No Drains On Manifolds????

[MPII]

First, let me say that, yes, I did search the forum before asking this question. I read many posts about winterizing, however, did not see any where drains were no present on the manifolds.

I have a 1992 Rinker 4.3 Merc LX, with a Alpha I, Gen II. I had an older Merc before and I always winterized the traditional way, i.e.,
1. Marine Stabil in Fuel Tank
2. Drain Block, Drain Manifolds, Drain Oil Cooler
3. Fire up Motor (after draining) and run 5 gallons of Marine Antigel.
4. Use straight 30 weight oil, fog motor.
5. Drain Gear Oil & Change
6. Spray outside of motor with protectant.
7. Remove batteries and store with float charger.
8. Cover, put away.

Bought this Boat this year, so first time winterizing this boat. Went to drain the manifolds there were NO drains. There were two flat spots where the drains were on my old boat, only here, they were not drilled and tapped.

Never encourtered this before. Any tips? All I did was remove the hoses on the bottom of the manifolds, a lot of H20 came out. Also, there were only two drains on the block and I thought there were more.

I have a factory 600 page Merc Manual for this exact 1992 motore and it references drains but I couldn't find any.

 

[Don S]

Re: No Drains On Manifolds????

 

[MPII]

Re: No Drains On Manifolds????

Thanks Don!!!!!!!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: No Drains On Manifolds????

Hi, after reading your post I went through the factory pages on winter layup for my 1988 5.7 LX, which I imagine is 1.25 times the 4.3. In it they say to disconnect the intake hose at the oil &/or power steering cooler, the big hose on the starboard side of the water pump, the hoses to the thermostat housing, and the hoses under the exhaust manifolds. Open the petcocks on the block, there's one on each side. Open the plugs in the exhaust risers. Probe in the riser outlets and the petcock opening with a piece of wire to break up any built up rust and let out any trapped water. Now to your question, it mentions that some manifolds have a drain point and SOME DON'T. So you are OK. I guess it wouldn't hurt to tow the boat around a bit after the cooling system is drained to shake out any trapped water. But you are OK.
Mercruiser recommends replacing the plugs and petcocks so you don't end up with rusted threads in the spring that can't be used.

on edit, ooops too slow!

 

[Don S]

Re: No Drains On Manifolds????

PS: I was born in Columbus, raised and graduated in W Jeff.

 

[MPII]

Re: No Drains On Manifolds????

Hi, after reading your post I went through the factory pages on winter layup for my 1988 5.7 LX, which I imagine is 1.25 times the 4.3. In it they say to disconnect the intake hose at the oil &/or power steering cooler, the big hose on the starboard side of the water pump, the hoses to the thermostat housing, and the hoses under the exhaust manifolds. Open the petcocks on the block, there's one on each side. Open the plugs in the exhaust risers. Probe in the riser outlets and the petcock opening with a piece of wire to break up any built up rust and let out any trapped water. Now to your question, it mentions that some manifolds have a drain point and SOME DON'T. So you are OK. I guess it wouldn't hurt to tow the boat around a bit after the cooling system is drained to shake out any trapped water. But you are OK.
Mercruiser recommends replacing the plugs and petcocks so you don't end up with rusted threads in the spring that can't be used.

on edit, ooops too slow!

Hey Thanks! I winterized at a buddy's house, we did them both together. It was about a 25 minute drive home, so it was good that way. It was just wierd that the spot was there but it was not drilled and tapped.

I did shove some wire up there and rust did come out and you could feel it move around in there.

 

[MPII]

Re: No Drains On Manifolds????

PS: I was born in Columbus, raised and graduated in W Jeff.

Yea, we talked about this before. I feel VERY lucky here becuase my in laws live on a barn and have a nice poll barn I can keep the boat in out of the weather. Its not heated but it is nice not worring about snow, ice, rain, wind, etc. Just have to keep the ground hogs away from the tires/straps!