Keep from Freezing

LuckyPenny

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 21, 2003
Messages
256
I have heard many ways to keep my engine from freezing over the winter (I keep the boat in the water year round and use her) I have the 100 watt light bulb in the bulge and it seems to work. vents covered.<br /><br />What I would like to know if anyone has tried block heaters? They are held to the oil pan with a magnet. My concern is as there is only about 6 inches of clearence from the bottom of the pan to the bottom of the boat will I risk cooking the glass bottom? or is there an alternate location to put it where it will be just as effective.<br /><br />I own a 1977 Chevy 5/7L (mercriser 250) :confused:
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Keep from Freezing

Those don't get terribly hot. It can be mounted on the side of the oil pan rather than the bottom. That's about the only alternative. I like that better than the lightbulb. But if you're in the water and that's above 40 degrees, it can get awfully cold outside and not freeze the block. Pull it out of the water and all bets are off.
 

Bondo

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Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Re: Keep from Freezing

It Seems it would do more good if it was mounted to the Block........<br />You need to heat the Block,+ Manifolds..... Not the Oil......<br />How about Under the manifolds, next to the engine block,...?????<br />How many Watts is it rated ???<br />Will it be alright when it gets Wet in the bilge ??????
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,092
Re: Keep from Freezing

Had a customer do all those things and he froze the water inlet line from the seacock to the pump.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
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62,321
Re: Keep from Freezing

Hmmmmmmm, same link, same time, you owe me a beer Merc :D
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Keep from Freezing

Now that was weired! nice timing Don S! I have one in my carpet cleaning truck. 750 watt model keeps extended Chevy Van above freezing SAFELY. I have a truckmounted machine powered by a gas engine in there so I'm concerned about FIRES and EXPLOSIONS.
 

wvit100

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 6, 2002
Messages
416
Re: Keep from Freezing

You'd do good to drain the water from the engine after every use in the winter. All it would take would be for the power to go out in a storm and your engine would be junk.
 

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: Keep from Freezing

I remember oil dipstick heaters. You replaced the existing dipstick with this heater and it kept the oil warm.<br /><br />Anyone tried them?
 

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: Keep from Freezing

wife pulled her car into our detached, uninsulated garage. Its 15 degrees here and has been for 3 days. Snow melted off her car. That 750 watt marine heater is heating the truck which is heating the garage.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Keep from Freezing

so far I have lost 2 motors. actually not me but my customers, they brought them in today for winterizing a few days to late. no my problem now. we sent them all letters in october. we will repower come spring. the last 3 days have been very nice. if I winterize below 35 degrees I charge 150 an hour :) :) <br />I did 5 in the last 3 days all below 29 degrees:)<br /> 3 have sat since august.
 

DC698

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
138
Re: Keep from Freezing

Nothing like waiting till the last minute, Rodbolt, eh? "3 have sat since august" ???? Glad to see these people have money to throw around for new engines! (And it's job security for you marine mechanics!) :) I always try and get my boat winterized around the same time each year(end of october). My mechanic told me that when he starts getting a real large back log into the end of december, he'll tell the people to swing by with the boat if they are nervous of freezing and he'll at least pull the drain plugs off the block.
 

DHPMARINE

Captain
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3,688
Re: Keep from Freezing

It's sad when they swing by and we pull the plugs and nothing comes out because it's already ice.<br /><br />DHP
 

lakelivin

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 19, 2004
Messages
1,172
Re: Keep from Freezing

Lucky, just out of curiosity, how cold does the water your boat is sitting in get? <br /><br />Someone mentioned the risk of power failure. I live out in the sticks, chances of power failure are greater when it gets cold, cause snow or ice can take down trees or limbs near power lines. But I'd be even more concerned using a lightbulb instead of something like a marine heater (or even a something like a heating pad). Light bulb just doesn't seem reliable enough to trust regularly if an engine is at risk.<br /><br />One question, does, say, a mechanics light spark at all when you turn it on? Would one need to be particularly careful about how to use a light bulb (or something else not designed for a marine engine, like a heating pad) to heat a marine engine? e.g., turn it on BEFORE putting it in the bilge as compared to leaving it in the bilge & plugging it in from outside? Or are fumes not an issue if boat has been sitting unused for awhile in cold weather? Just curious as to whether HOW you heat the bilge could present a bigger problem than just freezing the block...
 

Bondo

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Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Re: Keep from Freezing

Originally posted by wvit100:<br /> You'd do good to drain the water from the engine after every use in the winter. All it would take would be for the power to go out in a storm and your engine would be junk.
I like this Answer,.......... Even Better than My Own............... ;) <br /><br />This is what I do, every year from Sept. thru Dec....... Even though Mine is sitting on the Trailer......6 drains,+ I'm Safe....
 

JustMrWill

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
877
Re: Keep from Freezing

Ok...had a thought...<br />Anybody ever try using the water pipe heaters on there boat engine?<br /><br /> Water Pipe Heater <br /><br />Do you think it would be effective?<br /><br />-JustMrWill
 
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