Mercruiser winterizing

[Sparkie]

How do you know if all the water is out of the lower unit? I winterized it by doing the following: in the motor(closed system)I removed the plug from the baffel and drained water. removed hoses and blew out w/compressor. Blew out baffel. Blew out exaust(sp?). Filled all hoses and baffel with pink anti-freze. On the lower, I attached a hose to my muffs and added antifreze. I thought I was done but when I moved it into a different spot and lowered the lower unit, I had water come out.<br />Did I miss anything or was this a pocket of water sitting in the unit.<br />I gues I should go to the book store and look for the "Idiot Guide to Winterization"

 

[Firewood]

Re: Mercruiser winterizing

I currently own my first I/O, but I have noticed that the outdrive is usually removed for storage, also I believe the out drive drains out just as an outboard does? I havn't even had my I/O in the water yet so don't mind me.

 

[hondon]

Re: Mercruiser winterizing

Here is my formula for winterization. Hope it helps .I'm sure you'll get others. First ,stabilize your fuel. Follow the directions on the additve bottle and treat your fuel for your tank cappacity then fill it up. This can help reduce condesation in the tank over the winter.Then run the engine about 20 minutes to get that stabile fuel into the carb.Now with the engine warm is a good time to change engine oil but that is up to you.Next step is fogging. Follow instuctions on the storage oil can and shoot this stuff down your carb while running until you get a good head of smoke from the exhaust, then shut off quickly , remove each spark plug and give each cylinder a good shot of the oil. Then drain your block, exhaust manis, circ pump , power steering cooler on some models ,fuel cooler on some models and intake mani on some models and just leave the plugs and hoses out till next spring.Remove the speedo tube and bloow out any water puddled there and store with the drive all the way down and you should be good.

 

[hondon]

Re: Mercruiser winterizing

Slipped my mind that you were close cooled ,so only drain the heat exchanger ,p.s cooler. fuel cooler if you have one and exhsaust manis if not fresh water cooled. Same deal ,just leave the plugs out till next spring.

 

[skygrabber]

Re: Mercruiser winterizing

I thought I was done but when I moved it into a different spot and lowered the lower unit, I had water come out.<br />

<br />what's up with that?