Can I winterize a non-running engine?

[jgoeden]

I have a Mercruiser 170 (inline-4, 3.7L) that the last time on the lake I believe the starter seized and we ended up losing ALL electrical power. We literally went from having full power one second, to NO power (not even a blip on the horn) the next second. Don't know what I shorted but I shorted something. Had a good amount of water in the transom (5-10 gal) when it happened.

Anyways money is tight and I need to get it winterized but I don't have $200 for a new starter PLUS $150 for winterization so I was hoping to just winterize and mess with next spring.

Reading up on winterizing it looks like you have to have a running engine.

Any insight?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Howdy,


Well, you're "half" winterized already.... You have a closed cooled engine that already has (or should have) 50/50 Anti-freeze in it.

You will need to drain the raw water side of your heat exchanger and ensure that any other raw water areas are free of water.

You can remove the spark plugs and spray fogging oil (or any light oil) into the cyls while you turn the engine manually (with a wrench etc).


Cheers,


Rick

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Ok great! Do you think with my engine that I could winterize myself pretty easily? If so, then I don't have to spend the money on winterization (except supplies) and buy a starter for $150 and do everything myself...

Does me having a closed system make winterization easier?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

You have one of the easiest engines to winterize. The engine does not have sea water inside of it, it has or should have an antifreeze mix. You do not have to drain the engine unless there is water. Should check to make sure


Here is a link for that starter:
http://www.motorcityreman.com/memaoe5050502.html

You have a round heat exchanger on the port side of the engine which will have to be drained. It receives the seawater from the outdrive. There are 2-drains on the bottom aft end of the exchanger. The fore plug is the antifreeze side, the aft plug is the seawater side. This must be drained, remove the plug to drain it. Also the power steering cooler needs to be disconnected and drained of the seawater. Here is the instructions from the book.
Eric

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Don't forget the fuel.....Should treat it with stabilizer....Also you will want to change the gear oil in event there is water in the case...Dont want to have water freeze and crack the leg

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Ok great! Do you think with my engine that I could winterize myself pretty easily? If so, then I don't have to spend the money on winterization (except supplies) and buy a starter for $150 and do everything myself...

Does me having a closed system make winterization easier?

As indicated above, it's absolutely easier!

I winterize mine by running it and sucking 50/50 anti-freeze up into the raw water side using a tub,hose and flush adapter.

I use a large enough tub to hold about 4 or 5 gallons. I put the container on the swim step (it only has to be high enough to be above the raw water pump) and use a hose long enough to get a siphon going. I have a small plastic valve on the end of the hose where it connects to the flush adapter (muffs) that I can close so I don't "lose" the siphon........

I get the siphon going and then close the valve. (when you open the valve, you prime the raw water pump because the supply container is higher than the pump) After you start the engine you can either put the tub under the transom to catch most (or all) of the discharge water or you can use a separate container as long as you shut it off before the supply container runs out!

I put the container under the transom and I spill little or no discharge.... ........ I can run it until the discharge water starts getting hot because it keeps recirculating (don't run it too long or you WILL over heat everything!!!).

Mine has a power steering cooler and separate oil cooler that is not all that easy to get to for draining. drawing AF up into the raw system eliminates the need to drain anything (DO still lower the outdrive so it can completely drain.)

Use the money you save to buy an OEM Mercury Service manual that covers your particular engine and drive.

Someone here should be able to point you to an online place you can download one but I always like to have the paper one.


Cheers,

Rick

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

All you have to do is check the engine antifreeze (should be about 50%), then pull the aft (seawater) plug under the heat exchanger, and check that the power steering cooler drains. Pull the hose if necessary. That is it! Done! No antifreeze needed. After all drained, put the plug back in with a little NAPA (permitex) aviation sealant, and put the hose back on the p/s cooler and you are freeze protected. Eric's post #4 tells you all you need to know! Good luck.

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Man you guys rock!!! Sorry it took so long to reply but all that is great info!

I'm pretty confident that I'll winterize it myself. I also don't have power steering so that's one less step.

Man, I'm excited now! I do have a service manual, but the boat is at dad's right now and I haven't had a chance to look through the manual (in the glovebox). Anyways, I've read on how to change the O/D oil but can't remember what type of oil to use. I remember NON-DETERGENT but what are the numbers?

Thanks guys!!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Man you guys rock!!! Sorry it took so long to reply but all that is great info!

I'm pretty confident that I'll winterize it myself. I also don't have power steering so that's one less step.

