2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

[jclayto]

It's time again to winterize my boat. I am going to pull the drain plugs and drain the water from the block, and then wanted to use hosepipe & ears to suck antifreeze into the engine from the water intake.. However... I hit a shoal at full speed and tore my lower unit up pretty bad, so right now sucking in from the water intake isint an option.

What is the easiest way to get antifreze through the engine without pulling it in from the water intake on the foot?

The boat had just had oil change, fuel filter change, new plugs, and new plug wires the day the accident happened, so I dont think I will change those during this winterization.

I will also be adding some stabelizer to my full gas tank.

Anything else I should think about?

I plan on getting the outdrive repaired over the winter but want to protect my engine for now.

any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Autotech1]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Use a clean garbage can full of coolant mix? Well maybe not full but about half?

 

[stevieray]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Remove the t-stat housing & the manifold hoses & pour it in from the top - per the manual. I still don't know where the idea of sucking it thru the lower unit came from - it's not in any manual or procedure I've ever seen.

 

[Autotech1]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Yeah thats a much better idea, I dont know a whole lot about boats yet, I just know ive seen people run motors in barrels before.

 

[stevieray]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Check the thread that's pinned at the top of this forum - it has as complete a list as there is for winterizing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

I'd Just Drain It,.............

There's Only 2 Drain Plugs on that motor,..........
Both on the port-side,......
1 down low, about the middle of the Block,.......
And, 1 just above it on the Manifold..........

Then Pull the BIG Hose from the bottom of the Engine's Waterpump................

You'll be Good till Spring............

Alot less Work,+ Air Doesn't Freeze.............

 

[ziggy]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Alot less Work

that's where i'm at. + i don't have to worry about gettin rid of the antifreeze either come spring.....messsssy.......

 

[stevieray]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Alot less Work,+ Air Doesn't Freeze.............

You know, bond-o, that idea is starting to grow on me. But if I can remember the first time I did mine (way back when I was just a bald-faced boy) I found that the PS cooler was stuffed into the bilge so tight that there was no way to get to it or the hoses attached to it. Even took off the oil filter (getting THAT out even takes a small miracle) & it was still impossible to reach it. And worse, it sits at a low spot in the hoses. Pretty certain that's what got me hooked on the AF method. I have always used the PG stuff so I minimize my effect on the environment. (Just so you know where I'm coming from - not trying to contradict your thinking on this particular point).

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Well,.......
jclayto has a 3.0l,.... Probably Doesn't Have a P/S Cooler,.......
Atleast I've never seen 1 on a 3.0l.......
And, his In-coming waterline comes up over the Manifold.......

But,......
I Agree, My 4.3LX has a P/S Cooler that's WAY Down Under the motor,.......
I Added another Drain in it,.... Right At the Cooler......
Or, if you don't care for That,.... It can be Blown Out from Either End of the Same Hose......

Even the Low-Tox Antifreezes are Toxic to My Fishing waters.......

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

I have a power steering cooler on my 3.0.

I still think going dry is a tricky business, especially for novices doing it the first time. I use the RV coolant specified for plastic and metal (some of the RV coolant pink stuff is only for plastic...it's specified on the label).

I have also heard from a mechanic friend just recently that the water pump seals don't like being dry. How much of this is true, I really don't know? It doesn't ever seem to come up here at all. So maybe this is an old boater's tale?

 

[jclayto]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Thanks for the input. I am a little confused and I know i am missign something, but I cant seem to find my drain plugs. I know they are there just cant find them..

A little insight o my boat.. 1990 Chapparal but had a 2005 mercuriser installed when I bought it. Came with the paperwork and remainder of warranty. The paperwork says "installed new 3.0l long block" could it be that the top half of my engine is a little different compared to other 2005 mercs?

My boss has a 2005 boat with the 3.0L in it, and he simply had a T-handle up near the spark arrestor that you push and it opens the plugs.

I love the idea of just draining it. But I need to find the drain plug. Sorry for the stupidity of these questions I am just not mechanical lol

Anyone want to draw me a picture? j/k

 

[tommays]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

Every 3.0 has the plugs in the same place as Bondo said

You need to take off the motor cover and get in there and look OR take it to a PRO and watch and learn the first time



Tommays

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2005 Merc 3.0 - Winterizing with a Twist???

I am just not mechanical lol j/k

In That Case,......
You might want to get that to the Tech, Now rather than Later.....