Help winterizing 2013(?) VP 4.3 mpi

nola mike

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Apr 22, 2009
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Just got down to the river for the weekend, noticed my neighbor's boat still on the lift. Long story short, it hasn't been winterized. We've had a few freezes this year, not sure how cold, but I think engine crackin' temps. I offered to help her pull the boat and winterize. 2 ramps nearby, closest maybe 1 mile max. Other one is maybe 5 or 6 miles, but much easier to drive to, and would let me get in a boat ride tomorrow :)
I'm familiar with the mercs but not VP

1. I plan on idling for 30 min or so and check for water/rising oil level/lousy running/leaks etc, then maybe a shorter close range run and recheck (or just go straight to the close ramp, boo)
2. Boat is a '13 (I think) chaparral with the above mentioned drive line. Does it have some goofy drain system or just the standard 4 drains?
3. Pull t stat hose? Other hoses?
4. Anything else? For some reason couldn't find much here searching. I'd love to read through the service manual. Failing that anybody have a link to the procedure?
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
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VP's are a bit different but still basic GM 4.3.
You got it
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Block and mani plugs, drain j-hose, both hoses at raw water pump (or pull raw water pump cover)

In many cases, easier than Mercruiser
 

nola mike

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Apr 22, 2009
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Well, happy (or sad, I guess--that probably would have been my boat next year had the block cracked!) to report that it didn't crack. Access to everything was so easy. 4 blue plastic plugs, pulled the T stat hose, and saw the water pump hoses before seeing @Scott Danforth 's response. Beautiful day today, ended up on a 40 mile cruise.
Oh, also that boat with only me on board and <10 gal gas, perfect conditions only hit 42 mph WOT. Much heavier than mine...

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