Man, I'm excited now! I do have a service manual, but the boat is at dad's right now and I haven't had a chance to look through the manual (in the glovebox). Anyways, I've read on how to change the O/D oil but can't remember what type of oil to use. I remember NON-DETERGENT but what are the numbers?

Thanks guys!!

Forget NON-detergent.....ALL oil is "detergent" in some form or another....

If you want to use what Merc suggests, get Mercury HP Gear oil. Some Walmart stores carry it!


Some like Mobil 1 Synthetic gear oil.

And some others like other Marine type gear oils like Royal Purple, super Secret Snake juice etc etc etc ....

A local Napa dealer down the road sells Amsoil Marine gear oil and it seems a bit cheaper than the Mercury HP gear oil and I don't have to drive 40 miles to get it!


JUST CHANGE IT EVERY YEAR in accordance with the service manual (get a service manual) during winterization when you do all the other "stuff"



Cheers,


Rick

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Thanks Rick, I have a NAPA too that sells marine stuff, so I'll just check there.

Now I have to find an "oil pump" to pump in the oil from the bottom drain of the O/D. I'm sure this site has them, I'll get to ordering!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Thanks Rick, I have a NAPA too that sells marine stuff, so I'll just check there.

Now I have to find an "oil pump" to pump in the oil from the bottom drain of the O/D. I'm sure this site has them, I'll get to ordering!

It is a good idea to replace the drain screw gaskets whenever you drain the oil from the outdrive. Like this: http://www.iboats.com/Drain-Screw-G...1161144--**********.619523579--view_id.172036 NAPA should have both the pump and gaskets. Good luck.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Now I have to find an "oil pump" to pump in the oil from the bottom drain of the O/D.

No. It'll drain from the force of gravity (Newtons first law!). (you may have to suck out the engine oil via the dip-stick tube though if you cannot drain it.....)

When you replace the drive oil, you will pump it in via the drain port at the bottom (in accordance with the appropriate Mercury Service manual) using a simple pump that screws onto the top of the gear oil container.

The marine models have plastic threads that will screw into the drain hole on the drive so you don't have to hold it in place......

 

[fmalott]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

make sure you drain heat exchanger like in post 7 and replace gear lubricant to make sure there is no water in gears

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

No. It'll drain from the force of gravity (Newtons first law!). (you may have to suck out the engine oil via the dip-stick tube though if you cannot drain it.....)

When you replace the drive oil, you will pump it in via the drain port at the bottom (in accordance with the appropriate Mercury Service manual) using a simple pump that screws onto the top of the gear oil container.
QUOTE]

Yeah that's what I meant, drain from gravity, but then you replace the drive oil from the bottom drain, not the top vent, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

No. It'll drain from the force of gravity (Newtons first law!). (you may have to suck out the engine oil via the dip-stick tube though if you cannot drain it.....)

When you replace the drive oil, you will pump it in via the drain port at the bottom (in accordance with the appropriate Mercury Service manual) using a simple pump that screws onto the top of the gear oil container.
QUOTE]

Yeah that's what I meant, drain from gravity, but then you replace the drive oil from the bottom drain, not the top vent, if I'm not mistaken.

Um.....you're not mistaken.

Note above, I said the pump screws into the top of the gear oil container.

The pump discharge nozzle, screws into the drain port of the drive

It is just a simple plastic pump that has threads to go on the top of the 1qt or 1 gallon container etc.....

Here's an example:

some of them don't have threads on the nozzle and you have to hold it in place while you're pumping the oil in.

 

[jason32038]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Get an antifreeze tester..they're only a few bucks ..if it's good then leave it in over the winter and change it before the season starts.

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Ok guys, well I drained the gear old, it came out a dark dirty green about THIS color.

The book says it should take 32 oz., so I bought a quart of NAPA gear oil, pumped it from the bottom and emptied the whole bottle and none ever came out of the top vent hole.

Should I buy more oil and continue until it comes out the top, or should I go with the book and just leave the 32 oz. in there? Does it really matter? I guess I'd rather have more than less...but I'm not sure.

Thanks,

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Should I buy more oil and continue until it comes out the top...

Yes!!!!!

 

[jgoeden]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

Thanks Terry! I ended up putting probably 16 more oz. in there! Don't know what the discrepancy is, but she's good now!

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Can I winterize a non-running engine?

That your outdrive gear oil is a dark green color is GOOD. That means no water present.