Winterizing Volvo 5.7

[thomasalva]

I have an older (1989) Cobalt with an AQ271C VP engine. This is my first winter, and I'm hoping to get it winterized this weekend. I've read through the winterization sticky and quite a few threads, and everyone seems to pretty much agree that draining and optionally filling with antifreeze is adequate. The AQ271C owner's manual however doesn't call for draining, but rather just "undo the cooling hose by the transom cover and insert the free end into a bucket containing fresh water". Antifreeze is then added 50/50 and then the engine is run until the mix is used up.

I'm not sure how to proceed now. Should I follow the manual or just drain it out through the cocks and hoses?

Thanks

 

[captmello]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

The problem with filling through the transum hose, just like muffs, is that you don't get the antifreeze past the thermostat and into the block.

The only way to fill the block with antifreeze, is to drain the block first at the two drains, and fill the block at the thermostat housing.

Make sure you drain the exhaust manifolds, raw water pump, Big hose on circulation pump, Any hose that may be holding water.

Personally, I drain it only. BTW, when you drain the block and mani's, stick a small screwdriver in the hole to knock off any debris that may stop the flow.

 

[thomasalva]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

Ok, I'll just plan to drain everything. I'm going to pull the thermostat housing anyway because I don't think the boat has a thermostat installed (engine never exceeded 130 or so on the lake).

Can you give me a hint on the drain locations? The engine sits pretty deep in this boat, so access is limited. I changed the impeller a couple of months ago, but it sounds like I need to pull the cover again to make sure I don't leave any water.

If I open and clear all the drains and remove every water hose, is there any chance there could be any water left standing anywhere? It sounds like it's safe to just drain everything and not refill with antifreeze.

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[Maclin]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

From my AQ271 Operator's manual, page 6 item 20...

Quote
COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
Before leaving the boat check that there are no water leaks. If there is a risk of freezing, drain the cooling water from the engine. The cooling water on the port side and on the starboard side is drained through cocks on the side of the engine block and on the exhaust pipe.

Undo the cover on the sea water pump as well. CAUTION! Close the cocks and tighten the cover before you leave the boat.

If the boat is equipped with a sea **** make sure it is also closed.
End quote

This is all I do for a seasonal layup since it is for 4 months and it is not in the water. This year I am changing the oil also, usually I do that in the spring, just my preference.


There is another section labeled "INHIBITING WHEN LAYING UP FOR THE WINTER", starts at the end of page 12 and has the recommendations you pointed out for when the boat is to be in the water for extended perionds without running, and also a dry land storage procedure for longer layups. It says it is for a seasonal layup but in my opinion it is overkill for the winter season that my boat sees in Kansas.



Now, I will translate the "The cooling water on the port side and on the starboard side is drained through cocks on the side of the engine block and on the exhaust pipe."

There are a total of 4 drain plugs, 2 on the engine and one on each exhaust manifold.

The engine block has two heavy brass drain plugs down low, one on each side, I think a 3/8 pipe fitting size with a 9/16 wrench size hex head. On mine I take the fuel filter off for easier access to that side, HAVE A TOWEL OR SOMETHING IN THE BILGE READY BEFORE THIS! The other side is easy to reach. Remove them and use a stick or small screwdriver or rod to poke up in the hole and make sure all the water can get out as there will be some scale and junk there. There should be a lot of water come out, more like quarts than cups.

There are also drain plugs on the exhaust manifolds, one on each at the back. These are large heavy brass plugs, like a 1 inch hex head size. (Please do not hold me to these wrench sizes!). They will be just barely accessible as they are between the back of the manifold and the Y-pipe tube. Remove them and poke around as best you can to make sure they drain. They are large holes so this is usually not a problem. A pint or so should some out of each manifold. If I see a lot of crud then I remove the front hose for the manifold at the thermostat housing and pour a gallon or so of water in thru a funnel to flush it some.

