Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

[achris]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

...Any issues with that plan that any can see off the top? Come spring I'll change the gear oil, fuel filter/separator, oil and filter, and the daggum impeller of course...

Do these things BEFORE the winter. 2 reasons. Firstly, you don't have to worry about it come the first nice boating weather, it's already done the the boat is 'spring ready'. And secondly (and more importantly), if there are any issues (water in the drive for example) and you leave it in during a freeze, you'll be buying a new drive in spring, to replace the freeze damaged one. Also the engine oil needs to be change now. Engine oils build up acid, and left in the engine can do some damage. Change it now, and hibernate relaxed...

Chris.......

 

[acevedor2]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Do these things BEFORE the winter. 2 reasons. Firstly, you don't have to worry about it come the first nice boating weather, it's already done the the boat is 'spring ready'. And secondly (and more importantly), if there are any issues (water in the drive for example) and you leave it in during a freeze, you'll be buying a new drive in spring, to replace the freeze damaged one. Also the engine oil needs to be change now. Engine oils build up acid, and left in the engine can do some damage. Change it now, and hibernate relaxed...

Chris.......

Thanks. I should be able to get everything done but the impeller this weekend. That will have to wait until spring. Draining it was a cinch the first time. All 5 drain plugs are very accessible.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Thanks. I should be able to get everything done but the impeller this weekend. That will have to wait until spring. Draining it was a cinch the first time. All 5 drain plugs are very accessible.

Make sure you take a piece of wire and poke around in those drain holes. I was surprised to find the starboard plug on the block almost completey clogged with crap on my new boat. A couple pokes and the water came pouring out.
After that I wondered how many engines have been ruined by freezing when the owner neglected to prod them. Good thing I learned this on iboats!

 

[acevedor2]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

OK - Had one frustrating day today. I'll admit - I expected issues since this was my first time winterizing it but not the kind I ended up having.
I bought everything I needed (or so I thought) from West Marine yesterday. Got home and went to change the fuel filter. Couldn't fit either of my filter wrenches on it because there wasn't enough room for leverage - so out to the parts store I went to get a cap type filter wrench. 45 minutes later, got back and another 30 and the fuel filter was off, new one filed with stabilized gas and replaced. All good.

Started the engine on muffs to get it warmed up to drain the oil. Got it up to temp and then I went to change the oil. Started draining it - oil looked brand new. So as it was draining I encountered the next snafu - went to change the oil filter - had the WRONG filter *&^!. It's the one they gave me, but it is definitely way too big when compared to the one on the block. At this point it was getting late and though the entire day had been and was supposed to stay sunny, it started to rain. I didn't have time to go back to West marine (it's about 35-40 minutes away) and I am not sure they even have the correct filter.

The biggest pain was that because I had started and ran the engine, I had to drain it and clean out the bilge again because it is supposed to freeze this weekend. So now I have actually drained the engine twice and still haven't finished the maintenance/winterizing.(*&!

I drain some of the gear oil, but just enough to make sure it looked good. I will change it in the spring when I replace the impeller - which I have on hand. Didn't want to waste the oil doing it now if it was going to have to come out int he spring anyway.

So now I have two questions:
1. The block has no oil in it because I didn't want to refill the engine without changing the filter. Will this be a problem if it stays like this for a few days until the filter comes in (assuming i have to order one)? I know generally you want oil in there because of condensation and corrosion, but I assume a few days will not hurt anything. Is that correct?
2. Is it acceptable to use a standard Fram/Mobil1/Napa oil filter? Or is there something special about the Mercury/Sierra marine filters? I have done some searches, but opinions seem to vary.

Thanks again for all of the help everyone.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

1. The oil just sits in the pan. The oil that was in there should protect the parts in the rest of the engine since you really can't drain 100% of it. The only problem I have heard about is the oil pump loosing prime.

2. I use Napa. It is the same as Wix. I a not a fan of Fram after looking inside.

I would run to Napa and grab a filter and fill it with oil and start it up. Even if you are not comfortable with it you can change it out in the spring and not have to worry about anything.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

had the WRONG filter *&^!. It's the one they gave me, but it is definitely way too big when compared to the one on the block.

