WInterization vs in line heater

jtbrtc

Recruit
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
1
Purchased a 240 Sundeck, with 5.0L Merc I/O this past spring and live in the Carolinas. Winters are reasonably mild and am considering an in-line heater vs full winterization. Does anyone have expirence making this decision? What should I be concerned with other than potential power failures?

Thanks Jack
 

Georgesalmon

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
1,793
Re: WInterization vs in line heater

Well, I would worry about water in the sea water pump and manifolds, they won't be in the path of the heater. You need to drain everything except the engine antifreeze of course.
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: WInterization vs in line heater

Purchased a 240 Sundeck, with 5.0L Merc I/O this past spring and live in the Carolinas. Winters are reasonably mild and am considering an in-line heater vs full winterization. Does anyone have expirence making this decision? What should I be concerned with other than potential power failures?

Thanks Jack

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

I suppose by "in-line heater" you mean a heating element in a raw water hose etc. They're just about as reliable as a small space heater or lightbulb in the bilge/engine compartment etc.

You need to decide how much a "potential power failure" is worth to you. Is it worth a $5000 engine when either it fails or the power goes off or a GFI/CB trips on a cold few days and nights when you're out of town?

"Mild" winters have cracked MANY marine engines!

Draining the block and manifolds is not all that difficult, doesn't take very long to do and it solves all the problems.


Good luck,


Rick
 

Bondo

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Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,251
Re: WInterization vs in line heater

Purchased a 240 Sundeck, with 5.0L Merc I/O this past spring and live in the Carolinas. Winters are reasonably mild and am considering an in-line heater vs full winterization. Does anyone have expirence making this decision? What should I be concerned with other than potential power failures?

Thanks Jack

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Learn how to properly Drain everything, 'n you'll have No concerns at All.....
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,333
Re: WInterization vs in line heater

Purchased a 240 Sundeck, with 5.0L Merc I/O this past spring and live in the Carolinas. Winters are reasonably mild and am considering an in-line heater vs full winterization. Does anyone have expirence making this decision? What should I be concerned with other than potential power failures?

Thanks Jack

Too much opportunity for failure. . . and the price of failure is high. Best to drain things down . . . , i. e. winterize.
 
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