Mercruiser Alpha One Gen I Winterization

[jamcaezza]

Does anyone have a reliable reference for Winterization of this stern drive?? The procedure laid out simply

Have seen many YouTube videos, but not sure of draining recommendations VS displacing water with antifreeze with lower unit muffs.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Whether you use antifreeze, or not, step #1 is to drain the block of water,.....
Can't tell ya how, as you haven't said which motor ya got,....

The drive itself is self-drainin', when lowered,....

 

[Bt Doctur]

and the drive kept in the down position

 

[airshot]

I always remove my outdrive for the winter, easy to do, this allows for a good inspection to see if all is well. This way the gimbal bearing, shift cables and boots can all be checked. If I find any issues, I have all winter to get them fixed rather than waiting in the long line in the spring when everyone wants there boat fixed !! Then in the spring, a quick alignment check andvreinstallvthe outdrive and comfortable for another season that all is good...preventative maintenence beats emergency any time..

 

[nola mike]

Does anyone have a reliable reference for Winterization of this stern drive?? The procedure laid out simply

Have seen many YouTube videos, but not sure of draining recommendations VS displacing water with antifreeze with lower unit muffs.

The reliable reference for every aspect of maintenance and repair is the official Merc service manual for your engine. No matter how good the advice I may get from other sources, I ALWAYS cross reference with the manual

 

[Rick Stephens]

I always remove my outdrive for the winter, easy to do, this allows for a good inspection to see if all is well. This way the gimbal bearing, shift cables and boots can all be checked. If I find any issues, I have all winter to get them fixed rather than waiting in the long line in the spring when everyone wants there boat fixed !! Then in the spring, a quick alignment check andvreinstallvthe outdrive and comfortable for another season that all is good...preventative maintenence beats emergency any time..

I remove my drive as well - make sure you plug the gimbal bearing with a rag or sumthin. Nasty mess when a critter sneaks through and makes a home in your bilge.

 

[jamcaezza]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Whether you use antifreeze, or not, step #1 is to drain the block of water,.....
Can't tell ya how, as you haven't said which motor ya got,....

The drive itself is self-drainin', when lowered,....

Hello,

Thanks for the info. My engine is a 2010 Mercruiser Alpha One V6 205.

It is a new engine for this old boat. It was installed in so tight and deep I cannot reach around to find the stop cocks for draining water from the block. This is why I asked about just displacing water with antifreeze. Can’t reach oil filter either—-installed under side of engine.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Hello,

Thanks for the info. My engine is a 2010 Mercruiser Alpha One V6 205.

It is a new engine for this old boat. It was installed in so tight and deep I cannot reach around to find the stop cocks for draining water from the block. This is why I asked about just displacing water with antifreeze. Can’t reach oil filter either—-installed under side of engine.

Unfortunately you are going to have to figure out how to drain the block. Trying to replace the water with antifreeze is how blocks are cracked when you end up pushing antifreeze through the other end without getting enough in the block to prevent freezing.

 

[poconojoe]

You absolutely have to get to those drain plugs.
If you don't, you will be buying a new engine come Springtime.

The oil filter can be relocated by using a remote oil filter kit. That should have been done before the new engine was shoehorned into the engine bay.

 

[ThomW]

Hello,

Thanks for the info. My engine is a 2010 Mercruiser Alpha One V6 205.

It is a new engine for this old boat. It was installed in so tight and deep I cannot reach around to find the stop cocks for draining water from the block. This is why I asked about just displacing water with antifreeze. Can’t reach oil filter either—-installed under side of engine.

As others stated...you need to drain the block first. Trying to just pump antifreeze through will just leave you with a diluted mix that will freeze up and crack the block.

 

[Scott06]

Hello,

Thanks for the info. My engine is a 2010 Mercruiser Alpha One V6 205.

It is a new engine for this old boat. It was installed in so tight and deep I cannot reach around to find the stop cocks for draining water from the block. This is why I asked about just displacing water with antifreeze. Can’t reach oil filter either—-installed under side of engine.

Unless you have a several hundred gallon tank and the correct AF to do this like big marinas do , dont. Drain it first. you have to get to either oil pan rail to drain the block, under each exhaust manifold to drain them, and the big J shaped hose on circ pump in front of block. Some hoses have a drain some are simply removed to drain.

