Verify I have found all drain points

[SALT1961]

Hello All,
It has been quite a while since my original post back on Jul 1, 2020. Things have changed and I think for the better. Last time I posted I was looking for advice on my 1983 Starcraft CSS181B w/ OMC 3.8L Stringer Drive - What would you do? Well I am embarrassed to say I never got around to getting the old girl back in the water. I still have her.

Now, on to today. Last spring my wife said were were not going another summer without a boat. ALRIGHT WIFE! So the search started and we ended up with a 2006 Tracker Marine Tahoe 205 with a MerCrusier 4.3L MPI Motor Number OW388913 Sterndrive Number OW830197.

The boat is overall in really good shape and we had a great time this summer cruising the lakes and doing lots of tubing and skiing. It was a hot summer here in Texas with many 100+ days and getting out on the lake was an excellent way to beat the heat.

Well the cold weather is here and it is time put her up for the season/winterize.

I did my research here and on the internet and I have the original owners manual. It looked like I had a Single Point Drain and so I started to do the work. Ran the engine up to temp/160'. Well first weird thing is that the blue handled rod was not in the place on the engine like it should have been. It was stored under one of the seats. So I attempted to insert it into the location where it looks like it belonged but it seemed way to long. The red threaded part of the rod would not even engage in the tube on the upper part of the engine. It almost seemed like the water distribution housing was stuck in a way open position. Well not to daunted I did follow the back up manual procedure of removing the blue drain plug in the water distribution housing and immediately followed up with removal of the plug in the thermostat housing and the water started to drain. I was thinking WOW this the coolest easiest fastest best way ever to drain/winterize EVER! BUT - I am not one to believe in something that is too good to be true and I wondered about why the handle would not fit so I started to dig into internet and found out the real true about the Single Point Drain being a known Block Cracker.

After my research I determined the best thing to do was to verify that the tubes and drain ports were not clogged. I pulled loosened the hose clamps on the manifolds and pulled the hoses. Nothing came out there. Then I reached in and disconnected the hoses to the block using the quick disconnect and guess what, water started flowing. I got a small screw driver and started to dig around the output and more water and small particles came out. I did this to both sides for several minutes each until no more water ran. WHEW that could have spelled disaster.

So YEAH for the skeptical team. Always good to check twice.

Now I have to ask, what did I miss?

From what I could find these are the places on my year/make/model that need to be drained. Am I missing any? The only thing I can seem to think I missed is the Cool Fuel Box but that looks like a large hose directly connected to the water distribution housing.

The other thing that has me wondering is what is actually up with the water distribution housing and why did the blue handled rod for activation of drain not even come close to fitting in? Maybe the previous owner changed out the housing to a one that does not use the rod? Is that a thing that is known available?

I did see that there is a hack/change/fix where I can add pet cocks to the engine block ports, cap the manifold hose connections and replace the the housing with some copper tubes. Is that still the recommended long term fix?

Any and all input in feed back/answers will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

SALT1961

 

[Bondo]

I did see that there is a hack/change/fix where I can add pet cocks to the engine block ports, cap the manifold hose connections and replace the the housing with some copper tubes. Is that still the recommended long term fix?

Ayuh,..... That's Correct,.....

If you have P/S, there is the cooler mounted in the in-coming from the drive hose, somewhere,.....
I donno yer particular motor set-up,..... some are under the portside motor mount, some further aft,....
Also, pull the big hose off the bottom of the circulating water pump, which usually hides another quart of water,....

 

[Scott06]

There are five places on the block, I think you have most of them. they may have hoses hooked up in your case. Yes I would rip off the single point drain and put individual plugs in
The drain points are -
One on each oil pan rail
One under each exhaust manifold
The J hose on the circulating pump, mine has a drain plug in it, otherwise pull off the hose at lowest point.

You also probably have a plug or need to pull the hose off the cool fuel set up and PS cooler which is likely on top of the flywheel cover.

I had also read about folks with 4.3 vortec engines removing a plug from the intake cross over front, not sure if it traps water in there

 

[SALT1961]

Thank you for the info. In think I have them all. As for the water pump for my engine I was of the understanding that there was the impeller n the out drive and then the one on the front of the engine like a car. Is there another one I am not aware of?

 

[Bondo]

Thank you for the info. In think I have them all. As for the water pump for my engine I was of the understanding that there was the impeller n the out drive and then the one on the front of the engine like a car. Is there another one I am not aware of?

Ayuh,..... The impeller pump in the drive feeds water to the motor, 'n manifolds,......
The circulating pump on the front of the motor circulares water through the block, whenever the t-stat allows it too,....

 

[LisaKaufman]

Good job on the winterization steps! If the blue-handled rod doesn't fit, the previous owner may have made modifications. Considering the petcock and copper tube solution is wise for long-term reliability.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Good job on the winterization steps! If the blue-handled rod doesn't fit, the previous owner may have made modifications. Considering the pet **** and copper tube solution is wise for long-term reliability.

the blue handle is only on mercruisers. the OP has an OMC stringer.

 

[Scott06]

the blue handle is only on mercruisers. the OP has an OMC stringer.

post #1 second paragraph -was working on a stringer now has 2006 Tahoe/ 4.3 MPI

 

[nola mike]

.

I had also read about folks with 4.3 vortec engines removing a plug from the intake cross over front, not sure if it traps water in there

I've removed this a few times and had zero water come out. The cavity in the manifold is large as well with plenty of room for expansion. Fwiw merc doesn't mention pulling this plug either.

 

[RobertWozniak]

There are five places on the block, I think you have most of them. they may have hoses hooked up in your case. Yes I would rip off the single point drain and put individual plugs in
The drain points are -
One on each oil pan rail
One under each exhaust manifold
The J hose on the circulating pump, mine has a drain plug in it, otherwise pull off the hose at lowest point.

You also probably have a plug or need to pull the hose off the cool fuel set up and PS cooler which is likely on top of the flywheel cover.

I had also read about folks with 4.3 vortec engines removing a plug from the intake cross over front, not sure if it traps water in there



Good job on the winterization steps! If the blue-handled rod doesn't fit, the previous owner may have made modifications. Considering the petcock and copper tube solution is wise for long-term reliability. if you're searching for a trustworthy and knowledgeable essay writer https://www.grabmyessay.com/ is the only company you need to consider. This platform regularly produces work of the highest calibre by the deadline. Believe me when I say that their talented writers have changed the game in my academic career by consistently producing excellent essays. Try now for unmatched help with your writing projects! Don't hesitate!

Thanks for the advice sir, I will keep it in my mind. I appreciate you for your time

 

[04fxdwgi25]

If you have a power steering and / or oil cooler, pull the 1/8" NPT plug from bottom of it, too