1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

[WAVENBYE2]

Ok I drained all the water out of the two block freeze plugs and drained the hoses, I was very tired and spaced out the two under the exhaust manifolds, The fresh water cooling system was drained also. So I still need to pull off the exhaust manifolds to get to the two freezeplugs on the engine under the exhaust manifolds too??

 

[Don S]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

You don't remove freeze plugs to drain anything.

You remove the drain plugs.


Download the OEM service manuals out of the Adults only sticky and read. While you take your boat to a dealer to get winterized this year.

 

[JimS123]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

You don't remove freeze plugs to drain anything.

You remove the drain plugs.


Download the OEM service manuals out of the Adults only sticky and read. While you take your boat to a dealer to get winterized this year.

This is a simple task for anybody that can turn a wrench and read the manual that came with the boat in the first place. The price that the dealer charges is tanamount to highway robbery.

My 3.0 liter service manual (1984) says to drain and fill with anti-freeze. The 4.3 liter manual (2007) only says drain with no mention of going any further.

When I started the thread below I was merely asking for a clarification. In other words, are the new blue drain plugs better than the old brass plugs? Has Mercury revised the design so that the blue plugs drain more water? Or, are they simply hoping you'll crack your block to make them more money selling new ones?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

The fresh water cooling system was drained also.

Do you have a raw water cooling system or closed system? Some people call closed cooling sytems fresh water. If you really have a closed cooling system, why are you draining the blocks?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

In other words, are the new blue drain plugs better than the old brass plugs? Has Mercury revised the design so that the blue plugs drain more water? Or, are they simply hoping you'll crack your block to make them more money selling new ones?

No,.... Absolutely Not...

I'd pull 'em,+ replace with good ole Brass drain plugs...

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

You don't remove freeze plugs to drain anything.
You remove the drain plugs.
Download the OEM service manuals out of the Adults only sticky and read. While you take your boat to a dealer to get winterized this year.

Why would I take the boat to the dealer when I didn't even but it from the dealer? I thought thats what this site was for!! Boaters helping boaters, I'll do it myself Thanks.I did follow the recommendations in Man #18 sect. 1B pages 21-23 and it only says the two that I already drained I was asking about the two under the manifolds that aren't in the manual.??

Do you have a raw water cooling system or closed system? Some people call closed cooling sytems fresh water. If you really have a closed cooling system, why are you draining the blocks?

It's a fresh water cooling system, I have been working very hard lately and trying to get the boat ready for winter too, so excuse any typos I make, My question still didn't get answered.
I meant to say the drainplugs but was reading and replied to Freeze thread, guess it was on the brain

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

fresh water cooled is more properly called closed cooling..with a heat exchanger...if that's what you have....there is NO need to drain the block...it's supposed to have antifreeze in it...and the manifolds will too if it's a FULL system...but they'll have water in em if it's a HALF system...so what do you have?

You only have to drain the block...if you have raw water cooling...NO heat exchanger....

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

Yes it's a raw water cooling system, I drained the block from the two brass
drainplug where it shows it in the manual. I remembered after I did the winterizing about the two under the manifolds, I had to pull the manifold on the port side because of a leak I had before and if my memory serves me correctly I could swear there are drain plugs under the manifolds too?? So I am now wondering if I need to pull the manifolds too to drain those plugs also?? If not then I am good to go.

 

[tractoman]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

I just did mine this weekend. 2 brass plugs on either side of the block, two plastic wing nut plugs in the elbows below the manifolds, large hose from the water pump and power steering cooling hose aft of the cooler itself on the port side. Ream the holes with a stiff wire and make sure there is no rust plugging them. If the manifolds don't have the wing nut plugs, take the hoses off the elbows. Don't remove the manifolds to drain anything. It should take about 15 minutes.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

Then I am good to go, did all the above. used an ice pic that has been cut down to about 3" for the hole boring works great once you remove the brass plugs. Everything else is good to go and I am done then, Thanks!!

 

[JimS123]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

Why would I take the boat to the dealer when I didn't even but it from the dealer? I thought thats what this site was for!! Boaters helping boaters, I'll do it myself Thanks.I did follow the recommendations in Man #18 sect. 1B pages 21-23 and it only says the two that I already drained I was asking about the two under the manifolds that aren't in the manual.??

It's a fresh water cooling system, I have been working very hard lately and trying to get the boat ready for winter too, so excuse any typos I make, My question still didn't get answered.
I meant to say the drainplugs but was reading and replied to Freeze thread, guess it was on the brain

I didn't get my question answered either, just some snide remarks like I was a rookie. I've been wrenching boats for over 40 years and didn't know I was doing it wrong.

So.....once again....my previous owners manuals said remove the brass plugs to drain, then fill with anti-freeze. The new (2007) boat owners manual says to open the blue plugs but NOES NOT SPECIFY anti-freeze. Is it no longer necessary?

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: 1 More 4.3L winterizing ???

Anti Freeze was never necessary, just an option. Draining the block and manifolds is always your best bet.. Along with power steering coolers or whatever else your engine has..

Anyone ever start their engine with all of the plugs out to clean the block out? I tried that this fall and it blew crap all over the place so I guess it cleaned everything out well! Even found a piece of an old impeller sticking out of one of the drains. Still probed the holes though. Of course you could over heat the engine/exhaust if you left it running. I didnt let it run for more than 15 or so seconds.