Ayuh,... What's the Difference,..?? Length,..??

If so, 'n if the space will allow, Use it,....

Chevy filters come in atleast 3 lengths, all the same filter, longer is better, more filtration,..
Shorter is Ok, as Boaters tend to change the oil very often,..

 

[acevedor2]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Width is the problem. The one they gave me is about twice the thickness. It won't fit. Gonna see if WM has one tomorrow. I'm hoping they have either the Quicksliver or a Sierra that crosses in stock. If not, I'll probably head to napa and get a gold or platinum.

 

[acevedor2]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Ok, I used a while damn can of fogging fluid and the engine would not stall. I tried it at both idle and about 1500 rpm. It smoked good, and coughed a couple of times, but would not stall. So I shut heroff when I ran out of the can of fluid. Is this normal, and camo assume it is still coated well because of the smoke?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Both of mine never died with fogging. I let a smoke a little and shut it down. The only thing that would die for me with fogging is my 2 stroke jet ski.

 

[acevedor2]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Both of mine never died with fogging. I let a smoke a little and shut it down. The only thing that would die for me with fogging is my 2 stroke jet ski.

Thanks! I was worried about that. I think I'm done, the only thing I have left to do is to disconnect the battery, but I will probably have it shrink wrapped and I figured they might want to move the stern drive to bag it. I'll probably have them disconnect it (remove it) when they shrink wrap it. Hell, I am almost considering shrink wrapping it myself. Wonder how hard it is.

I have to say, that I have been working on cars for nearly 30 years. My entire family are mechanics or retired mechanics. And this boat kicked my butt. Even today, the oil filter fought me tooth and nail. Picked up a new one today from WM - a Sierra. Got the correct filter wrench and spent 45 minutes trying to get enough leverage to get it off. I am 5'10" and 220 and it wouldn't budge. Not sure what the shop put it on with last year, but it sure didn't feel hand tight. Gasket stayed on the block even when I removed the filter.

That said, the advice/knowledge on here has been invaluable and I really want to thank everyone for all of the help. I learned a lot by doing it myself and I'll learn even more next Spring when I am doing the impeller for the first time

I did have two follow on questions based on stuff I saw today. The first is when I pull the prop off and regreased the shaft. I noticed after I put it back together it had a little back and forth play in it. That might be normal, and I certainly didn't pay attention to see if it was there before. I optested it and it ran fine. Video below to see what I am talking about.
Mercruiser prop - YouTube
The other thing i found interesting is that I noticed there are two weep/drain holes just below where the lower part of the stern drive bolts to the upper half. When mine was on the muffs, one had water coming out pretty vigorously, and the other just had it very slowly coming out. Is that normal? Again, everything worked fine, plenty of water out of exhaust ports, etc. Video here: Mercruiser on muffs - YouTube

 

[thumpar]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

The play is normal. Also the upper and lower are not sealed together so water would not concern mean. You could easily remove the drive yourself. I had my Alpha down and could take it off and put it back on in 5 minutes with power tools. The Bravo was a little slower as it was my first time and is a little different at the shift linkage and pitot tube. That damn thing is heavy.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Those things never really work that well. I have one and its the same thing. Also the anti-freeze has no cooling qualitys so it is not going to do much to cool things down. Do this.

Drain the block
put the block drain plugs back in
pull the thermostat housing
dump pink stuff down in to the block and every hose attached to the thermostat house
drink a beer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing Issues - Bayliner F-18 4.3 TKS

Those things never really work that well. I have one and its the same thing. Also the anti-freeze has no cooling qualitys so it is not going to do much to cool things down. Do this.

Drain the block
put the block drain plugs back in
pull the thermostat housing
dump pink stuff down in to the block and every hose attached to the thermostat house
drink a beer.

Ayuh,.... though I no longer drink beer, I don't abuse the antifreeze either,....

I guess I could call it my Alcohol Free winterizations,....