350 mag mpi winterizing

[Eischman]

Just looking to see if I have this correct...
I have heated storage in my pole barn but will be gone for 3 weeks in the winter and just in case the heat would go out before someone could get there... I took out the bottom blue plug that drained the water and took the top blue plug out also (by the thermostat) I am thinking this should give me some time because the water is not trapped and if it did start to freeze it can expand some what.
I know there are a couple more plugs but I cannot reach them, this is not a winterizing job just a temperary backup for a short time in case the heater goes out.

 

[alldodge]

More to it than just 2 plugs usually.
Assuming you have the single point drain, but need to verify. Most sigle point actually have more than just the one and the ones that do have just one also require something else to be used to clear it all out

Serial number?

 

[Eischman]

More to it than just 2 plugs usually.
Assuming you have the single point drain, but need to verify. Most sigle point actually have more than just the one and the ones that do have just one also require something else to be used to clear it all out

Serial number?

0W024039

 

[Scott Danforth]

The single point systems plug up. I wouldn't trust it to drain anything

Unclip the two lower lines to the block water jacket and probe the port with a pick

 

[Lou C]

If you can get at em!
My brother's last boat (2020 Chaparral) you'd have to hang upside down to get at them. Eventually I convinced him to trade it for an outboard!

 

[alldodge]

0W024039

You have at least 3 points and also can have the Merc air pump

Blue plug on water distribution housing (port side front), Cool fuel (port side under exhaust manifold) and raw water pump (starboard side front)

The Blue plug on the thermostat also can have a air pump which is used to pump water out.

 

[Eischman]

If you can get at em!
My brother's last boat (2020 Chaparral) you'd have to hang upside down to get at them. Eventually I convinced him to trade it for an outboard!

Right! I don't know how mechanics get at this stuff unless they have monkey hands.

 

[Eischman]

You have at least 3 points and also can have the Merc air pump

Blue plug on water distribution housing (port side front), Cool fuel (port side under exhaust manifold) and raw water pump (starboard side front)

The Blue plug on the thermostat also can have a air pump which is used to pump water out.

Got it!

 

[Eischman]

I guess my other option is to just put a ceramic heater in the engine compartment and have someone go over and plug it in if I get a notification that the temp dropped below 35 degrees until a HAVAC guy can get there.
Don't worry, no gas leaks or smell!!

 

[alldodge]

No need for ceramic heater if you have a old time 60 watt incandescent light bulb in a drop light. Years back we got a real cold snap and I put one of those in the bilge, it got around 80 degrees in there and it was 10 degrees outside. Could most likely get by with a 40 watt

 

[Chris1956]

I put a 40 watt heating pad under the oil pan, when the temp was cold, and the boat was tied to the dock. I did it mostly to keep the oil warm for starting, but it kept the motor pretty warm as well.