"temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

[Glowplug007]

I want to get back on the water as we are having some nice days, however we might get another freeze at any time. SO I needed a way to temporary winterize. Made a post here but couldnt find/ understand the manual for my engine on how to do it. So I went to my local bayliner dealer and had a mechanic show me which hoses I could pop off to give any water in the motor a place to go if it started to freeze. He even took them off a demo boat to show me. I took a pic of it so I could ask you guys if pulling these off is really all I would need to do if the temp drops. He said of the 2 blue hoses, 1 connects to the block, the other connects to the manifold, the black one goes to the exhaust. Thanks for any input!

 

[Bondo]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

Ayuh,.... The 2 drains are in yer picture, 'n I'd also pull the bottom end of the Big hose, off the circulating water pump,...

It'll hide close to another quart...

'n,... Pullin' the hoses is only 1/2 of the job...
Make sure the water drains out, by pokin' the drain with a nail, or screw to knock any crud outa the way...

 

[fat fanny]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

As Bond-o said and directly behind that petcock drain should be the lowest block drain plug open it and probe as mentioned leave it open and tak off the t-stat housing and circulating pup hoses to drain any trapped fluid from highest point and blow compressed air through all the hoses up wind of the outdrive to push any trapped fluid out especially the one layed along the valve cover leading to the O/D and button it back up.

 

[Glowplug007]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

Yall are talking greek to me and this is starting to sound a lot more complicated then what he showed me so im glad I posted this. Heres the thing though, temps here shouldnt go below 32 but its still a possibility. What im looking for is what is abosoloutly needed to not damage the engine. If the temps did get low it would only be for a night or 2, not an extended period of time. The bigger problem I have is that if simply unplugging these 3 hoses wouldnt save my motor from freezing then I need to find a new mechanic ASAP! Which really sucks cause they are the only bayliner dealer in town and my boat still has some warranty left. Plus hes supposedly bayliner "certified"! And they charge 95$ an hour! so the question lingering in my head, did he just feed me a line of BS and cant be trusted, or would those 3 hoses being unplugged save the motor in a pinch if the weather turn s@#&tty?!

 

[Glowplug007]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

A few more things.... I dont have an air compressor.
What kind of gunk ends up in these hoses that would clog it, just out of curiosity

The way he described this whole situation is like this, if you fill a mason jar with water and screw the cap on and freeze it, it would break the glass, however if you leave the top off the water in the jar may freeze but it has an outlet and wouldnt damage the glass jar. As in if I only pull these three hoses there will still be water in there but because it has a place to go if it starts filling up the space in the motor then it wont cause any harm.

Im scheduled to meet him in the morning to do a run through of the boat, hook it up with muffs and make sure its ready for the water, at that point there will be water in the motor again and I think im woefully unprepared to deal with the situation if his fix wont work! SO thankfull for this forum, I trust u guys over anyone.

 

[UNSUREBOATGUY]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

You just need to get all the water out of the block and manifold. One manifold drain, one block drain right below it (poke around with stiff wire or the like to be sure the holes are not plugged by rust flakes, dirt, etc.-stopping the water flow) and remove the big hose like Bondo said.

Then you can rest easy. It sounds scary, but if you get the water out of those three places, there will be none left in the engine to freeze.

Have a good night.

 

[achris]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

...they are the only bayliner dealer in town and my boat still has some warranty left. ...

You DO NOT need to go back to the selling dealer for warranty work. ANY Mercruiser dealer will still cover the warranty...

To stop any freeze damage on the engine just drain all the water out.. As already said, it's very simple.

1 drain on the manifold.
1 drain on the engine.
pull the bottom end off the water hoses and drain the water out of them too.

Use a nail or a bit of stiff wire to make sure the drain holes (1 in the manifold, 1 in the engine block) aren't clogged up... And make sure the drive is trimmed all the way DOWN, so any water in that can drain out. Do that and you'll be fine....

Chris........

 

[Glowplug007]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

1 drain on the manifold.
1 drain on the engine.

Those are the 2 blue hoses so I should be good on that.....
Not sure where the water hoses are, but if they are connected to the block and the manifold, then theoretically wouldnt the water have a place to go at that point? Why pull anymore then the 3 in the picture?

 

[Don S]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

Mercruiser built a drain system that looks good on paper, but sets you up for a cracked block or manifold.
The block and manifold used to have simple brass plugs in them that you removed to drain. You would need to clean the holes out with a wire, nail, screw or whatever, as corrosion and dirt plugged the holes. With those fancy hose systems, you have no idea if the holes are plugged up or not.

 

[oops!]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

one of the great things about iboats forums glowplug, is that they get answered so fast by real boat mechanics.

i understand your need for urgency with the link post.....but this is iboats....

we have you covered bud....no worries.

the answers you have received are true. and thats all you need to do.

i can tell you are really worried about this....so another trick is to throw a light bulb in the motor area after you drain the block and manifold.

the light bulb thing is not a standard practice.....and not recommended for a number of reasons.....but after draining the block and manifolds it is just extra very short period insurance

 

[fat fanny]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

I would suggest getting a merc service manual and read it cover to cover (educate yourself) and get more familiar with your rig if you want it to last and before you know it you will have ne need for a merc tech for the seasonal service practices and willl possibly be answering question on here yourself. There are free downloads out there!. And if you get into a snag we are always here to help.

 

[FishHog]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

personally I monitor temps this time of year, and unless it is going a few deg below 32 at night, I just throw a trouble light under the engine cover. You need a sustained cold to freeze and do damage, if its just dipping to 32 at night, I don't worry much, as the engine will hold a lot of heat for quite a while. Obviously, do this at your own risk, as it is a risk. If your not comfortable with that, then do what they listed above to be safe.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: "temporary" winterization mercruiser 3.0

... The way he described this whole situation is like this, if you fill a mason jar with water and screw the cap on and freeze it, it would break the glass, however if you leave the top off the water in the jar may freeze but it has an outlet and wouldnt damage the glass jar. As in if I only pull these three hoses there will still be water in there but because it has a place to go if it starts filling up the space in the motor then it wont cause any harm.

That is simply NOT how water physics works!
The jar will break if the lid is on or not!
So will your Block!

Prove it to yourself.
Fill an old open glass jar half full of water and put it in a plastic bag in the freezer.
The plastic bag is to catch the broken glass!

Water expands in each direction independently.
Glaciers do not have lids on them and they have no trouble moving mountains.

If the water is constrained from expanding Up/Down, Left/Right, AND Front/Back, something is going to give, and you will not like the results!