2016 Mercruiser 4.3 TKS (Carb) Winterization Procedure

[kaclark22]

Hi all - I am planning to winterize my engine differently than I have in years' past. Previously, I would run the engine on muffs. It works but I just don't like that procedure. This year I am planning to follow the below procedure. Can you please chime in if there is anything I missed? I am only talking about the protecting your engine from freezing temps portion of winterization, not oil change, gear lube etc etc.

1. Pull drain plugs. My boat has 5 blue plugs. Ensure water is draining freely. If not, take an allen wrench and clean out the rust.
2. Turn over the engine to remove water from the outdrive impeller housing.
3. Re-install drain plugs.
4. Remove starboard side hose of thermostat.
5. Pour 2-3 gallons of antifreeze in.
6. Open drain plugs, ensure all 5 are draining antifreeze.
7. Re-install drain plugs.
8. Pour another 1-2 gallons of antifreeze in the starboard side hose of the t-stat.

I would like to reverse flush the outdrive with antifreeze as well but I do not know how to do that. Would filling the port side hose of the t-stat with 1-2 gallons of anti-freeze work??

Thank you in advance!
Kyle

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

the outdrive taking it off. inspect it and lube the grease . inspect the bellows .
also the outdrive gear oil ,..did the water of that inspected it..
the engine is the spark plugs take it off ,and the marvel mystery oil 1OZ ...in the cylinders .. then the spark plugs on engine ..no running in the winter engine ..
the impeller did not run the engine of that water .....the outdrive is in the fall and the water drained it , take it off ..

 

[Scott06]

Hi all - I am planning to winterize my engine differently than I have in years' past. Previously, I would run the engine on muffs. It works but I just don't like that procedure. This year I am planning to follow the below procedure. Can you please chime in if there is anything I missed? I am only talking about the protecting your engine from freezing temps portion of winterization, not oil change, gear lube etc etc.

1. Pull drain plugs. My boat has 5 blue plugs. Ensure water is draining freely. If not, take an allen wrench and clean out the rust.
2. Turn over the engine to remove water from the outdrive impeller housing.
3. Re-install drain plugs.
4. Remove starboard side hose of thermostat.
5. Pour 2-3 gallons of antifreeze in.
6. Open drain plugs, ensure all 5 are draining antifreeze.
7. Re-install drain plugs.
8. Pour another 1-2 gallons of antifreeze in the starboard side hose of the t-stat.

I would like to reverse flush the outdrive with antifreeze as well but I do not know how to do that. Would filling the port side hose of the t-stat with 1-2 gallons of anti-freeze work??

Thank you in advance!
Kyle

No need to use so much AF unless you get the good stuff which is PG based with corrosion inhibitors. I drain mine probe the holes, take the hose off thermostat housing coming from the drive pour about a half gallon that will back flush out the drive. Put the two block plugs and the J hose plug back in and I use a cut off piece of old radiator hose on the thermostat housing and pour the remaining half gallon in then take the plugs out. I leave the plugs out. All you are trying to do is get any pockets of remaining water or debris flushed with af.
i change my engine oil, drive lube, fog the engine, and add stabil to fuel tank. This has worked great for me for 30 years.

also take the prop off and grease the splines. Make sure the drain hole on side of drive is clear.if you store the boat outside and drive is up cover the exhaust port in drive or prop to keep water and leaves from accumulating in there and freezing.

 

[kaclark22]

the outdrive taking it off. inspect it and lube the grease . inspect the bellows .
also the outdrive gear oil ,..did the water of that inspected it..
the engine is the spark plugs take it off ,and the marvel mystery oil 1OZ ...in the cylinders .. then the spark plugs on engine ..no running in the winter engine ..
the impeller did not run the engine of that water .....the outdrive is in the fall and the water drained it , take it off ..

Thank you for your reply Roy!

 

[kaclark22]

Thank you Scott! I completely agree with your procedure. Sounds like you have the 3 point drain system. I have the 5 but same procedure. I am happy to use less AF! The stuff is expensive! I do buy the good AF. I have found West Marine to have the best prices on it. I did a mid-season outdrive pull and prop greasing so I all good there. I store indoors. It’s costly but worth it imo. I may just leave the drain plugs out as well. The only reason I may leave them in is for the corrosion inhibitors in the good AF. Thanks again!

 

[Scott06]

Thank you Scott! I completely agree with your procedure. Sounds like you have the 3 point drain system. I have the 5 but same procedure. I am happy to use less AF! The stuff is expensive! I do buy the good AF. I have found West Marine to have the best prices on it. I did a mid-season outdrive pull and prop greasing so I all good there. I store indoors. It’s costly but worth it imo. I may just leave the drain plugs out as well. The only reason I may leave them in is for the corrosion inhibitors in the good AF. Thanks again!

No I have the five point drain, just no need to put the plugs back in the manifolds unless you fill the block up and it starts filling the manifolds when thermo housing overflows.

Yes you can leave the AF in for corrosion protection. A lot of saltwater folks do this, but if you boat in fresh like I do you will never have enough corrosion in the jackets to matter.

Its really a what ever you feel comfortable with, I just use it to wash out any remaining water or water in any silt in the jacket.