Only 3 Drain Locations?

[muskyfins]

This is the newest boat I've ever owned and according to the way I'm reading the factory service manual, there are only 3 water drain locations? Is this correct? Scares me to think about not draining the block and manifolds come winter time.

2011 Mercruiser 350 Mag EC
Serial 1A619387

 

[Scott06]

This is the newest boat I've ever owned and according to the way I'm reading the factory service manual, there are only 3 water drain locations? Is this correct? Scares me to think about not draining the block and manifolds come winter time.

2011 Mercruiser 350 Mag EC
Serial 1A619387

that may be depending on what cooling system you have I think you could have as many as 7 or as few as 1 (single point drain). issue is to make maintenance "easier" they hose over what were separate drain locations to a central or a fewer number of drain points.

while in theory this is great until these small hoses get clogged with silt...

you need to spend some time to see what you have on the boat put some pics up if you like.

There will be 2 drains on either side of the block at the oil pan rail
2 drains - one on each exhaust manifold bottom
the big U hose usually has a drain plug in it or you need to remove to drain.

yours may hose some or all of these together trick is to make sure they all drain...

 

[bajaman123]

If the FSM says three, then it's three. I've personally never liked these more "modern" systems, ESPECIALLY the ridiculous 'single point drain'. For peace of mind when winterizing, simply fill the whole thing up with about 4 gallons of antifreeze. Make sure if you use the "pink stuff" it is the RIGHT pink stuff, NOT 'RV Water Line Antifreeze'.

 

[Bt Doctur]

serial number shows the single point drain and a plug on the therm housing to vent.
Its a bad system .by design. Sounds great until the block drains get clogged with rust ,sand and scale Personally I would remove this system and go back to the old way to drain a motor by removing the block plugs, the manifold plugs and removing the hose manifold at the front of the motor and installing a section of copper ,plastic or bronze tube

 

[Stinnett21]

I've owned the single point drain for 22 years and enjoy the ease of use in fall and spring. However, my boating is all in fresh clear water. If i was in salt or muddy sandy conditions I would be leery of it for the reasons mentioned above. The more you use the system the better...keeps thing flushed etc. I always remove the quick disconnects and each side of the lower block and poke the holes for winterization. I trailer also which means I don't have to remove the vent on the side of the thermostat housing making things easier.

 

[Lou C]

My brother had a 2020 Chapparal with the Merc 4.5 and this system, it worked fine for the couple of years he had it but between that and the cat converter exhaust, I convinced him to trade it for a similar boat with a Yamaha 4 stroke outboard. Much better for our salt pond. It was moored not far from where I live, the deciding factor was when he had barnacles growing on the water intakes and it overheated, and went into safe mode, and they had to idle back. I cleaned out the barnacles (I do this on mine a couple of times a year) but that was strike 3, lol. I still have the I/O only because I am patient and am used to doing all the nonsense they need to keep going, but I'm feeling it too....a nice 18' center console...with a nice 4 stroke OB.....

 

[Stinnett21]

My brother had a 2020 Chapparal with the Merc 4.5 and this system, it worked fine for the couple of years he had it but between that and the cat converter exhaust, I convinced him to trade it for a similar boat with a Yamaha 4 stroke outboard. Much better for our salt pond. It was moored not far from where I live, the deciding factor was when he had barnacles growing on the water intakes and it overheated, and went into safe mode, and they had to idle back. I cleaned out the barnacles (I do this on mine a couple of times a year) but that was strike 3, lol. I still have the I/O only because I am patient and am used to doing all the nonsense they need to keep going, but I'm feeling it too....a nice 18' center console...with a nice 4 stroke OB.....

That is my goal also. This may indeed be my last season with the I/O but I've got to get things lined up to make it happen. Gonna be hard to sell with 1,700 hours. But I'm high jacking the OP's thread...what say ye muskyfins?

 

[muskyfins]

That is my goal also. This may indeed be my last season with the I/O but I've got to get things lined up to make it happen. Gonna be hard to sell with 1,700 hours. But I'm high jacking the OP's thread...what say ye muskyfins?

Still sorta on topic.