Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

[Moody Blue]

Should I do anything with the various lines that contain small amounts of water when storing for the winter. Temps here can get to -20C.

Concerned about the speedo line and the water pressure gauge from the motor. What is usually done with these?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

They should not be a problem.Just make sure the engine and drive is winterized correctly.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

Wanted to be sure because I have seen copper water pipes ripped open like a bomb exploded. Don't want to find all the lines split open in the spring and have water running everywhere.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

If it made you feel better you could unhook it at the dash and blow some air back through it.
The speedo line should not have water up near the dash anyway.Just enough water goes in the end at the pitot to create pressure at the gauge.

 

[jevery]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

Speedometer won?t usually freeze, but water pressure gauges definitely will. Mine froze last winter and they aren?t cheap to replace at about $60. After talking to other bass boaters, I learned that many others had replaced freeze damaged water pressure gauges and most of those have installed a 3-way tee fitting in the line under the dash with a ball valve to drain the gauge before Winter sets in. If you chose to install this ?insurance? you?ll need

A 1/8? barb tee fitting,
http://www.fittingconnection.com/search.cgi?keywords=barb+tee

A metal ball valve with at least one 1/8? barb fitting
http://www.specialtymfg.com/ball_valves_brass/default.asp

A short length of 1/8? tubing and some small nylon zip ties

I?ll post a pic of my installation if you?re interested.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

If there is water all the way up to a water pressure gauge there is a leak at the gauge. A WP gauge is no different than a speedometer. Water does not flow "through" the gauge or even near it (unless there is a leak). Water pressure compresses air in the line.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

If there is water all the way up to a water pressure gauge there is a leak at the gauge. A WP gauge is no different than a speedometer. Water does not flow "through" the gauge or even near it (unless there is a leak). Water pressure at the source merely compresses air in the line.

 

[jevery]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

Only explanation I could think of is the level of the sender. Pitot tube is well below gauge as would be all senders on I/Os, but sender on my outboard is about level with the gauge. It is a common problem with many posts at Bass Boat Central forum.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Winterizing question - speedo lines & water pressure lines

Thanks for the info. Think I will pull the lines and blow them out just to be sure.