how to winterize without water supply

[natwales]

I have a 5.7L raw water cooled w/ alpha 1 outdrive. <br /><br />If I keep my boat in a boat yard and there is no water supply nearby, is there any reliable way to still keep water flowing to cool the engine so I can do my own winterization?<br /><br />Someone had suggested keeping a few 6 gallon buckets of water in the cockpit above the engine with a hose running down to earMuffs. <br /><br />Will that work, and if so how long would the water last? does anyone know of any other solutions?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: how to winterize without water supply

Nat, It your boat is run in salt water, you really should flush it with fresh. If it is fresh water used, you have no problem. I would not use the earmuffs, since you really need to remove the thermostat to cause the antifreeze to fill the block properly. Also, those earmuffs are not waterproof and will leak a bunch of AF.<br /><br />Here is my recommeded method. After you have done all the other winterization steps (fuel stabil, change oil...) Remove the two plugs on the block (one on each side) remove one plug in each manifold. Now water will drain out for the most part. Now remove all the hoses from the thermostat cover and pour full strength antifreeze into each hose, until it pushes out the water and emerges at the drain site for that hose. The raw water hose will show the antifreeze at the lower unit intake. Each manifold will show at the drain plug. The large waterpump hose will force water out of the block drains. As the antifreeze shows, install the plugs and fill the block and manifolds. The manifolds will overflow out the prop and/ idle relief openings in the transom plate.

 

[natwales]

Re: how to winterize without water supply

I run in salt, and want to flush and run engine, but the boat is on land and far away from any running water. What can I do?

 

[Bondo]

Re: how to winterize without water supply

Either Borrow the required amount of Hose,.......<br /><br />Put the boat on a Trailer,+ Move It,..........<br /><br />Rig a Reservoir Big enough to run your motor for 10/15 minutes,...........<br /><br />Or,...... You could Pickle the motor Without running it..........

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: how to winterize without water supply

A large plastic tub that will totally cover your inlet ports when filled....And a 55 gallon drum to transport the water....And a 5 gallon bucket to keep feeding it.(The tub)....JK

 

[rbezdon]

Re: how to winterize without water supply

many of the launching ramps I have used have a fresh water feed for clean up. Flush it there before "parking" at your usual location.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: how to winterize without water supply

I think (and not being a smarta$$) your first problem is some boat yard without a water hose

 

[arks]

Re: how to winterize without water supply

I've used the following method for over 15 years on my 260 Merc/ Alpha boat.<br /><br />-First, put gas stabilizer in the tank.<br />-Purchase 8-10 gallons of pink -50 antifreeze.<br />-Run the boat at least 10 minutes to distribute the stabilizer and warm the engine.<br />-Pull the boat for winter storage, and BEFORE the engine cools down and the t-stat closes, install earmuffs with a short hose to a regular submersible pump (120 or 12 volt). <br />-Drop the pump into a 5 gallon bucket filled with straight antifreeze. <br />-Start the pump and engine, then keep replenishing the antifreeze into the bucket until you see it coming out of the outdrive for about 30 seconds. If you can, have someone spray fogging oil into the carb just before shutting down. I usually don't bother...<br />-Shut down. You're done 'til next year! No need to drain anything. <br /><br />I know this isn't the approved method, but it's worked for me for a long time.