Getting Antifreeze into Engine

[Chris1956]

Re: Getting Antifreeze into Engine

Bond-o, I do find it necessary to rod out the drain holes, however that has never allowed all the water to drain. I still get 4-6 oz from each drain, when I start to pour in the AF. This is after I have pulled all six circulation hoses off the thermostat cover. I am sorry to say, I have never seen all the water drain from the block and manifolds, simply by using the drains, and I have done this a number of times.

Maybe the residual water will evaporate, however a lot of times I winterize in mid-December, sometimes under freezing conditions, and I am unwilling to count on evaporation to eliminate the residual water, and protect the block and manifolds. I also do not dump antifreeze into the water, since I drain the system, and run the motor up to operating temperature with the muffs prior to launching it in the spring.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Getting Antifreeze into Engine

I drain it all, but still pour in RV coolant from the top to be sure. I'm not so sure that my water pump gets fully drained as it does not have a drain hole on it like some people have or have installed themselves.

First timers going through this process should NOT try the dry method. It's just a recipe for disaster. One blocked drain hole or one forgotten drain plug (like on the power steering cooler) and it will cost you big time.

 

[John_S]

Re: Getting Antifreeze into Engine

By the book (merc manual) for draining my engine calls for removing the large hose on the lower side of engine water pump, but it doesn't call out anything for power steering cooler. Doesn't the PS cooler drain from being the high spot, and water will either drain back down toward drive (i remove the drive) or forward toward the drain by fuel cooler? Now, the book assumes you don't remove drive and describes poking wires in drain holes and bumping the motor (not starting) to get water out of impleller.

 

[QC]

Re: Getting Antifreeze into Engine

You guys just need to move . . .

 

[JoChek219]

Re: Getting Antifreeze into Engine

this is my 1st boat, and its a sealed system, i know i have to drain the rw half for winter, the block already had antifreeze in it, do i have to do anything for the manifolds and risers?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Getting Antifreeze into Engine

Do yourself a favor and save big $$$$ by doing it right with the correct manual for your engine and drive. Too many times we see here on the forum about folks that didn't do the winterisation correctly only to have to change cracked engine blocks and manifolds...and even to fix drives if the they had water seep in during the boating season( That is one of the reasons why it is recommended to change oils in the fall to potentially spot water intrusion.)

John S, my power steering cooler on my OMC has a drain plug on it and it doesn't drain by itself.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Getting Antifreeze into Engine

You guys just need to move . . .

8) I wish.

I am gonna go the route I initially planned:
5 gallons of Ban Frost into the block via the muffs after I drain the block and manifold.
The outfit that used to do it for me didn't even drain the block but I want that extra insurance