is this a good way to winterize?

[bluedevil211]

I just bought my first boat. My boat mechanic told me that when he winterizes boats at his shop (cause he sees so many problems with people not winterizing correctly) he runs a barrell of antifreeze through the prop, intake and engine until it runs through all parts. Has anyone heard of this? This is all he does. Then, come spring, you don't have to do anything special to it...just put it in the water and go.

 

[jimdd810]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

Seems like a big waste of anti freeze to me. This is what I do and its never failed me or my customers boats. First I add the required amount of Marine grade stabil to the gas tank. Strart the boat and run it for awhile to make sure the stabilized fuel makes it to the carb. If it is a a 4 stroke I then change the oil. Then i restart the motor to make sure there is no oil leaks (for 4 stroke) I then fog the motor. After shutting down after killing all the bugs in the yard I then grease all lube points with Triple Guard. I replace spark plugs. I then drain the lower unit looking for water. I pressure and vacumn test the lower unit. Refill the lower unit with the required gear lube. I then pull the prop and check for fishing line regrease the prop shaft with triple guard, reinstall the propr. I then check the bearing buddies and bearings on the trailer. I inspect the boat for any problems.If there are livewells then I drain and chase each one with rv antifreeze. The very last thing I do is pull the drain plug and put it in a zip lock back and zip tie it to the sterring wheel to make sure they dont forget it. If it is an i/o or inboard the process is pretty much the same except I open the block drain plugs and all the hoses and chase them with rv antifreeze as well till they run pink from the drain plugs. I also do the same for the risers. I then return all hoses and drain plugs to where they should be.
All the customer has to do in the spring is put the drain plug in and drop the boat in the water and start it and leave. Never a problem with starting after winter layup!

I hope the mechanic you refer to likes come backs in the spring because he must get lots of them.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

That's how the Marina done it in Mich. for everyone for many years.

 

[jimdd810]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

What do you mean lakegeorge my way or the barrell way?

 

[spudshaft]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

Jimdd, too bad you aren't local.

 

[jimdd810]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

Thanks spud,

I dont know how they do things down south. I was just taught that way and old habits die hard. I hate having to go out in the spring to fix a problem do to poor winterizations. That is why I do such a thourough job. I let the other shops screw themselves when there customers call me. My old Pappy used to tell me hed rather make a little money on a whole lot of people then make alot of money on just one.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

Injecting antifreeze into an outboard is unnecessary, as they are self-draining. Using a barrel of antifreeze to winterize an I/O is stupid and harmful to the environment.

To inject antifreeze into an I/O, first remove the plugs and drain all the water. Next add A-F to the cooling hoses until a little bit emerges from the intake, block, manifolds and risers. Now install the plugs and fill the block and manny with A-F.

In the spring, pull the plugs and collect the A-F for reuse. Allowing the A-F to enter the lake or bay is really bad for the environment, but really easy for lazy folks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

no idea, i did not see what you have, there are many ways to winterize. in the south we just change the lower unit oil, on outboards.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

The service manual for my I/O doesn't mention antifreeze because it's not needed if you follow the factory recommendation for winterizing. The factory manual specifies opening the drain points in the block and drive, and disconnecting the lower water pump hose. If done properly, this lets all the water out of the block leaving only air in the passages. Air doesn't freeze. There's no need for antifreeze.

 

[Annoix]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

Hey, I have a '71 Evinrude 85-horse (on a '74 Starcraft 150). I've usually had the boat dealer in town winterize my jet boats, so this older motor is a mystery. I understand the Stabil, no problem there. So basically then I just pull the plugs and fog the cylinders and turn it over a couple times, right? What's the best stuff to shoot in there?

Also, being in the woods of northern Wisconsin, with the boat covered and outside, I always put a couple mothballs in the motor to keep the mice away.

 

[jimdd810]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

1st if you use rv antifreeze it is safe for the enviroment. It is designed to use in rvs water systems the same systems that you then drink water from.

2nd the reason to use rv antifreeze and not just drain the block is to make sure there is no water left in there any where.

3rd like I stated before I dont know what they do in the south where freezing is not always a concern but didnt it freeze in Georgia last winter? I could be mistaken about it.

4th reason for flushing the cooling system is to get rid of any sand or rust deposits that might be in the block. Not just any residual water that might be in there.

5th. The fuel being stabilized is probably one of the most important things to do. If you dont with ethynol you are asking for major headaches.

My way keeps my customers boats from from freezing in the great north of Wisconsin.
I will continue to do it this way and keep customers coming back.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

2nd the reason to use rv antifreeze and not just drain the block is to make sure there is no water left in there any where.

A little bit of water won't hurt anything, frozen or not. The problem is if the block/manifolds are full and they freeze the water has nowhere to expand and pop goes your engine.

My volvo manual clearly states the water draining procedure for winter layup and nowhere does it call for antifreeze so I'm with the "air doesn't freeze" crowd.

 

[bow wow rider]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

A little bit of water won't hurt anything, frozen or not. The problem is if the block/manifolds are full and they freeze the water has nowhere to expand and pop goes your engine.

amen to this statement. i think this simple truth gets lost in the complexities of the winterizing debates. it aint rocket surgery.

 

[JimS123]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

The newer Mercuisers have multiple stopcocks to drain the water, and the manual just says to drain them. Simple turn of the finger.

The older Mercruisers had brass plugs that needed a wrench to remove and teflon sealer to replace. The Owner's Manual called for removing the thermostat and various hoses to fill the engine with anti-freeze if the boat was to be stored in a "freezing cllimate".

The moral of the story is to follow the manual that came with the boat.

Also, if you plan to fill the engine with anti-freeze, don't use RV antifreeze. That stuff is for toilets and sinks. Buy Marine Antifreeze that is specifically made for engine blocks.

 

[Annoix]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

I forgot... what do I fog the cylinders with??

 

[Chris1956]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

A lot of times rust will clog the drains(block and manifold) on the MerCruisers. You need to stick a screwdriver or something into the bare drain hole to loosen the rust and allow the water to drain. Simply removing the plugs, be they brass or plastic is inadequate.

 

[E_Man]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

LOL "Rocket Surgery"

amen to this statement. i think this simple truth gets lost in the complexities of the winterizing debates. it aint rocket surgery.

 

[E_Man]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

Jim,

Is pulling the spark plugs necessary every season? Obviously there is no water to drain there...

Seems like a big waste of anti freeze to me. This is what I do and its never failed me or my customers boats. First I add the required amount of Marine grade stabil to the gas tank. Strart the boat and run it for awhile to make sure the stabilized fuel makes it to the carb. If it is a a 4 stroke I then change the oil. Then i restart the motor to make sure there is no oil leaks (for 4 stroke) I then fog the motor. After shutting down after killing all the bugs in the yard I then grease all lube points with Triple Guard. I replace spark plugs. I then drain the lower unit looking for water. I pressure and vacumn test the lower unit. Refill the lower unit with the required gear lube. I then pull the prop and check for fishing line regrease the prop shaft with triple guard, reinstall the propr. I then check the bearing buddies and bearings on the trailer. I inspect the boat for any problems.If there are livewells then I drain and chase each one with rv antifreeze. The very last thing I do is pull the drain plug and put it in a zip lock back and zip tie it to the sterring wheel to make sure they dont forget it. If it is an i/o or inboard the process is pretty much the same except I open the block drain plugs and all the hoses and chase them with rv antifreeze as well till they run pink from the drain plugs. I also do the same for the risers. I then return all hoses and drain plugs to where they should be.
All the customer has to do in the spring is put the drain plug in and drop the boat in the water and start it and leave. Never a problem with starting after winter layup!

I hope the mechanic you refer to likes come backs in the spring because he must get lots of them.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

A lot of folks spray fogging oil into the plug holes. I think introducing it thru the carb, while running the motor is adequate.

I would change the spark plugs in the spring after running all the fogging oil out.

 

[jp10]

Re: is this a good way to winterize?

Definately new plugs in the spring, not right after fogging oil, unless it's someone else's money your spending.