One for the winterizing gurus.

[whitecrystal1]

Re: One for the winterizing gurus.

When you open all drains and get all the water out, no one gets to sell you anything. It is the best and recommended way to winterize an I/O.

Anti-freeze methods/kits are on the market, not because they are best, but because places like West Marine don't make a penny when you just drain all the water. Soon, you'll tire of hearing that 'air don't freeze'.

As for the 'how to' stuff on winterizing... it's posted as a 'sticky note' at the top of the engine forums.

Tune in next season for a special episode of "Hey, my engine block cracked!", filmed in Florida under the glow of a 60w light bulb hanging in the bilge. Oops! Even the know-it-all Floridian boaters get zinged!

Isn't part of the purpose of the anitfreeze to also preserve the block from rust/scale? That's what I've always been told. And if you only drain it, then you should leave all the plugs out to help prevent condensation.

 

[mpdive]

Re: One for the winterizing gurus.

Draining the water is key for sure, but I always use one of these to fill with antifreeze afterwords and never had an issue. I also pull the T-stat and I always use -100deg antifreeze. It's not this kit that causes blocks to crack it's from people not doing it right

That's the way I do it and I never had a problem

 

[mpdive]

Re: One for the winterizing gurus.

Isn't part of the purpose of the anitfreeze to also preserve the block from rust/scale? That's what I've always been told. And if you only drain it, then you should leave all the plugs out to help prevent condensation.

Only if you buy the antifreeze with the corrosion protection in it.

 

[whitecrystal1]

Re: One for the winterizing gurus.

Only if you buy the antifreeze with the corrosion protection in it.

The -100 I buy does have it in it but the -50 they sell does not. I use that in the toilet and holding tank. I use compressed air to blow out the water lines to the sinks and washdown on the transom and never had a problem with any lines freezing.

 

[mpdive]

Re: One for the winterizing gurus.

It comes both ways. I always go for the corrosion protection figuring it runs all year with raw water. I like to give it a treat in the winter!