3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

[Takman]

Hi!

New to the forum. Been reading a lot. Thanks to everyone who posts in here!

I decided to winterize my boat this year. I followed all points listed on this site.... I think

Changed oil and filter
Fogged engine
Drained engine using single point drain system
At the thermostat removed pipes and filled with -100 merc antifreeze until started draining from the blue hoses on the single point drain system
Drained gear lube oil and refilled.

First question is: Should I leave the antifreeze in over the winter or drain it completely?

Second question: Did I miss anything?

Thanks everyone!

 

[mpdive]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Hi!

New to the forum. Been reading a lot. Thanks to everyone who posts in here!

I decided to winterize my boat this year. I followed all points listed on this site.... I think

Changed oil and filter
Fogged engine
Drained engine using single point drain system
At the thermostat removed pipes and filled with -100 merc antifreeze until started draining from the blue hoses on the single point drain system
Drained gear lube oil and refilled.

First question is: Should I leave the antifreeze in over the winter or drain it completely?

Second question: Did I miss anything?

Thanks everyone!

Leave it in. You have the same system I do with the single point drain and you did it correctly. I didn't see you mention a fuel stabilizer. Did you add some?

 

[Takman]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Yes i did add fuel stabilizer. Forgot to mention it as it was the first thing I did actually

 

[mpdive]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Well then, time to put her to bed and try to stay busy for a half a year

 

[Takman]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Thanks!

 

[mpdive]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Your welcome. And welcome to Iboats where you can even learn what doohickies are

 

[svxtech]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Well then, time to put her to bed and try to stay busy for a half a year

Sounds like it's time to buy a sled

 

[Takman]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

What about water in the stern drive where the muffs went on? Is there any water to be drained here? I only changed the gear lube in the drive.

 

[mpdive]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

When your drive was in the down position and you pulled the muffs the water drained out. Make sure you store the boat with the drive in the down position. This prevent's premature failure of the bellows.

 

[Takman]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Any benefit to removing the drive for the winter? Is it difficult to do?

 

[mpdive]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

I would not do it unless you plan on messing with bellows for no reason. Have the bellows ever been replaced and how old is the boat?

 

[Takman]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

The boat is a 2004. I've had it for 3 summers now, maybe 15-20 hours per summer of use. Not sue if the previous owner ever had the bellows looked at. This spring I had the lower end serviced for a leaky seal. Not sure if the Merc service people looked at the bellows.....

 

[mpdive]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

I am in the same boat. Mine is a 2003 with 119 hours on it with original bellows. I am going to winterize it and wait till spring to pull the drive and replace them. From what I understand, insurance companies won't cover a sinking if the bellows have not been serviced. I will attempt mine in the spring just for piece of mind.

 

[Takman]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

Hmmmm. Something to think about in the spring as well for me....

 

[mpdive]

Re: 3.0L mercruiser - antifreeze

I've never done it but I don't scare easy. I worked for GM for over twenty years so I'm sure it's doable. There are a lot of great folks on the board with immense experience at doing it so I'm sure I'll be "knocking on their door"