Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

[ninjamatt]

I have a 89 concord mach with a rebuilt 4.3 that is in my garage now. I am in Arkansas and the weather here is predicted to be 6 degrees for a low for one night. I have been advised that when it's 20 degrees outside, my boat is ok in the garage.

But 6 degrees? It's not winterized. Do I need too?

 

[Way Far North]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

If you are worried, get a interior car heater and put it in the engine bay, it'll stay warm till at least -20. If you have an incandescant trouble light that will work too, just can't get as cold, maybe 0.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

Drain it!!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

I have a 89 concord mach with a rebuilt 4.3 that is in my garage now. I am in Arkansas and the weather here is predicted to be 6 degrees for a low for one night. I have been advised that when it's 20 degrees outside, my boat is ok in the garage.

But 6 degrees? It's not winterized. Do I need too?

Ayuh,.... Unless ya wanta buy a new motor, Drain the water out of it,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

I have been known to use a trouble light a few times between outings in late november early december with temps in the low 20's

however for 6 degrees - drain it

 

[agallant80]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

Its not that much effort to drain it. I would go ahead and do that and not worry.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

My garage is attached and it just doesn't go below freezing even on a night last night which went to -3. A free standing unheated garage will freeze. I would put a heater in the engine compartment or a halogen light at least. Well, unless you want a nice new 5.7 in there.

 

[fen-isl]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

I have a 4.3 engine and its very easy to drain. Just pop out the plugs run a wire through the holes to dislodge any debris and its done. Then you can sleep at night

 

[180shabah]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

Drain it and don't forget the power steering cooler...

 

[tazrig]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

Ayuh,.... Unless ya wanta buy a new motor, Drain the water out of it,.....

For the 5-10 minutes it will take you to drain it... why take the chance?? Freeze damage is forever not to mention way expensive!

 

[quicktach]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

Drain and winterize. Compressed air to blow out water.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

it'll only take a bit longer to drain it, than it will to read this thread...one plug on each side of the block, remove the lower end of the big hose on the front water pump, one drain on each manifold, disconnect the raw water intake hose at the thermo housing and point it down in the bilge....be safe...

 

[tazrig]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

You're playing with fire if you don't drain it... but your call:facepalm:

 

[mr 88]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

I will repeat myself as I posted the same answer to a similar post on here. What happens if you power goes out ??? No heat in garage,no auxiliary heat in engine compartment = $$$$ Of course the first guy said no big deal, he had a answer for everybody and I wonder why these guys even post up a question when they have no intention of following any ones advice to begin with...KARMA

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

I will repeat myself as I posted the same answer to a similar post on here. What happens if you power goes out ??? No heat in garage,no auxiliary heat in engine compartment = $$$$ Of course the first guy said no big deal, he had a answer for everybody and I wonder why these guys even post up a question when they have no intention of following any ones advice to begin with...KARMA

I drained mine last night... No intention? No big deal? It is and was a big deal so I drained it and appreciated all the feedback.

 

[carey965]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

why do people fight draining the block, its a 2 min procedure, unscrew the petcocks, poke something small in the hole so it can drain and wait till its done then put them back in, very very simple and cheap insurance

 

[tazrig]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

I think we scared OP away.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

maybe he is changing his motor because he didnt drain the block?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

I think the problem with a lot of boats is engine access. Yes draining the engine is easy, IF you can get at the drain plugs. In many boats this means removing the rear seats, which could be made easier by design, but on some boats is a real pain. I think for an I/O set up the old fashioned engine dog house with jump seats on each side is the best for maintenance. The full bench seats are heavy and a pain to take apart.

 

[aerobat]

Re: Opinion on not winterizing 4.3 merc in a garage

not sure what electricity costs in us but keeping a halogen light all the winter just for freeze protection makes in my eyes no economical sense vs the quick block drain- not talking about the real trouble if the odds are against you and power supply or the heating source fails .