Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

[mt_bulldawg]

I emailed these guys and told them I had a closed system - wanted to know what they charge to winterize it. Gave me a price of $139, including changing out fluids in lower unit. Good deal. So I take it down today and drop it off and on way home (40 miles later), they call and say it's an additional $100 to winterize a freshwater system. I asked why - they said an extra hour of labor. This is my first closed/freshwater system boat - always winterized my raw water systems myself - but schedule and lack of knowledge has led me to choose this route this year.

Does it really cost more to winterize a closed/freshwater system, and if so, why?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Don S]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

Does it really cost more to winterize a closed/freshwater system, and if so, why?

I suppose if you failed to keep the antifreeze low enough temperature wise during the summer by adding just plain water, they will have to drain the old stuff, add new to the proper temp get it mixed in the system by running the engine for awhile, yeah, it could cost more.

Other than that, no.

Might be a good idea to stop with the email, call them and ask why. No one here knows why they said it.

 

[mt_bulldawg]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

Thanks for response - I checked antifreeze religously - never had to add fluid and per the gauge, boat ran all summer no higher then 170 degrees. One of the reasons I went with a closed system was I read over and over again that it's an easier system to maintain - including winterizing.

 

[Don S]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

Like a car, check the protection temp of the antifreeze. If it's only good for +10?F, it won't help much if you have -30? temps to deal with.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

I agree. If they determined that the antifreeze is diluted then a change is in order.

V

 

[mt_bulldawg]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

Well, I know they didn't get that far (checking coolant condition). I hadn't been gone ten minutes when they called - just said service on freshwater system is $100 more. Period. My only complaint is that I made it clear when asking for a price that I did specify it was such a system.

 

[Don S]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

My guess is they don't have a clue how a closed cooling system works or what to do with it. I would be very worried.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

Perhaps there is confusion terminology. Does your boat have galley/head with running water? This can be considered "freshwater system" as well as the engine "fresh water system" (manifolds & heat exchanger). Either way they should have contacted you about an additional expense. $100 for freshwater system (sinks) is the going rate in Chi-town.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Dealer says it costs more to winterize closed/freshwater system?

This is exactly the reason I do my own service. I don't like feeling like I am being ripped off and I hate wondering if the shop knows what their doing. Finding a good mechanic for a car is tough, for a boat even tougher.