news says "big freeze" is coming.

[beason]

So i live on the south coast just outside of Houston TX. A "big freeze" for us is 28deg for a few hours. BUT i dont want to take any chances.

I understand that my engine (99 3.0l Merc) has 5 removable plugs that i take out to drain all the water left in the block. the problem is, my boat is at the storage yard, and the work area is crappy at best. Does anyone have pics or a diagram of the 5 plugs so i know i got all 5 and where they are at? I will have minimal light (flashlight) and tools to do this so i want to make sure i know what im doing.

Also, do i just let it drain into the bilge, and out the transom plug?

Ive already did the sta-bil in the gas, and plan on doing some much needed maintenance soon, but i just need to get past this so called big freeze that is coming.

I firmly believe what i read here, "air doesnt freeze"

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[ziggy]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

go here and follow the mercruiser section that applies to your '99 3.0. find the winterizing section of that service manual and it'll likely have words and pics for what ya need to do to get the water out of it.

i drain mine into a coffee can.

28*F ay. yep cold enough to freeze. in my hood it was -3*F this morning. drained my block and manifold quite awhile ago..

 

[Don S]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

You will only have 2 plugs, not 5 and they are both on the port side as shown in the picture, not Port and starboard.

.

 

[beason]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

OK, so i went out there, and it was so cold!!

On the two plugs. the one on the block was a blue plastic wing nut, but the one on the manifold was a brass plug.

I removed both. water only came out of the block.

I then removed the smaller hose, and although it was dry, more water poured out of the block plug hole. I removed the larger hose, and nothing else came out.

I left the plugs out for now.


I could only find 3 holes on the lower. and they were all clear.

I hope i got it all. Thanks Don and Ziggy for the info. and i will save those links to the manuals.

 

[ziggy]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

but the one on the manifold was a brass plug.

I removed both. water only came out of the block.

did ya probe the manifold drain hole with the plug removed. mine usually don't flow either till i probe it with a paper clip or the likes. ya gotta get the rust scale out of the way for it to drain the water out of the manifold. least on mine ya do. i suspect you still have water in the manifold if nothing came out.

 

[beason]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

well thats not good. the plug was dry and clean when i pulled it out. I guess i will have to go back out there.

it wouldnt drain to the block?

 

[ziggy]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

if ya didn't do step 3 is DonS' attachment. i think for peace of mind i'd go recheck it... if it were mine...

i can't remember if my drain plug looks wet or not when i remove it. i think it does + has some scale on it usually as i always rinse the grit off it with the manifold water as it drains.

 

[beason]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

I just checked the weather web site and the coldest i see is 33 and that is only for a few hours. Im closer to the coast then the main office so we should be warmer.

i will go back out there tomorrow and check, but its a PITA to take the cover off, and all that to get to the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

but its a PITA to take the cover off, and all that to get to the engine

Not a biggy, those manifold only take a couple hours to change, and shouldn't cost more than 4-500 bucks to replace if it does freeze and your weather man was wrong. iboats sell new ones.

 

[beason]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

if ya didn't do step 3 is DonS' attachment. i think for peace of mind i'd go recheck it... if it were mine...

i can't remember if my drain plug looks wet or not when i remove it. i think it does + has some scale on it usually as i always rinse the grit off it with the manifold water as it drains.

Yea i didnt clean them out. i was in a hurry and it was cold. im on it.

Not a biggy, those manifold only take a couple hours to change, and shouldn't cost more than 4-500 bucks to replace if it does freeze and your weather man was wrong. iboats sell new ones.

I hear ya don.. im on it.

 

[beason]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

ok so i went back out, and checked it out.

There was a little water still in the manifold. I had to push pretty hard to break through the crust, and the water came out black. but it came out.

thanks for the help guys!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

Beason, I 'm proud of ya son! if you always do your best you'll have few regrets !

I live in DFW and we were down to 22 last night. I drained my block 2 weeks ago and sleep well knowing air ain't gonna crack my block!

 

[Don S]

Re: news says "big freeze" is coming.

Good on ya. Sleep well.