1995 3.0 cobra coolant system.... (and hello)

[geronimotwo]

this being my first post, i do want to say hello before diving into my newb question... hello!! .... now on to the grit, lol!! is there a flow chart or diagram showing the cooling system for my engine? in addition to the outdrive impeller and internal engine water pumps, mine has the external belt drive brass pump on starboard.... my question stems from my attempting to winterize the engine today, and having loads of rv antifreeze dumping from the bottom of the sterndrive where it pivots aft of the transom... (btw, there was none coming from the prop) i have just bought the boat this fall, and it is my first sterndrive, so i am not familiar enough to know if this is normal? after reflection i do remember the previous owner saying to warm up the engine so that the thermostat would be open for the winterizing procedure.... not sure if that is the reason??

 

[matt167]

What you are trying to do is a guaranteed frozen block… all you gotta do is drain the block and manifold. Remove hoses, make sure you get all the water out. You can add antifreeze back to the block through a hose or other means if you want to… but air doesn’t freeze

 

[Scott Danforth]

Attempting to suck up antifreeze and not draining the block/head/manifold first is a guaranteed freeze busted motor

 

[geronimotwo]

What you are trying to do is a guaranteed frozen block… all you gotta do is drain the block and manifold. Remove hoses, make sure you get all the water out. You can add antifreeze back to the block through a hose or other means if you want to… but air doesn’t freeze

thanks for the tip!! but i am still wondering if the fluid in the cooling system should have an exit where the sterndrive exits the transom?

 

[Scott Danforth]

thanks for the tip!! but i am still wondering if the fluid in the cooling system should have an exit where the sterndrive exits the transom?

Idle relief ports. That is normal

 

[geronimotwo]

Attempting to suck up antifreeze and not draining the block/head/manifold first is a guaranteed freeze busted motor

oh boy.... lot's to learn... glad i am hearing this before the freeze this week!! . is it normal for the coolant to be dumping out aft of the transom like i mentioned?

 

[geronimotwo]

Idle relief ports. That is normal

ah, ok... that is good to hear.... i will try to drain the hoses, block and manifold tomorrow. besides removing the hoses, are there any tips for draining the brass belt driven waterpump? does that have a specific name?

 

[kenny nunez]

If you remove the incoming water hose that will drain any remaining water in the pump. Leaving the hose off will let the system dry out completely.
Store the drive in the down position.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I always pulled the impeller, put the cover, screws, impeller, and the drain plugs in a bag zip-tied with the key to the steering wheel