While not easy , and best done by young skinny guys (not me...) it usually can be done, otherwise find a mechanic who can

 

[flashback]

You'll find some folks that do feed 5 gals of anti-freeze thru the muffs at idle and get away with it but it's not fool proof. If the thermostat doesn't open you will have a busted engine but your manifolds will still be ok to use on your next new engine...

I feel your pain as my engine is buried as well. I have put ball valves in the block drains and water line to the steering cooler. Can't comment on how well it will work yet but I'm gonna chance it...

 

[airshot]

Hello,

Thanks for the info. My engine is a 2010 Mercruiser Alpha One V6 205.

It is a new engine for this old boat. It was installed in so tight and deep I cannot reach around to find the stop cocks for draining water from the block. This is why I asked about just displacing water with antifreeze. Can’t reach oil filter either—-installed under side of engine.

If you cant do a thorough drain of the block, you better consider a heated storage facility. One thing I checked very closely was room in the engine compartment when I purchase an I/O.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Does anyone have a reliable reference for Winterization of this stern drive?? The procedure laid out simply

Have seen many YouTube videos, but not sure of draining recommendations VS displacing water with antifreeze with lower unit muffs.

Factory manual is the only good reference

YouTube is 90% wrong info

You can NEVER displace water by sucking up antifreeze on the muffs.

Factory info condensed:

Remove drain plugs from manifolds and motor - Drain water
Pull any hoses that do not have drains and drain
Replace hoses and plugs


If you want to add antifreeze, use a funnel and add to the motor via the thermostat housing

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hello,

Thanks for the info. My engine is a 2010 Mercruiser Alpha One V6 205.

It is a new engine for this old boat. It was installed in so tight and deep I cannot reach around to find the stop cocks for draining water from the block. This is why I asked about just displacing water with antifreeze. Can’t reach oil filter either—-installed under side of engine.

Remove the portions of boat preventing access

Or move to south Florida (it even freezes in Texas and North Florida)

 

[tpenfield]

I thought we weren't allowed to speak of winterization until October 1st?

 

[jamcaezza]

Unless you have a several hundred gallon tank and the correct AF to do this like big marinas do , dont. Drain it first. you have to get to either oil pan rail to drain the block, under each exhaust manifold to drain them, and the big J shaped hose on circ pump in front of block. Some hoses have a drain some are simply removed to drain.

While not easy , and best done by young skinny guys (not me...) it usually can be done, otherwise find a mechanic who can

Thanks!

 

[jamcaezza]

You'll find some folks that do feed 5 gals of anti-freeze thru the muffs at idle and get away with it but it's not fool proof. If the thermostat doesn't open you will have a busted engine but your manifolds will still be ok to use on your next new engine...

I feel your pain as my engine is buried as well. I have put ball valves in the block drains and water line to the steering cooler. Can't comment on how well it will work yet but I'm gonna chance it...

Thanks! I knew there could be other options. Last year I had the guy who stores my boat do it. And I know for sure he didn’t tinker with the plugs. Just ran antifreeze through muffs.

Just for reference I am Clayton, NY—-the heart of the Thousand Islands.

Unless you have a several hundred gallon tank and the correct AF to do this like big marinas do , dont. Drain it first. you have to get to either oil pan rail to drain the block, under each exhaust manifold to drain them, and the big J shaped hose on circ pump in front of block. Some hoses have a drain some are simply removed to drain.

While not easy , and best done by young skinny guys (not me...) it usually can be done, otherwise find a mechanic who can

Thanks. Here are photos. Can I disassemble parts that are in the way?

 

[dubs283]

You ought to be able to reach block plugs and manifold hoses from the front of the engine. It's just a 4.3, stuff isn't that far back

 

[Bondo]

Just for reference I am Clayton, NY—-the heart of the Thousand Islands.

Ayuh,... It appears that the jump seats could be pulled outa the way,.....
Though I agree with dubs, you oughta be able to reach 'em from the front of the motor,....

Clayton is a place I've spent alota time at,....
Worked in Jeremy Kellogg's yard, on Purcell boats,....
Donny Bedore, is a Great friend,..... used to own Don's Prop Shop,.....
Also Rex, who now runs the prop shop over at Rick's marina in Spicer Bay,....