winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging oil?

[craigtho]

Hello all. I am hoping you all might be able to help me! I have winterized my wave runner myself for many years but never did my 23' sea ray with 5.7 V8 merc and bravo III.

I have done the following:

1. changed engine oil and filter
2. change bravo 3 gear oil
3 . winterized stern shower and sink

Above 3 were no big deal. Here is where i have some reservations.

4. warm up engine to operating temp, switch to pink antifreeze 5 gallon self-winterize system, waited until pink came out exhaust, waited until another 2 or so gallons of pink antifreeze went through the system, then sprayed fogging oil into carburetor until engine died (several seconds, not long -- in fact, it wanted to die very quickly, so i went more stop and go with the fogging oil).

What I am supposed to do now is pull each spark plug and spray fogging oil into each cylinder, and replace the plugs. Is this worth the effort? I can easily see the plugs, or get to them. Also, if i did this to all 8 plugs, do i turn the key to chug the engine and few turn overs to distribute the fogging oil?

Both batteries are on trickle chargers. Also, I will CRC-656 the whole engine with 1 can, but not until after i do the spark plugs or not.

How difficult a job is it to remove all the spark plugs, and is this step necessary?

Am i missing any winterization items?

THANKS ALL!!! Best regards from the Jersey Shore!

 

[Don S]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

If you fogged through the carb, then no need to pull the spark plugs and spray.


If you didn't drain the engine block before running antifreeze, then you stand a good chance of a cracked block come spring.

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...-you-want-winterize-your-own-boat-358056.html

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/use-muffs-winterize-280921.html

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...s/how-winterize-your-engine-drive-178695.html

 

[craigtho]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

Don, thank you for this quote. If need be, i will re-winterize. However, i had to run on water and earmuffs to let the engine get to temperature so the termostat would open. If i kill the engine to drain the block, and then restart on the 5 gallons of antifreeze, wouldn't the engine cool off by then, and the pink stuff will get blocked by the closed thermostat?

Or is there enought time to drain the block, open the 5 gallon valve to the pink stuff, and restart the engine?

Thanks! i will look at your links right now!

If you fogged through the carb, then no need to pull the spark plugs and spray.


If you didn't drain the engine block before running antifreeze, then you stand a good chance of a cracked block come spring.

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...-you-want-winterize-your-own-boat-358056.html

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/use-muffs-winterize-280921.html

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...s/how-winterize-your-engine-drive-178695.html

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

4. warm up engine to operating temp, switch to pink antifreeze 5 gallon self-winterize system, waited until pink came out exhaust, waited until another 2 or so gallons of pink antifreeze went through the system, then sprayed fogging oil into carburetor until engine died (several seconds, not long -- in fact, it wanted to die very quickly, so i went more stop and go with the fogging oil).
..............................................

What I am supposed to do now?

.................................
Am i missing any winterization items?

THANKS ALL!!! Best regards from the Jersey Shore!

Yes......open the block and manifold petcocks and drain the block and manifolds...........or start looking for your replacement long block now and beat the "rush" next Spring.

 

[Don S]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

If you want to run antifreeze, fine, just drain the block first, then start it back up with the antifreeze mix.
The thermostat is never fully open without a load on the engine, so it only gets a very small portion of the antifreeze with that method. The rest goes to the manifolds and hoses and out on the ground, leaving the engine with mostly water, and little antifreeze.

But, if you feel good about it, great. but you can't say you wasn't warned. Doesn't cost me a dime one way or the other.

 

[craigtho]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

Don, let me ask you this:

beneath the manifolds, I have 2 blue plastic handles. I can easily remove them, and did before i winterized, but still before i ran on a hose, so the water that came out was replaced by more water before i switched to the pink 5 gallon bucket. If I go into the boat and remove both blue plastic handles, i expect pink antifreeze to come out. should i let it all drain out, or just check that it is indeed pink, and then put the blue plastic handled plugs back in? Then, after those 2, where are the other plugs that i need to remove?

