Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

[Jimmy H.]

Hi all, I have my 86 Mercruiser 140 I/O Alpha 1 gen 1(1986) which is in a heated garage (40f+) all the time and for the most part outside daytime temps are mid 30's which I wouldn't be concerned about. BUT I've got tomorrow off and am dying to go fishing on our big lake. The forecast low tonight calls for 20 and the high tomorrow is 27. A bit colder than I would like but after coming out of the garage it would only be 20-25 minutes till I start up the motor and after that it would be warmed up until it was back in the garage. Am I still risking any potential problems with this cold of weather? My gut tells me it wouldn't be an issue but I wanted some other opinions and maybe things I may be overlooking. Thanks

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

looking forward to hearing answer on this one..........never been out when that cold.... probably fine... your motor will be happy ie- wont over heat,, with 40-50 degree water to cool it..

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

In order for the engine to be damaged, the water in the engine would have to freeze solid. Not going to happen in 25 min. At 20 degrees.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

Hi all, I have my 86 Mercruiser 140 I/O Alpha 1 gen 1(1986) which is in a heated garage (40f+) all the time and for the most part outside daytime temps are mid 30's which I wouldn't be concerned about. BUT I've got tomorrow off and am dying to go fishing on our big lake. The forecast low tonight calls for 20 and the high tomorrow is 27. A bit colder than I would like but after coming out of the garage it would only be 20-25 minutes till I start up the motor and after that it would be warmed up until it was back in the garage. Am I still risking any potential problems with this cold of weather? My gut tells me it wouldn't be an issue but I wanted some other opinions and maybe things I may be overlooking. Thanks

Ayuh,.... There are Only 3 Drain points to drain yer driveline,....

Why would ya be so lazy as to Not drain it, 'n Not take the chance of a power outage,..??

Literally, 3 to 5 minutes at the launch, 'n yer safe to Any temps,... Air don't freeze,....
The Block drain plug, the manifold drain just above it, 'n pull the Big hose off the circulatin' water pump,...
After ya lower the drive, yer Done,...

That said, the boat can be used anytime the launch is ice free enough to launch, 'n retrieve,...
I've used the loaded boat/ wagon to bust up enough ice to launch,....
'n I always Drain everything comin' back out,... twice as many drain points on my 4.3l,....

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

Thanks guys, I wasn't really thinking the water in the block would freeze that quick. I thought maybe the bellows would be too stiff to flex when I lift/lower the drive or something along those lines... And Bondo, don't call me lazy did you see the work I put into this thing!? I've monitored the garage for many years without the heat and reason I don't pull the drains is it never reached below 33 at the coldest. That being said if everything else can handle it I will play it extra safe if it's cold and start draining the plugs before I leave and after I load the boat.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

The draining is too easy to do compared to all the work you did and then have one hard freeze offset the work. In that sense not making the effort and taking the time to drain could seem lazy-ish, just sayin'

Protect the work you did and ensure you enjoy what you have assomplished for as long as possible.

Have fun on your outing!

 

[agallant80]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

Dude, you live in BC and don't drain the motor? Down here in the states a few years ago Texas got hit with a cold snap and block after block was cracked due to not draining. I have 5 plugs on mine and it take all of 3 min to do it.

 

[PS94]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

Where he lives in BC, isn't the 'REAL' BC...
It's a tropical hippy paradise where the lake used to never freeze, the women are friendly and Alberta Douchebags are plentiful!
Friend of mine has a summer place on Stellar Drive!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

The draining is too easy to do compared to all the work you did and then have one hard freeze offset the work. In that sense not making the effort and taking the time to drain could seem lazy-ish, just sayin'

Protect the work you did and ensure you enjoy what you have assomplished for as long as possible.

Have fun on your outing!

True enough just thought since it never left the warm garage I wouldn't bother.

Dude, you live in BC and don't drain the motor? Down here in the states a few years ago Texas got hit with a cold snap and block after block was cracked due to not draining. I have 5 plugs on mine and it take all of 3 min to do it.

That's crazy, for sure if my boat was ever sitting outside it would've been done the second I came home. However it never leaves the garage even if my wife wants to park in there :laugh:

 

[mr 88]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

So what happens to your warm garage when a power outage hits? Let me guess,you have a automatic backup system in place ?

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

So what happens to your warm garage when a power outage hits? Let me guess,you have a automatic backup system in place ?

NO, like I mentioned above in post #5 the garage has never gone lower than 33 at the coldest, it is attached to the house on three sides. The furnace is set at low 40's for comfort only. Regardless... Bondos last paragraph was the info I was after. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

NO, like I mentioned above in post #5 the garage has never gone lower than 33 at the coldest, it is attached to the house on three sides. The furnace is set at low 40's for comfort only. Regardless... Bondos last paragraph was the info I was after. Thanks everyone for your help.

I tend to agree with Bondo but I only remove 1/8 inch screw plug in thermostat housing ,exhaust manifold plug and open block drain when I pull out takes about 5 min not sure about loosing water pump hose as it seems like the plug in thermostat housing gives it enough air to drain most of it out on my 1987 MCM 3.0 liter .

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

I tend to agree with Bondo but I only remove 1/8 inch screw plug in thermostat housing ,exhaust manifold plug and open block drain when I pull out takes about 5 min not sure about loosing water pump hose as it seems like the plug in thermostat housing gives it enough air to drain most of it out on my 1987 MCM 3.0 liter .

Ayuh,.. Next time ya drain it,... After ya got 'er drained, pull that Big hose off the circulatin' pump,....

You'll find the loop in the hose, 'n the pump body holds back nearly a quart of water,...

On the V-motors,...
The reason it ain't a bigger problem than ya think is the tin back-cover of the pump, allows a tiny bit of expansion, when it freezes,....

 

[aerobat]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

i your special scenario nothing bad will happen .

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

Ayuh,.. Next time ya drain it,... After ya got 'er drained, pull that Big hose off the circulatin' pump,....

You'll find the loop in the hose, 'n the pump body holds back nearly a quart of water,...

On the V-motors,...
The reason it ain't a bigger problem than ya think is the tin back-cover of the pump, allows a tiny bit of expansion, when it freezes,....

Yes for sure. I have a bleeder type screw on the thermostat housing but the water doesn't go anywhere if that comes off. I removed the rad hose from the t-stat to water pump last night and at least a quart came out. As well the other three drains supplied at least a quart also. In any case thanks again everyone. Of course it is snowing now so kind of turned me off of fishing today. Tomorrow is no snow and warmer so I will give it a go then. I think today will be an online poker day
James

 

[Lou C]

Re: Can you use I/O in 20ish degree weather

I'd always drain it for the peace of mind. Allow for the un-expected.