluted antifreeze and i run mine through a 5 gallon bucket. I warm the engine up on the muffs, hook up to bucket and start motor and let it run till all the antifreeze is succked out of the bucket. i have winterized DOZENS of boats every year this way and never had any problems. We only see temps around -10 to 15 at the most around here.. Do it however you want just don't wait to late.

I've done the same for decades and never had a problem. Doesn't mean draining it isn't a better method, but if you put antifreeze through the system, what is there to worry about. yes you do need to warm it first on water, then switch. Local marina here does the same and I'm sure they aren't cracking blocks every year. We get very cold temps here.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

Originally Posted by ohioriverat
I live in illinois and have a friend that uses rv anti freeze every year!!! never had any problems,,, I will only use 100% non diluted antifreeze and i run mine through a 5 gallon bucket. I warm the engine up on the muffs, hook up to bucket and start motor and let it run till all the antifreeze is succked out of the bucket. i have winterized DOZENS of boats every year this way and never had any problems. We only see temps around -10 to 15 at the most around here.. Do it however you want just don't wait to late.

I've done the same for decades and never had a problem. Doesn't mean draining it isn't a better method, but if you put antifreeze through the system, what is there to worry about. yes you do need to warm it first on water, then switch. Local marina here does the same and I'm sure they aren't cracking blocks every year. We get very cold temps here.

Ayuh,... If the T-stat just happens to close when the cooler antifreeze hits it,...
Ask me that question again....
There are Hundreds of posters here every spring that think like yerself, with Cracked blocks...

You guys that are dumpin' antifreeze, are buyin' what 4, 5 gallons,..??
That's $20. $30. bucks or more Thrown away...

Drainin' it is Free,...
I boat til ice-up, 'n do it several times a year, for Free...

 

[ohioriverat]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

So i would love to do this, on my 92 4.3 i would have to drain what? the manifolds, block, what else?? thanks alot!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will this work for winterizing a 4.3 mercruiser

So i would love to do this, on my 92 4.3 i would have to drain what? the manifolds, block, what else?? thanks alot!!

Ayuh,... Start here...