Thanks!!! I heed your warnigns because i want my boat to not crack its block! That would definitely suck. I want another trouble free summer. I can absolutely remove whatever hoses and so on, but i don't know which is which, and can't find a service manual on-line.

I will absolutely follow your advice so i can relax this winter!

By the way, i have a 60 watt west marine boat dryer running, it seems to keep the bilge about 10 degrees warmer than outside. Not that it won't freeze however when it gets to 10 degrees outside. 20 degrees F is still below freezing!

If you want to run antifreeze, fine, just drain the block first, then start it back up with the antifreeze mix.
The thermostat is never fully open without a load on the engine, so it only gets a very small portion of the antifreeze with that method. The rest goes to the manifolds and hoses and out on the ground, leaving the engine with mostly water, and little antifreeze.

But, if you feel good about it, great. but you can't say you wasn't warned. Doesn't cost me a dime one way or the other.

 

[dorelse]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

I used to do the method you're describing craigtho. Mine is in my attached garage, and it rarely gets below freezing in it, so I was never terribly worried.

However, as an experiment, I ran my 5.0L up to temp on water, then ran 6 gals of antifreeze through the engine and shut it down. I then drained the block expecting to see 100% dark pink antifreeze pour out.

Here's the result. I tested it, and it came back rated at +10 degrees Fahrenheit...not -10, +10. Then I did it the right way, and it was quicker and easier too. Top jug is what I drained, bottom jug is there for comparison.

I did this mainly b/c everyone says not to do it and why (yet marine shops do it as their standard winterization practice around here), but I'm a 'show me the proof' kind of guy and tested it to share with others:

 

[craigtho]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

Dorelse, thank you and i must also say i grabbed a glass of the pink liquid that was coming out and it is indeed lighter in color than the original dark stuff, and i just now checked it because i put it into my freezer overnight, and it is stiff slush and no longer a liquid. Can you tell me how to do it "the old way", as you say? The only plugs i see on are on the bottom of the manifolds and are two blue plastic handles that i can easily remove and water does indeed drain out (this was before i winterized).

Another option would have been to use the purple -100 stuff, so if it dilutes, i'd still be OK. but i'd still be concerned all winter whether or not i had a working engine next season.

so how would i properly drain a 5.7 v8 merc and get antifreeze in there afterwards, without west marine's inherently bad bottle system?

A cracked engine block is no fun, for anyone!!! well except the guy selling someone a new engine!!!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

... If I go into the boat and remove both blue plastic handles, i expect pink antifreeze to come out. should i let it all drain out, or just check that it is indeed pink ...

Catch some of the antifreeze in a container just as it comes out of the engine.
Put the container in you freezer.
Expect it to freeze into slush.

You should be able to push the handle of a spoon into it.
If it is rock hard you need to re-winterize.

And, as the final step, drain all the antifreeze. It can be Reused next year.
Air doesn't freeze, and the antifreeze will protect the areas that didn't drain.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

you should have atleast 4 drain plugs, sometimes 5 or 6 depending on the year. mininum are 1 in each manifold, 1 on each side of the block ,about in the middle just above the oil pan, depending on the year 1 in the large hose that goes from the circ pump to the thermostat, and maybe 1 in the power steering cooler.Once you drain everything you can just pour the A/F into the motor and manifolds.
takes just about 4 Gal.

 

[dorelse]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

If I were you, I'd check out the Adults Only section, #6. Everything you need should be there.

While I can comment generally on winterizing, mine is a '78 Mercruiser 898 (Chevy 305), so I'll refrain from commenting on where all your drain points are b/c I wouldn't know for sure.

Good luck!

 

[270win]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

I'm the king of overkill....but if you just drain all the water, there is no need for antifreeze. No water = no ice. Pretty simple. If you really feel strong about it, after you drain the engine, exhaust manifolds and hoses, reconnect everything, remove the t-stat housing and fill the block/pump and a portion of the hoses with straight antifreeze.

