I recently purchased my first I/O. It is a 5.0 Mercruiser 220HP with an Alpha One Drive. I am getting ready to go get it winterized. The Marina told me that during the winterization process, they drain all the water from the motor, fog the carb and cylinders, and drain the lower unit.
They told me that they usually don't put antifreeze in the motor because it can cause what ever water is remaining to not have anywhere to expand to during the cold spells and it and can crack the block.
Is it better to fill the motor with antifreeze or is it better to leave it totally drained with nothing in it? Is winterizing the motor a difficult thing to do by myself. They are looking to charge $170 to do it.
They are also telling me that I should have my boat shrink wrapped at $10/ft. Is that necessary and what are the downfalls to just covering it with a tarp and tying it down?
Thanks,
Mark
They told me that they usually don't put antifreeze in the motor because it can cause what ever water is remaining to not have anywhere to expand to during the cold spells and it and can crack the block.
Is it better to fill the motor with antifreeze or is it better to leave it totally drained with nothing in it? Is winterizing the motor a difficult thing to do by myself. They are looking to charge $170 to do it.
They are also telling me that I should have my boat shrink wrapped at $10/ft. Is that necessary and what are the downfalls to just covering it with a tarp and tying it down?
Thanks,
Mark