Storing in Caves - necessary to put anti-freeze in?

[Husker-Q]

New to me boat owner this year - will be storing in the caves this winter where the temp is always about 65 degrees, year round ( http://www.innerspacestorage.com for those who have never heard of cave storage)

my question is - I dont see the need to change out the water with coolant for the winter - I thought I would just flush out the lake water with hose water (muffs), change the oil, lower unit lube and fog the motor.

Is there any other benefit for long term storage of using the collant?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Storing in Caves - necessary to put anti-freeze in?

If you're storing in a temperature controlled environment (even if it's controlled by nature), than you have no reason to drain coolant.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Storing in Caves - necessary to put anti-freeze in?

If it is raw water cooled then you should just drain the thing like a normal winterization. No reason to ever use antifreeze

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Storing in Caves - necessary to put anti-freeze in?

I store mine in the caves but in a controlled temp and humidity. Always 55 deg. and 45% relative Humidity.I still,(not that i need to) run anti freeze through the block. Helps to keep down any any possible corrosion.(internally). I don't even drain the water.If this isn't temp controlled look into if anybody else there gets mold.If so spray all your fabric and leather seats with Lysol. This keeps mold away.(Dark and damp causes mold)

 

[Husker-Q]

Re: Storing in Caves - necessary to put anti-freeze in?

it is raw water cooled - I was thinking just flushing with hose water to clean out lake water. I could drain and fill per traditional winterization techniques, but didnt know in a non-freezing environment, if it made any difference. Perhaps I should drain regardless, just to make sure the drains all work OK and so they dont sieze up.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Storing in Caves - necessary to put anti-freeze in?

... Is there any other benefit for long term storage of using the coolant?

For those of us that are anal. And are proud of it! ....

Propylene Glycol (PG) Antifreeze, AKA. RV Antifreeze. is a water soluble, biodegradable oil.
Coating the inner surfaces of the motor with PG has a few positive side.

It will keep the the seals lubricated and gaskets from drying out.
It will help preserve the rubber in the exhaust system.

It biodegrades by reacting with oxygen.
This will deplete the free oxygen molecules in the water and air cavities withing the engine and prevent further rusting.

If you consider Fogging the Fuel Induction side of the engine, consider PG as the equivalent of fogging the cooling system.
You do not "Need" to do either, But it doesn't hurt!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Storing in Caves - necessary to put anti-freeze in?

I would flush it with fresh water on muffs, then put it in storage. I wouldn't even drain the block/manifolds, as rust doesn't grow too fast in water. Letting the water out of the block will allow rust to form.