Also definitely crack the front cover of the raw water pump and let that all drain for a minute or 2 to finish the job. This drains all water from any hoses in front and after this pump and would also take care of the power steering cooler if equipped.

I have been leaving the drain plugs out and stored up on the intake for spring commissioning. I put the fuel filter back on just for a seal as it will be replaced also during spring commissioning. I have also been leaving the cover loose on the raw water pump.

That is my 15 minute winterization. It almost takes longer to remove the seats and engine cover

 

[thomasalva]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

Thank you very much Maclin; I appreciate all the detail. I had planned to replace the fuel filter during winterization, so that will work out nicely. I had read the "cold weather precautions" section in the manual also, but I wasn't sure it was adequate for winterization. I'm in Oklahoma, so if it works for you in Kansas I should be fine. You aren't even removing any hoses, so that's good to know also.

Thanks again

 

[captmello]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

I think you should pull the big hose off the circulation pump on the front of the motor. Otherwise you'll be holding a bunch of water in the pump.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

Capn, I am certain that opening the raw water pump cover drains all of that.

 

[captmello]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

Maclin, have a look at this photo. When I referred to the Large hose on the circulation pump, I'm referring to the hose on the left. VP part# 834906.
I don't see how this hose would drain out of the raw water pump.

I would imagine the majority of the water in the circulation pump would drain out the block drains but would still hold the water below the point it's bolted to the block and down into the large hose. Or am I missing something?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

CM, Good valid point. I have not pulled that hose during the process so I do not know if water is retained there. My boat has seen below zero temps and it still has the original hose and recirculating pump so the Volvo procedure for cold weather precautions seems to be enough though, I'm just sayin...

 

[thomasalva]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

When I do mine (hopefully this weekend), I'll drain everything else first and then pull that hose and see how much water comes out. Likely most will have drained out the pump already, but it does look like there would have to be a little left in the bottom.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

For the new volvos the manual does state to not only drain the water pump by removing the hoses (lower in the picture) but also that larger hose in the top left of the picture. There is a fair amount of water that can be held in that hose.

Cheers.

 

[thomasalva]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

I ended up with a little time last night to work on the winterization. I drained the block and exhaust and then pulled the impeller cover. Afterward, I removed the lower water pump hose. The only standing water seemed to be in the hose itself. I couldn't see any water drain from the pump at all, so it's probably safe to just leave that hose connected, but in the future I will plan to drain it as well just to be safe.

I replaced the fuel filter while I was at it, and as I suspected there is no thermostat installed. For good measure, I went ahead and flushed the hoses and block (via the thermostat port) with some RV antifreeze, but I don't think this was really necessary.

I appreciate all the suggestions. The whole process only took an hour or so, and most of that was spent fighting with the fuel filter.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Winterizing Volvo 5.7

I have an older (1989) Cobalt with an AQ271C VP engine. This is my first winter, and I'm hoping to get it winterized this weekend. I've read through the winterization sticky and quite a few threads, and everyone seems to pretty much agree that draining and optionally filling with antifreeze is adequate. The AQ271C owner's manual however doesn't call for draining, but rather just "undo the cooling hose by the transom cover and insert the free end into a bucket containing fresh water". Antifreeze is then added 50/50 and then the engine is run until the mix is used up.

I'm not sure how to proceed now. Should I follow the manual or just drain it out through the cocks and hoses?

Thanks

Glad you started this thread! I was getting ready to start one since our 1990 500B also states that you need to take the inlet water hose off and stick it in a bucket of antifreeze. Not something I would agree with but I was wanting to check with everyone.

Here is one of the greatest videos Ive seen for winterizing. This guy did an awesome job at explaining everything that Ive read over the course of a year on here in 30min.

http://www.nait.ca/flash_videos/techlife/winterize.html

I may watch it again just b/c its awesome.

Edit: And about not getting anti freeze past the thermostat, one of the first steps is to remove the thermostat and reinstall the housing.