Winterizng 5.7GL

weseely2002

Cadet
Joined
Sep 2, 2013
Messages
6
So I drained my block, hoses, and manifolds before using the muffs to circulate just antifreeze and then I went back and drained the block and manifolds again to make sure the antifreeze had actually gotten in. Everything drained out was antifreeze. Should I go back and run more antifreeze though and fill everything up or just leave it as is? also if I just leave it as is would you leave the drain plugs off of the manifolds and block?
 

gdeangel

Seaman
Joined
Oct 28, 2011
Messages
51
Re: Winterizng 5.7GL

I think most people who take the the "air won't freeze" view and store the block drained do so because they don't have the bucket and hose setup and/or don't want to be pulling hoses and spilling antifreeze in the boat. There are some folks = I suspect most of the shops in my area - who don't even bother to drain the engine/hoses and just run with the anti-freeze through the muffs, but they just run it on the muffs for a long time and end up wasting more antifreeze until they hit the point where from a business standpoint they've done it 1,000's of times and don't get many failures. You don't have to pay the boat to idle itself, but you do have to pay your mechanic to pull hoses.

Anyway, if it was me, I'd spend the $15 for a few more gallons of antifreeze and either run it on the muffs again or pour it into the block, but I'm one of those who never felt comfortable with the "air doesn't freeze" approach - I always figure air has moisture and moisture and moisture condenses on cold metal.
 

skydiveD30571

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Messages
1,042
Re: Winterizng 5.7GL

There's been a million threads over this same question, and they always result in the same debate. If you drained the block completely, you are fine. Draining and running with AF and draining again is even better. There's no need to fill it up with AF but if it makes you feel better, then go right ahead.
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: Winterizng 5.7GL

The VP manual for my setup shows draining only for "Freeze Protection" for the season. For longer periods, like years more than months, or in a very harsh environment, it shows a much more detailed process for "inhibiting" as it calls it, shows how to introduce corrosion inhibiting anti-freeze to the engine block and drive (yes, it says for the drive also), what to do for oil change and fuel system and fogging.
 
Top