Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

[hhornig]

Mercruiser Specifications
Model MCM 4.3 Liter
262 CID
Engine S/N 0L381323

Firing Order 1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Timing 10 Degrees BTDC
Spark Plug AC-MR43LTS
Gap 0.045
MAX W.O.T 4400-4800
Idle Neutral 650
Engine Rotation (LH) Left hand

Drive
Mercruiser 181R
Drive S/N 0L477549
Transom S/N 0L566358

Alpha One Generation II???



Last year I purchased a 1999 boat with a 4.3 Mericruiser and I was going to winterize it, but ran out of time. The local boat shop winterized it and changed my oil and filter-$200. That was a bit much for this tight-wad. They pulled the drain plugs (5), and removed a 1/2" pipe plug on the front end of the manifold below the thermostat and pumped a small amount of anti-freeze in there. I am planning on doing the same thing. Any suggestions?

Is anyone familiar with this drain plug and does it make it unnecessary to remove the thermostat?

Is my drive an Alpha One Generation II?

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

Mercruiser Specifications
Model MCM 4.3 Liter
262 CID
Engine S/N 0L381323

Firing Order 1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Timing 10 Degrees BTDC
Spark Plug AC-MR43LTS
Gap 0.045
MAX W.O.T 4400-4800
Idle Neutral 650
Engine Rotation (LH) Left hand

Drive
Mercruiser 181R
Drive S/N 0L477549
Transom S/N 0L566358

Alpha One Generation II???



Last year I purchased a 1999 boat with a 4.3 Mericruiser and I was going to winterize it, but ran out of time. The local boat shop winterized it and changed my oil and filter-$200. That was a bit much for this tight-wad. They pulled the drain plugs (5), and removed a 1/2" pipe plug on the front end of the manifold below the thermostat and pumped a small amount of anti-freeze in there. I am planning on doing the same thing. Any suggestions?

Is anyone familiar with this drain plug and does it make it unnecessary to remove the thermostat?

Is my drive an Alpha One Generation II?

Thanks

Ayuh,.... I ain't seen that pipe plug on a Mercruiser,... only Volvos....

Bein' a believer in Air Don't Freeze, I don't pull the t-stat anyways,...

Pull All the drain plugs, 'n prod the holes to drain it good, 'n No, no need for antifreeze in the intake, especially if ya pull the pipe plug...

The Gen.II Alphas came out in '91, so, If original, yer's is so...

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

There is a pipe plug there, but it's for use for a bypass hose from the circulation pump on engines with fresh water cooling. Should be no need to pull it for anything.

Removing the hose from the power steering cooler is usually a lot easier than removing the plug (if it has a plug, some don't)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

There is a pipe plug there, but it's for use for a bypass hose from the circulation pump on engines with fresh water cooling. Should be no need to pull it for anything.

Removing the hose from the power steering cooler is usually a lot easier than removing the plug (if it has a plug, some don't)

Dohhh,... Didn't think of the 1 on top,...

With the Volvo threads lately, that square 1 in the forward lower starboard corner was on the brain cell...

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

No, it's on the front of the manifold. The fitting is item 31.

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

One thing I would suggest, since this is your first time, drain the engine like you normally would. Then pull that plug out of the manfold and make sure it's drained. It's possible you don't have the OEM manifold on there for some reason, if it's empty, you don't have to worry next year.

Volvo manifolds had a low spot in the water passage, but never heard of it being a problem on Mercs.

 

[hhornig]

Re: Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

I am 500 miles from my boat, but when I go there later in the month I will compare it to the picture. When I was trying to find where the plug went, I searched the Seloc Manual and it didn't even show a 1/2" plug anywhere.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Winterizing Pipe Plug Question

I searched the Seloc Manual and it didn't even show a 1/2" plug anywhere.

Imagine that!

Find the Merc Manual...Here:...http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser25.html#/0 and use the Seloc as a knee pad, kindling, compost...whatever.