Winterize

Mayo26

Cadet
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
How do you prove that your engine wasn’t winterized properly. What makes them not blame something else
 

Mayo26

Cadet
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Jun 21, 2022
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How do you prove your boat wasn’t winterized properly. What prevents them from saying it was other factors.
 

heartstealer

Recruit
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Apr 14, 2021
Messages
5
How do you prove your boat wasn’t winterized properly. What prevents them from saying it was other factors.
Depends on what is wrong with the boat. Cracked engine due to freezing i would have to say it is on them. As far as anything else there are many factors to consider. Would help to determine if there was more information on what exactly is going on with your boat.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 28, 2013
Messages
37,836
Dealer I know keeps track of weather in the fall.-----When he get a call to winterize a boat AFTER a cold snap he takes action.------Customer brings boat in and engine is started up right then and there.-----They thoroughly check for water leaks.----Then agree to winterize ASAP.
 

Mayo26

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Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
Depends on what is wrong with the boat. Cracked engine due to freezing i would have to say it is on them. As far as anything else there are many factors to consider. Would help to determine if there was more information on what exactly is going on with your boat.
First time out after the winter it overheated. Got towed to the dock and it sounded like a faucet was running under the engine. Bilge would kick in and water would come out. No oil. Checked oil it was good didn’t see anything like metal on dipstick.
 

Mayo26

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Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
Dealer I know keeps track of weather in the fall.-----When he get a call to winterize a boat AFTER a cold snap he takes action.------Customer brings boat in and engine is started up right then and there.-----They thoroughly check for water leaks.----Then agree to winterize ASAP.
I live in Wisconsin so every fall it gets winterized.
 

muskyfins

Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 7, 2012
Messages
578
Could be as simple as a loose hose. Did you check in the engine compartment while it was running? Can you see what area water is leaking? Year? Engine?
 

ThomW

Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 8, 2016
Messages
615
Did the dealer leave the plugs out of the engine block after they winterized it? Some will drain the block, and leave plugs in a bag taped to block or in engine compartment.
 

Mayo26

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Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
Could be as simple as a loose hose. Did you check in the engine compartment while it was running? Can you see what area water is leaking? Year? Engine?
93 454 couldn’t see any water running only heard it.
 

ThomW

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Messages
615
Look in the engine compartment. Do you see any freeze plugs that popped out lying in the bottom of the compartment? Do you know where the drain plugs for the engine block are supposed to be on that motor? If so check and see if they were put back into the engine block. If it sounded like a faucet, you should be able to see where its coming from. You may need to start it on the hose for a minute and see where the water is coming from...then you will know if its something big or a simple mistake/overlook by the winterizers....
 

Mayo26

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Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
Look in the engine compartment. Do you see any freeze plugs that popped out lying in the bottom of the compartment? Do you know where the drain plugs for the engine block are supposed to be on that motor? If so check and see if they were put back into the engine block. If it sounded like a faucet, you should be able to see where its coming from. You may need to start it on the hose for a minute and see where the water is coming from...then you will know if its something big or a simple mistake/overlook by the winterizers....
Ok thanks I will see if I can find anything. It’s actually in the water yet. One other thing that happens is it starts smoking soon after it starts. It don’t even get up to temperature.
 

Bt Doctur

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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,292
One other thing that happens is it starts smoking soon after it starts. It don’t even get up to temperature.

Winterizing fogger just burning off at the initial start
 

Mayo26

Cadet
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
One other thing that happens is it starts smoking soon after it starts. It don’t even get up to temperature.

Winterizing fogger just burning off at the initial start
No it was after it overheated in fact the next day when we were going to look at the water pump.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
Did the dealer leave the plugs out of the engine block after they winterized it? Some will drain the block, and leave plugs in a bag taped to block or in engine compartment.
It would be smarter for them to tape the bag to the Steering Wheel or Throttle Lever
 

Mayo26

Cadet
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
Yup...but some shops are smarter than others! Haha...
Can these plugs not be tightened enough and come out. I have went to the same guy with this boat for six years and it just turn key and go in spring. I used it for about five hours before it overheated.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
Any Bolt/Nut not tighten to spec, can come loose. Happens all the time with Wheels
 

Mayo26

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Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
16
Any Bolt/Nut not tighten to spec, can come loose. Happens all the time with Wheels
Ok just not familiar with these in fact never heard of them. It seems like this could possibly be the problem. Which I would think would fall on who winterized it.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
Most shops will not put the Plugs back, because if there is still any puddled water in the Engine, and it were to get sloshed around while the boat was being towed to where it is stored, it will be able to drain, and not residing in the waterjackets, waiting for a Freeze
 

Rick Stephens

Admiral
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Aug 13, 2013
Messages
6,118
Ok just not familiar with these in fact never heard of them. It seems like this could possibly be the problem. Which I would think would fall on who winterized it.
I think you are under the impression that you bear no responsibility at all to make sure your boat is safe and ready to operate in the spring. I think you are sadly mistaken. Ultimately, you are the operator, the *captain* of the vessel, and everything falls to you to make sure of it safe condition. There is no such thing as a shop winterized boat being turn key ready to float in the spring. A thorough checkout is always a requirement. IMHO, you are blaming the wrong people for the shortcomings.
 
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