Anti freeze necessary for winterize?

jimmyebay

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
83
Got a 1987 johnson 175. Seasons over here in iowa. I have put motor straight up and down to drain water. Is it necessary to pump rv antifreeze in motor or waist of time and effort?! Thanks
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
All the water drains out, so all the antifreeze will do the same thing, kind of a waste of time.
 

Crosbyman

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
4,912
Also drain the gearcase o?l in case you have water in the gearcase. refill with fesh o?l otherwise the gearcase ,may crack due to freezin

if you do find water you will need to reseal the gearcase at some point in time sooner the better :)
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Once the engine is drained, you can rotate the flywheel by hand 1 more rpm. You will see a little additional water come out of the lower unit. This is the water that's trapped inside the impeller housing. It's normally not a freezing issue/problem during the winter: this is not required- as the water can expand against the rubber impeller blades.
 

Grub54891

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
5,908
I never used to. But I heard of one freezing once. Wish I knew why exactly. I still don't to mine but with customers, we do. Them new e-tecs, and mercury 4 strokes could possibly hold some water? till I see a flow chart for them I would run a gallon through or so. But that's just me.....
 

fhhuber

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
1,365
You have to store the motor in the vertical RUNNING position for a few days for all the water to get out. If you leave it at the angle for driving down the road there is still water in it.

Jack up the trailer and put it on jackstands/blocks if necessary to lower the engine. (put a similar block under the tongue jack if you had to do that) Lower the engine to the limit and watch the water come out...
 
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