Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

[acke61]

I can't find any of the engine drains...And I can't find my manual anywhere.

I have the 4 drains in the manifolds out... I have to get this done today...

Help please.

4.3 Chevy Mercruiser Alpha 1

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

That block has two drains, one on each side. Look at the part of the block where the oil pan bolts on, on one side. Look directly up from the oil pan in the center of the side of the block. You will see the drain. it is brass or plastic. There is another one on the opposite side.

 

[acke61]

Re: Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

Thanks...! i drained the plugs on the rear of the manifolds...and the block ones...and unhooked all the hoses and poured AF in each one...most of the hoses the AF drained right out cuz i left the plugs out....I should be all good right?

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

Do you have power steering or efi? Make sure lower unit is down.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

That is it for the block, but don't you have to do some draining on the sterndrive? On my OMC you need to open some drains back there. Also, drain and refill the gear oil in the lower unit, and don't forget to replace the little plastic washers on the screws for the lower unit lube.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

There are no water drains on the Mercruiser. Dump a bit of AF down the raw water hose to push out any water in the waterpump and power steering cooler. Change the gear oil, motor oil, grease the fittings, fog the motor, clean the spark arrestor, stabilize the fuel.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

Alphas are self draining when in the full down/in position. Make sure the P/S cooler is either empty or full of AF.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Help! Winterizing 4.3 Mercruiser

A self draining outdrive?!?! What a brilliant idea! Why didn't OMC think of that? Since every OMC outboard is self draining, it seems they have the technology (Gravity).