drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

[T0mmy]

I just picked up an 88 Bayliner Capri 1750 with an OMC 2.3 sterndrive. This is my first boat and I've been doing all the research I can to inform myself about boat ownership, particularily winterizing the engine. The boat doesn't have a manual, but I do have an owners manual shipping to me. I'm trying to at least pull all the drain plugs ASAP because I'm located in Minnesota where it's just starting to freeze. I've got the boat in the garage which is being heated until I can at least drain all water from the block. I've been looking around and have only been able to find 2 drain plugs, one on the lower side of the exhaust manifold, and one that seems to be on the block just behind the manifold plug. I'm flying blind until I get an owners manual and am looking for help. can anyone tell me where all of the plug locations are on the boat? This would be really helpful until I get the manual. I'm also changing fuel filter, oil, gear oil, and fogging it till it dies and fogging the cylinders via the spark plug holes. If there anything else I should do, please tell me. I also got a tool with the boat that is some sort of clamp with suction cups on the end with a hose fitting on one side. I have NO idea what this is for and would agian appreciate some help with what it's for. I've read the winterization posts here and on other sites and they're all pretty generic. I need specific help with my Capri 2.3 OHC engine and OMC cobra outdrive. Thank you in advance for any help.

-Tommy

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

Sounds like you found the 2 drains, should also undo the big hose at the water pump and dump it too. The tool with the cups are called "muffs" they slide onto the lower unit of the drive to fit over the water intake holes. You attach a garden hose to this and turn on the water, this will let you run the engine out of the water at home on the trailer.

 

[T0mmy]

Re: drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

Thanks for the quick reply. SO how is this thing cooled? Is there any coolant anywhere? If so where's the reservoir? I'll hop back out there and look for the water pump. If you could point me to it in case I have any problems i't sbe appreciated. I'm so glad I found this site. I've always been active on car forums of cars I've owned, so I figured the best way to learn about my boat is to join a boat forum. I can't wait till spring, since I bought the boat so late I haven't been able to really use it yet.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

You really have 2 water pumps, the raw water pump will be in your outdrive, it draws water up from the lake/river and feeds it through the transom mount and then on to the thermostat housing, you also have circulating water pump on front of the engine belt driven very similar to an auto water pump (but different, don't use an auto on a marine engine). So you suck water up from the lake pass it through to the t-stat and through the block and exhaust manifold and then out the riser ot the exhaust pipe and back into the lake. Some engines may also have a heat exchanger where the lake water comes in and cools the exchanger and goes back out again but the engine itself has antifreeze running through it. If you had one of these set ups it would be very obvious.

One last point about the outdrive water pump, as it has a rubber impeller never run or even try to start the engine without having the outdrive lowered into the water or those muffs on there and water running through it. It gets so hot so fast it can literally toast your impeller within seconds.

 

[T0mmy]

Re: drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

Yeah, I turned the engine over maybe 4-5 times without the muffs on or anything yesterday to spread the fogger in the cylinders. How can I inspect the impellar? I did find a few blow ups of the outdrive that I'm going to look through to find this. Also, what's the best way to drain all water form the outdrive itself? I can't even trim it down yet because I think it's locked in the up position somehow, and I haven't taken the time to figure out how to lower it. I'm such a boat rookie, with no manual, and no contact to ask questions, so the help here is priceless. Thanks again

 

[T0mmy]

Re: drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

Also, it definetly does not have a heat exchanger. I was reading somewhere that there are drain plugs on the exhaust elbow too. I didn't see one, and just want to know if there's always one in that location, or only on some models. Would you reccomend putting RV antifreeze in the coolant lines to get it into the block/manifold? I'm not sure if simply draining them is enough, or if I should use non-toxic coolant as well.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

You'll want to get that drive down, the best practise for I/O's is to store in the down position because the rubber bellows is stretched open in the up position and compressed when down. Also you don't want water to get into the prop cavity and sit in there and freeze. The drive water pump on Cobra's is very easy to access and replace, if you don't know when the impeller was changed last it would be good to do it niow and then you'll know. Get a manual, they have a fgood section this procedure. As for filling the lines with non-toxic antifreeze I agree but I strongly recommend you read Don S winterizing post at the top of this forum, he has put together an excellent list and does mention the antifreeze process.

 

[marunr]

Re: drain plug locations on 2.3 OMC cobra

There is a manual release for the tilt/trim. It's a screw on the bottom of the pump assembly (should be mounted on the back of the boat, port side, under the engine cover). Turn the screw counterclockwise one turn only, and the drive will lower. Re-tighten the screw. You will need the power tilt to raise it back up, so be sure you're ready for it to stay down when you do this.

You'll most likely need to replace the impellar, as Bob said. Here is a web site you should read carefully about your OMC Cobra. Don't be discouraged by it, but you'll most likely need the info when you get your boat ready in the spring.

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/
(You'll need to copy and paste the link...sorry)

Oops. I re-read your post, and maybe you just don't know how to operate the tilt? There are two black buttons on the side of the control lever. The back button will lower the drive if it's working properly and the battery is charged up.