Winterizing!

[TomB985]

Re: Winterizing!

That is just a plain dumb thing to do. First, even if it is non toxic, why dump it in your local lake. Geeeee.

Next, and the big thing. Taking your boat to the water without testing things and getting it ready for the water is what clogs up the ramps with dummies and their non running boats every every spring.
Start it up at home, make sure it will actually start and run, make sure it shifts without shutting down when you go into gear, see if the steering wheel actually turns the drive, run the engine on muffs and make sure it doesn't overheat, or fill up the block with water.

Only amateurs head to the water without test running the boats systems.

This is why I'm asking these questions, I have lots of boating experience but am a total amateur when it comes to owning and maintaining them! My parents used to pay the marina to do their service, which is something I have no intention to do. Which is why I'm asking these questions.

non-tox. it looses it's anti-freezing ability when mixed w/ water thats why you have to drain the engine first. in spring launch it and go.

Nobody said anything to the contrary, and otherwise I've received remarkably little feedback when it comes to the antifreeze part of the process, which happens to be why I asked further questions. I didn't know it was a dumb thing to do until you just replied.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Winterizing!

Ayuh,...When ya pull the T-stat housing, ya need new gaskets, 'n ya gotta scrape, 'n sand the old gaskets off....

If ya Drain it, ya don't need No parts...

Btw,... Ya also should pull the end of the Big hose off the circulating waterpump,...
It'll hide a Qt. or 2...

Missed this when I was typing my first reply. This is starting to sound like more work! I don't like the idea of all that iron exposed to the elements so it can rust; is this a problem or am I just making something of nothing? I know old antifreeze in a car can cause corrosion problems, but I have never heard of such a thing on the engine block. Radiators seem to be a common failure point for this, and of course a raw water cooled boat engine has no radiator to fail.

Maybe I'll just take the easy way out...

 

[billallison]

Re: Winterizing!

I'll be doing my own winterizing this year and have tried to educate myself on the best way to deal with the cooling system. I have a Mercruiser with a single point drain and have decided to add antifreeze for insurance against freezing if water is still in the system. However, I've read opinions on whether to use it or not use it, and how to put it in - using muffs, disconnect the hoses and pour it in, or pour it down the thermostat housing.

I'm not interested in removing the thermostat housing and replacing the gasket, so I'd like to know the procedure on pouring it in the hoses. Do I drain the water from the engine, then disconnect the 3 large hoses connected to the thermostat housing and pour in the antifreeze until full?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing!

I'll be doing my own winterizing this year and have tried to educate myself on the best way to deal with the cooling system. I have a Mercruiser with a single point drain and have decided to add antifreeze for insurance against freezing if water is still in the system. However, I've read opinions on whether to use it or not use it, and how to put it in - using muffs, disconnect the hoses and pour it in, or pour it down the thermostat housing.

I'm not interested in removing the thermostat housing and replacing the gasket, so I'd like to know the procedure on pouring it in the hoses. Do I drain the water from the engine, then disconnect the 3 large hoses connected to the thermostat housing and pour in the antifreeze until full?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,...

This is Tom's thread, start a thread of yer own Bill...

 

[billallison]

Re: Winterizing!

Sorry about that - thanks for the direction.

 

[TomB985]

Re: Winterizing!

So I'm reading through my owner's manual and am reminded why I was nervous about all the drain plugs.

I found the two for the manifolds, the two for the block, and one on the water pump outlet hose. Those are all that's ever been mentioned to me, but my owner's manual is showing one, and possibly two more. Says there is one at the "Fuel cooler to thermostat housing hose", and one at the check valve(if equipped).

The check valve one looks like it's right next to the idler pulley, and after thoroughly searching the area I'm satisfied that it does not exist on my engine. But I've been all over this engine and haven't found a fuel cooler nor a hose with a drain plug for which to drain. Do all engines have these? Where would I find it?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing!

So I'm reading through my owner's manual and am reminded why I was nervous about all the drain plugs.

I found the two for the manifolds, the two for the block, and one on the water pump outlet hose. Those are all that's ever been mentioned to me, but my owner's manual is showing one, and possibly two more. Says there is one at the "Fuel cooler to thermostat housing hose", and one at the check valve(if equipped).

The check valve one looks like it's right next to the idler pulley, and after thoroughly searching the area I'm satisfied that it does not exist on my engine. But I've been all over this engine and haven't found a fuel cooler nor a hose with a drain plug for which to drain. Do all engines have these? Where would I find it?

Thanks again everyone!

Ayuh,... The fuel cooler is only used on Efi motors, I believe you've got a Carb, so No fuel cooler...

 

[TomB985]

Re: Winterizing!

Great, that makes it easier!

I now have the confidence that I can do this pretty easily without fear of screwing it up. I'm not going to fill with antifreeze, just seems like too much trouble for very little benefit. It's a freshwater boat so I'm not real concerned about corrosion at this time. Of course I'm also going down the checklist greasing, oiling, and changing everything that needs to be changed. I did purchase freeze coverage just in case...

I want to thank EVERYONE who replied, your knowledge is much appreciated!

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Winterizing!

Ayuh Duh, Drain all the water .. air dont freeze.

 

[svxtech]

Re: Winterizing!

That is just a plain dumb thing to do. First, even if it is non toxic, why dump it in your local lake. Geeeee.

Next, and the big thing. Taking your boat to the water without testing things and getting it ready for the water is what clogs up the ramps with dummies and their non running boats every every spring.
Start it up at home, make sure it will actually start and run, make sure it shifts without shutting down when you go into gear, see if the steering wheel actually turns the drive, run the engine on muffs and make sure it doesn't overheat, or fill up the block with water.

Only amateurs head to the water without test running the boats systems.

I agree, and just to clarify i drain the non-tox from the block before putting it away for the winter (flush with pink untill it comes out the drains/replace plugs after). but as bondo said some gets trapped in the circ pump housing not enough to pollute the lake though.

 

[bick]

Re: Winterizing!

RV antifreeze is NOT non-toxic. It is just less toxic than the auto antifreeze. Maybe non-toxic to ingest, but try pouring some "non-toxic" antifreeze on your lawn. The grass will be dead in a day or two.