Newbie Help

[imported_wildcat]

I need to find out what the check valve does on my new 5.0L MPI 260 HP engine with Alpha 1 outdrive. I am trying to figure out where to pour the antifreeze in the cooling lines. The Mercruiser manual states that the lines should be kept full of antifreeze for the winter but does not state how to do it. <br /><br />1. The water pump is in the outdrive and it pumps water into the hull and then through the Power steering cooler and then to the check valve.<br />2. It goes from the check valve to the fuel cooler and then to the distribution housing which routes water to each of the exhaust elbows which allows water to exit through each of the exhaust manifolds.<br />3. The water then goes from each exhaust manifold to the thermostat.<br />4. There is then a hose which goes from the thermostat to the engine.<br />(Total of three hoses connect to the thermostat)<br /><br />I have the new single point drain system which has a valve to turn to drain everything, supposedly. I only have a drain plug on the thermostat and on the distribution housing if the drain valve fails.<br /><br />What does the inline check valve do?<br />Where do I pour antifreeze?

 

[tommays]

Re: Newbie Help

the check valve is there so water can not flow back out at that point<br /><br />there are quite a few posts that talk about the many ways to do the antifreez if you do a search on winterize like this one everybody has a different idea on the best way so try reading here <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=008473 <br /><br />tommays

 

[imported_wildcat]

Re: Newbie Help

So, if I have a check valve between my thermostat and the power steering cooler, how can I get antifreeze through the power steering cooler and out the transom. <br /><br />It looks like taking the hoses off the thermostat and dumping antifreeze in will never allow antifreeze to flow out the intake of the outdrive.<br /><br />Any ideas?

 

[tommays]

Re: Newbie Help

this falls into the area of if it confuses you it is better to pay a cerfited merc tech to do the winterize until you learn enough to do it correctly if you miss anything it will cost big time<br /><br />tommays

 

[imported_wildcat]

Re: Newbie Help

I have checked with the "certified" merc tech and they say to just open the drain lines and the water will come out. They have never had any problems. I tell them that the manual says to pour in antifreeze and they don't know exactly where to pour it in to get everywhere. I can take it to the "experts" and hope it is done right or I can figure it out myself with the help of this forum and do it myself and know it is right. Those are my options.