Winterizing/propane Question

[chucky112233]

Hello all.. Want to thank eveyone in advance.. I just recently got a 1980 Sea Ray 245 and have done all that i know to winterize..When i went to winterize it i ran coolant through and had it spitting out the back but none came from the prop..I ran it for prob 3-5 min. Should i be concerned?(mercruiser outdrive).. All plugs and drains all have coolant in them..Second question it has a kenyon propane stove with the main feed line running under one of the seats in the cabin.. It has a flare fitting that is it.. What tank size should i need?I take it i need a regulator too.. Also it does not seem real safe if it has a leak.. Maybe run one of the small camping tanks and disconnect when not in use?I dont see a spot for a propane locker and that is a long difficult line to run from the swim platform up.. Also the boat have just a portable potti in it,i think you have to carry the whole thing out to dump it,,i had a friend give me a toilet that has a storage tank and is ment to be pumped out.. I have never owned either.. Whitch is better? I would have to install the pumpout one with i would imagine would not be 5 min... Thanks to all!!

 

[JCF350]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

Just drain the cooling system (and fresh water tank if you have one) for winterizing.

As to the propane system. Make it go away!!

If it not already equipped get a porta pottie where the bowl separates from the tank underneath it. Drain this for winterizing also.

 

[dmcb]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

Get a service manual for your engine/outdrive. It will show you how to winterize. Follow it exactly or save for a new engine in the spring.
You need to do more than just drain your fresh water system. All lines must be blown out or pink antifreeze ran through them.
The antifreeze method is done at the pump. The hot water heater is usually drained and bypassed for this. Make a short hose to attach to the in fitting of the pump and attach to a jug of pink stuff.
Open each faucet until it comes out.
This way you don't have the pink stuff in your water tank to have to flush out in the spring.
Don't forget the shower drain if you have one. Pour pink stuff in it and turn on the pump.
The other drains are direct and require no winterizing.
What you have done to the engine is asking for trouble. Get the book and follow it or get it professionally done.
The problem with what you have done is the theromostat. If it didn't open, or cold antifreeze hits it and it closes, part of your engine will not be protected with antifreeze.
Which part? You will know in the spring.
Get rid of the propane. Propane is heavier than air and will settle in the bilge if there is a leak.
That can go boom.
Get a butane stove. They are available for about $20 and work great. If you have a flea market near you, they likely will have them.
Gonna pass (pun not intended) on the pot advise.
Here is a link on the Butane stove.

http://www.amazon.com/2007-Deluxe-Butane-Burner-Stove/dp/B000BVC4NY
Doug

 

[chucky112233]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

o>k thanks guys i didnt tell you i ran the boat for maybe 15 min on tap water before i shut it off and instantly added the coolant and ran it on coolant.. I am gonna take out the thermostat and fill that way again just to be sure.. I have the original manual and it says basically remove the drains,let water flow out,remove thermostat and fill with coolant... But what does worry me is that propeller thing,my other boat a short period of time water came out of the prop,it is a small 140 hp too,If i was to fill up the block would some not run out of the prop?I am worried about water being trapped in the outdrive,,i have drained the oil it was good no signs of water? Does the outdrive pretty much drain itself in the lower position?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

If the drive is in the full down position, it is self draining.

 

[dmcb]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

am gonna take out the thermostat and fill that way again just to be sure.. I have the original manual and it says basically remove the drains,let water flow out,remove thermostat and fill with coolant

...

It flat out boggles my mind to read this.
What makes you think you are smarter than the engineers that wrote that.
Save your money for an engine.
You are gonna need it.

Now here is what is wrong with what you said.
You remove the stat and fill it with antifreeze.
How does that get to the bottom of your engine? It won't mix. It will lay on top of the water that is above the FRIGGIN PLUGS THAT MANUAL SAYS REMOVE.
There I said it. I hope you understand you don't need to reinvent the wheel.
Just do what you are being told in that manual.

Now I can read and I usually understand what I read. You didn't say you are removing the plugs. Why?

If you can't do that, your first post in the spring will be: I have water in my oil. Where can it be coming from?
Or I have water shooting all over my bilge. It looks like it will be coming out of the block.
If you have a manual, if you can read, then why in the world do you want to risk your engine not following EXACTLY what you are reading?
It isn't giving an option on what to do (first).
I simply don't get it.
Doug

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

I actually built a bucket to use my muffs to draw pink antifreeze through the engine. (After I had it warmed up on clean water. ) Then I removed all the drains. One was plugged with sand and took quite a bit of poking to get water to trickle out.( I do think the first couple of drips might have been pure water, After that it smells like that pink stuff) Then I removed the hoses on the engine and added green antifreeze until it ran out the bottom of the drive. Pushing the pink out on the way.

Boy, if this doesn't work then there is no way to do it that will work.

My only problem is that the threads on the drains holes are shot and I had to cross tread a new brass plug back into them. The old plugs were bad because of the bad hole. There not leaking but, every year I'll have to buy new brass plugs and cross thread them into there again.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

Just re-tap the hole, then you don't have to replace the plug every year.

And it will seal better.

 

[dmcb]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

Draining is the key. Do that properly and the antifreeze is only for corrosion protection.
On some models removal of a hose or two is required to drain.
Some also have a cooler on the power steering. That hose has to be drained.
And some models have a water oil cooler.
The manual tells you all of this.
Thus, with a manual you can be sure you did it correctly.
Without it, its a guess.
One little thing forgot, one night of freezing, you need a new engine.

You can replace the plugs with radiator petcocks available at Napa or other stores. The hole is smaller but a wire will still free it and they can be removed if necessary, just like the plug. If you clean up the thread and add one, you won't disturb the thread any longer.
Someone may have used steel plugs or something to ruin the thread or its simply corrosion and a tap should clean it right up. Good idea.
Doug

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Winterizing/propane Question

Just re-tap the hole, then you don't have to replace the plug every year.

And it will seal better.

Yes, but what type of thread is the hole. There is a difference between pipe thread and standard thread. I don't have a pipe tap. And I doubt if any one around here has one that small. I live in the middle of nowhere.