But if you treat the fuel in the tank with stabilizer, run the engine fogging it following the instructions on the can and eventually kill it with fogging spray and drain all the water, you should be good to go next year.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

By the way, i have a 60 watt west marine boat dryer running, it seems to keep the bilge about 10 degrees warmer than outside. Not that it won't freeze however when it gets to 10 degrees outside. 20 degrees F is still below freezing!

For everyone else that thinks they can use one of these, INCLUDING space heaters, light bulbs and other types of electric heaters,

They're fine until either the power goes off, the GFI/circuit protection trips, or the kid unplugs the extension cord.

THEN, having that new longblock you purchased previously comes in pretty handy.:facepalm:

Just drain the block.

 

[craigtho]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

I will absolutely drain the block, no problem... I'm totally game. Uh... How do i do it? Does anybody have a service manual they can email me, or private message me? The boat is a 1992 sea ray 23' with a 5.7 merc Bravo 3. However, the boat originally came with a 4.3 V6 alpha 1, and somebody along the way upgraded it, to my gratitude But, I don't know the year of the engine. Where can i find the plate with the info? I'll get into the bilge tomorrow and return with the info! Thanks all!!!

For Dorelse, where can i find this section? Maybe you could post me a link? Thanks again!
"If I were you, I'd check out the Adults Only section, #6. Everything you need should be there."

 

[270win]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

I will absolutely drain the block, no problem... I'm totally game. Uh... How do i do it? Does anybody have a service manual they can email me, or private message me? The boat is a 1992 sea ray 23' with a 5.7 merc Bravo 3. However, the boat originally came with a 4.3 V6 alpha 1, and somebody along the way upgraded it, to my gratitude But, I don't know the year of the engine. Where can i find the plate with the info? I'll get into the bilge tomorrow and return with the info! Thanks all!!!

For Dorelse, where can i find this section? Maybe you could post me a link? Thanks again!
"If I were you, I'd check out the Adults Only section, #6. Everything you need should be there."

So you aren't even sure what year the engine is? Is it carbureted or fuel injected?

The manifolds have drain petcocks on them, the risers have plugs to pull, and the block will have petcocks on both sides, one is in front of the starter, the other is above the oil pan but below the freeze plugs in the block. Remove the hoses from the exhaust manifolds and water pumps and drain them...

 

[270win]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

You need one of these, iboats sells them and you can probably have it in your hands by the weekend. Money well spent!

 

[Don S]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

Don't waste your money on the those worthless aftermarket manuals. Get the proper OEM service manual, then you will have something worthwhile. But first you need to find the serial number of your engine. It should be located on a tag riveted to the block, just above and aft of the starter.
Boatinfo - The library, containing manuals, brochures and other technical documents from the last hundred years!

If you want to use the running method to fill the block with antifreeze, just drain the block (those blue plugs one on each side of the engine) and empty the big hose on the engines circulation pump. Also drain the manifolds. Now hook up the muffs with your 5 gallons of antifreeze and start the engine. It will fill it back up with your AF
Or, after draining, you remove the thermostat housing and fill the block with AF.

 

[270win]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

Yes, the OEM manuals are much better, but I don't see a DIY overhaul in this guys future and right now he has nothing to guide him.

Also, if he restarts the engine he'll want to fog it again.

 

[dorelse]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

Here's a link to the 'Adults Only' section. Its at the top of this forum...I didn't see it right off either:

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...tdrives/adults-only-no-exceptions-288430.html

 

[Don S]

Re: winterizing merc 5.7 V8 - do i need to remove each spark plugs and spray fogging

Yes, the OEM manuals are much better, but I don't see a DIY overhaul in this guys future and right now he has nothing to guide him.

There is a heck of a lot more information in the OEM manual than how to overhaul it. There is also exact draining procedures, along with pictures of the cooling system.\
Here is one page out of the manual for 93-97 5.7 engines. There are more pages for specific setups for those years.