winterizing single point

[scoflaw]

2006 twin 5.0's. 1 of the engines water pumps has the 2 blue plugs resting against a stringer.No joke trying to pull that pump. Thinking about draining as much as I can thru the single point method, then adding antifreeze thru the seacock strainer while running it. Any comments?

 

[svxtech]

Re: winterizing single point

2006 twin 5.0's. 1 of the engines water pumps has the 2 blue plugs resting against a stringer.No joke trying to pull that pump. Thinking about draining as much as I can thru the single point method, then adding antifreeze thru the seacock strainer while running it. Any comments?

Is there a sticky on winterizing single point systems?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: winterizing single point

Is there a sticky on winterizing single point systems?

Howdy,


In general, the "single point" systems can be problematic due to (normally occurring) rust flakes clogging the system enough to make you think you have drained the system when in fact the rust (and possibly) other debris blocks the flow of water still in the manifolds and/or block.


Then of course, you discover it next Spring, when you discover a "Spring" (pun intended) in the engine compartment.


The single point systems prevent (or make very difficult) poking a piece of wire or small screwdriver into the block and/or manifold drains to ENSURE that you have cleared the hole of ALL rust flakes to drain all the water out!

Convenience comes with a price.

I wouldn't trust a single point drain system unless the engine and manifolds were brand new...........and since even new raw water cooled engines start rusting immediately, I still wouldn't trust the system no more than 2 years or so before I removed it to ENSURE that the block and manifold drains were completely clear of obstructions!


So, toss a coin.... you might get lucky!



Good luck,


Rick

 

[svxtech]

Re: winterizing single point

Howdy,


In general, the "single point" systems can be problematic due to (normally occurring) rust flakes clogging the system enough to make you think you have drained the system when in fact the rust (and possibly) other debris blocks the flow of water still in the manifolds and/or block.


Then of course, you discover it next Spring, when you discover a "Spring" (pun intended) in the engine compartment.


The single point systems prevent (or make very difficult) poking a piece of wire or small screwdriver into the block and/or manifold drains to ENSURE that you have cleared the hole of ALL rust flakes to drain all the water out!

Convenience comes with a price.

I wouldn't trust a single point drain system unless the engine and manifolds were brand new...........and since even new raw water cooled engines start rusting immediately, I still wouldn't trust the system no more than 2 years or so before I removed it to ENSURE that the block and manifold drains were completely clear of obstructions!


So, toss a coin.... you might get lucky!



Good luck,


Rick

Yep, poking out the drains can be a pain. I found the straw from a can of carb clean or the like works good as there are usually hoses in the way of the quick connects. Still must poke the drains though-good point.

BTW, nice work on the liberator, putting in a B III. The lines on those old 4winns look great, cool boat.

 

[scoflaw]

Re: winterizing single point

Should have mentioned that this is a closed system. It has the brass pumps, and cannot get to the blue plug on the inlet side of the pump. Has anyone tried adding the AF to the strainer while running the motor?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: winterizing single point

BTW, nice work on the liberator, putting in a B III. The lines on those old 4winns look great, cool boat.

THANKS! it was a lotta work, but I think worth it in view of the amount of money I got slowly selling off the OMC junk!!!

I don't know if I would do it again though......All the time I have spent here on iBoats has GREATLY educated me!!!

Should have mentioned that this is a closed system. It has the brass pumps, and cannot get to the blue plug on the inlet side of the pump. Has anyone tried adding the AF to the strainer while running the motor?

Hmm..


All bets are OFF!!

You still do need to ensure that your heat exchanger, raw water pump and oil/PS cooler(s) if installed are either drained or have Anti-freeze run thru them!

 

[svxtech]

Re: winterizing single point

Should have mentioned that this is a closed system. It has the brass pumps, and cannot get to the blue plug on the inlet side of the pump. Has anyone tried adding the AF to the strainer while running the motor?

Closed system as in closed cooled for block coolant and raw water for exhausts?