Another winterizing/anti-freeze question

[queasy]

My first post, and sorry it has to be another winterizing question, but I seached, and didn't find this particular one so it'll be quick. New 4.3 mercruiser, carb model. Did all the draining: block, manifolds, hoses. Filled all hoses at thermostat housing with pink stuff (2 gallons worth), let it drain back out. Local mechanic says I'm set, but since this is my first open cooled engine I think I'm going to fill it with 50/50 good stuff like suggested in the service manual. My question: the service manual says to remove the thermostat housing and the thermostat and fill it there. Can't I fill it through the water pump hose at the thermostat housing? That would fill it right up to the thermostat. Great site and thanks for the help!

 

[pra51]

Re: Another winterizing/anti-freeze question

Weither some think right or wrong,here is what I do.I have a 4.3,4 bbl carb omc.I drain all the drain plugs,1 on each exhaust manifold,2 block drains.I stick a wire up in drain to make sure it drains all out,sometimes gets junk clogging it.I use the nontoxic (less toxic) antifreeze.I don't use the rv stuff,I read it hurts the rubber seals and it has no rust prevention aditive in it.I pour the antifreeze mix,I mix strong to the antifreeze side instead of 50-50,into the hose going to outdrive,I then undo the 2 hoses that go to exhaust manifolds and fill them up.I undo the big house that goes to the engine water pump at the thermostate housing and fill the pump and block up.I pour some into top of thermostate where the house goes on.Put all houses back on.Of course pryer to this I have change my engine oil,drive oil,and fogged the engine.Thats what I do and it works for me.

 

[loadnet]

Re: Another winterizing/anti-freeze question

For what it's worth..I bought the 5 gal winterizing kit at Boater's World for $29 bucks.<br /><br />- I start by putting stablilzer in the fuel tank, then filling it right to the top so it'll mix real nice sloshing all around.<br /><br />- I then put the boat where it's going to sit all winter and prop it high enough in the front allowing water, snow etc. to drain off and right out the back hull drain if any gets in under the boat cover.<br /><br />- The 5 gallon container that comes with the kit goes on the swim platform filled with the antifreeze of your choice.<br /><br />- A Dual Valve that comes with kit enables you to run the engine on garden hose till it warms up (opening the thermostat) then you close the garden hose inlet valve and open the antifreeze valve allowing the antifreeze in the container to get sucked all thru your engine via your ear muffs on the outdrive... while it's still running.<br /><br />You can use a kids little swimming pool to catch the excess un-used antifreeze. (Good idea, posted by someone else bout a month ago) (Walmart Kid's Swimming Pool $3.00)<br /><br />I pull the complete drain fittings out rather than just opening my drains, even though I've antifreezed the whole engine..(I don't care, playing it safe) then I remove the necessary lower water hoses, fog her down thru the carb fuel line feed hose plus spray fog inside the carb.<br /><br />I pull the spark plugs, squirt oil in the cylinders, and turn the engine over a few times (coil diconnected) then throw the plugs back in.<br /><br />I repeat the above squirting oil in cylinders 2 times.<br /><br />I spray oil all over the carb and rap it up with a plastic bag leaving air openings around the bottom edges to let moisture build up 'out'<br /><br />I also forget to do, like 2 other things, but I can't tell ya what those are yet, cuz I never remember what they are till I'm just about done. <br /><br />My way of doing things is just my way, and respect all other poster's information on 'How to Winterize'<br /><br />Take care,

 

[CRT Skiff Crafter]

Re: Another winterizing/anti-freeze question

Howdy.<br />Here's my whacky anti-freeze gig. <br /><br />After the fogging step, I drain the water (manifolds, water pump hose, block, etc)and then reinstall the drain plugs and water pump hose. I then pull the hoses from my upper stat housing and remove the upper housing (and stat).<br /><br />Now here's my little kink. I invert the upper stat housing and plug the hoses back into it (no clamps necessary). <br /><br />This allows me to use the inverted stat housing like a "manifold" to add the anti-freeze. The inverted housing provides a great place to pour the anti-freeze into and you don't have to hassel with pouring into the hoses. It's neat and clean too! <br /><br />I of course also pour anti-freeze into the lower housing assuring everything gets "covered". <br /><br />I keep adding anti-freeze till I see it has filled everything (my upper stat housing "manifold" is full and lower housing is full) and it's trickling out the outdrive water intake. <br /><br />I then remove the hoses from the inverted upper housing, reinstall the stat and upper housing, reattach hoses and clamps and that's it for the anti-freeze portion of the winterization.<br /><br />I have rigged up a 5 gallon bucket with a garden hose valve (cost- 8 bucks) and I set this up on my back deck and let gravity and short length of garden hose do the dirty work.<br /><br />This process asssures me that the anti-freeze displaces any water that's lurking in the engine and cooling system. I also leave as much anti-freeze in there as wants to hang around after the process is complete.<br /><br />I'm not using automotive anti-freeze, but the stuff I use does have rust inhibitors and is good for minus 50 degrees. If it gets colder than that, I'm moving! <br /><br />I've been doing some permutation of this process for the past 10 years and it's protected the engines on my current and previous boats perfectly.<br /><br />Hope this is helpful in some fashion.<br /><br />Regards, crt

 

[queasy]

Re: Another winterizing/anti-freeze question

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated.