is this too much water coming out of my block?

[possum2082]

okay. i have an 86 350 volvo penta with a 275 outdrive on a 2150 sunbridge. this is my first boat and i have been paranoid all winter (central ky) about cracking the block.

i followed all the winterizing orders in the forum (good info, don). i even took off my thermostat and poured straight antifreeze into the block after i had drained the water just b/c, again, i'm paranoid. i let the coolant run out and closed the drains in the block.

we actually have a nice day today and so i was in the boat playing around and i opened the block drains and about 1/2 a cup of water (it looked very clear) came out of my port side and maybe a 1/8 cup out of my starboard.

i'm assuming the trailer shifted but i'm confused as to why this water had not been diluted with the antifreeze from my winterization.

anyway, is this 1/2 c of water enough to worry about?

thanks.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: is this too much water coming out of my block?

Probably not, but the only way to know for sure is when you check it after returning it to service....
You should be OK......

 

[stonyloam]

Re: is this too much water coming out of my block?

anyway, is this 1/2 c of water enough to worry about?

thanks.

Probably not. Remember that the reason that a block cracks is because ice expands about 10% vs liquid water, and in doing so exerts a tremendous amount of pressure in all directions. When a block or manifold is full of water the the expanding ice is contained and has no where to go, so the pressure build up causes the block to crack. If the block is empty or nearly empty (1/2 cup) there should be an air space above the ice and the ice is free to expand upward into this space relieving the pressure on the sides of the container (block). Not to say that a 1/2 full block will not crack, but I wouldn't worry about a cup or so.