coolant???In an Outboard???

[Big-HE]

I gotta Johnson 85HP 1973, should I be adding coolant were the thermostat is. I just ordered my book and haven't gotten it yet. How do I even get to the thermostat?

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

NO...the engine uses the water that the boat runs in to keep it cool......pickup is gill/vents jus' below cavitation plate.

 

[sloopy]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

watch it fly boy! <br /><br />Hi, welcome to the board big-he , I'm sloopy the most disrespected member, outboards are raw water cooled they use an impellor(replace it) to pump water into the power head and into the thermostat and out the other end, this is sopost to cool the motor, the thermostat opens at a certan temp, so you don't run it at an unfriendly temp!, in the winter, you poor anti freez down the thermostat opening, this way, water will not expand and freez in the winter, when you start the motor again after winter, you start the outboard and the anti freez is rejected you don't run the motor with antifreez, only for 3 minutes if you have a way to push it into the motor while running, and injecting fogging oil

 

[Big-HE]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

thanx...got it

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

Sloopy...I've seen people put (run through) RV antfreeze with a syphon set up on the ear muff. I have never done this and have not had a problem. I store the motors down and let them drain. Maybe I should do this?

 

[sloopy]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

you can, I have an ignoying habbit o taking apartmy motor is in the winter don't ask. you can do that, they evin sell pumps but I like to poor it in trouht the themostat

 

[DJ]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

Big He,<br /><br />You DO NOT need to run coolant (anti freeze) through your engine before you store it in freezing temps.<br /><br />Outboard engines are self draining, IF, they are stored in a vertical postion.<br /><br />If you are not sure when your water pump (impeller) was serviced, I would replace it soon.

 

[Terry H]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

I agree with djohns...up north here we just store in running position and they drain just fine...never seen a problem with an outboard stored this way...in fact I run my boat all winter without any special care...just a Thought

 

[almost retired again]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

Hey Big-He,<br />I agree with Dejohns;You don't need anti-freeze in an outboard. I've had to take a torch to melt the ice in and around the lower leg to get an outboard started so I could get it to exaust. Once it was started I could then use the boat to break up the ice in the marina area.

 

[jermelger]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

I disagree and would recommend anyone put RV antifreeze in their motor to winterize it. I repair boats throughout life and have run across water that had remained in the pump area and cracked the housing. Not a huge problem since that part is ussually replaceable, but a hassle none the less and may one time be some other part that will ruin the engine. RV Antifreeze is just a couple of dollars takes about an hour to complete, and your boat motor is ussually more than $4000, why take the chance.

 

[Rick.]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

I have never used antifreeze for that purpose and never thought about it. I can see where you could crack a water pump housing though. But something that is 1000 times more important is to open the drain on your gear case to insure there is no water present. If there is and it freezes the end result will be very expensive. Rick.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

been running them for years and the only thing I do to store them is put a little stabil in the gas on the last run. No need to use antifreeze. My guess is the one's that did freeze were not stored properly. Store them upright just like they would be on the boat they will drain fine.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

I don't know anyone that uses anti freeze for winter. Stored in running position they drain just fine.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

There is a slight possibility that some water will remain in the impeller area, after the motor drains. If it freezes, it *might* find something hard to push against. Mostly it will push the impeller which will give. If you spin the motor 1 turn after it has completely drained, you will eliminate this unlikely problem.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

We have a 12 month boating "season" where I live, but we do get occassional cold snaps in the winter, including periods of freezing weather. I don't winterize my motors at all - they simply remain hanging on the back of the boat, ready to be used when the weather warms up. I've never had a problem with anything freezing up or breaking, due to cold weather.

 

[Mas]

Re: coolant???In an Outboard???

But something that is 1000 times more important is to open the drain on your gear case to insure there is no water present. If there is and it freezes the end result will be very expensive. Rick.

Good reason to always change the LU lube with fresh for winter storage...to check and to get any water out before winter and corrosion sets in.

MAS