URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be 28f tonight

[larivies]

I'm having my apointment this weekend to winterize my engine. I live in Canada, curent temperature during the day is 58?f (15?c).

The problem is that tonight is gonna be 28?f (-2?c).

Is there any problem leaving my engine with water in it at this temp? Sterndrive oil have been change since last use.

My boat is a Bravo2 with 350 mercruiser.

 

[Don S]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Drain it, then you don't have to worry. Just because they forecast a low temp, doesn't mean it can't get lower where you are.

 

[mpdive]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Like Don said drain it. Make sure you drop your drive down to get the water out of the leg. Don't take no 5,000.00 dollar chances

 

[greg82255]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

The problem is that tonight is gonna be 28?f (-2?c).

Is there any problem leaving my engine with water in it at this temp? Sterndrive oil have been change since last use.

Well, the dice are yours to roll. Is it guaranteed that the water will freeze and crack your block? No. But is it definitely a possibility? Yes. If it were mine, I'd drain it. All it takes is removing a few plugs.

 

[FishHog]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

agree with the above, but if you want to take the lazy more risky route, throw a trouble light in the bilge. The heat from it will keep it above freezing. -2C overnight more than likely won't actually freeze the water in your block, but if it stays that low for an extended time it could.

I'm not saying you should do this, just giving you a "lazy, risky" option.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Use a 60w light and drop a blue tarp over the drive to keep wind off.

Or be 100% sure and winterize it yourself. No need to pay for someone to do it wrong.

 

[boat1010]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Like Don always says "air don't freeze" You just have to be careful that all the water gets out of everywhere. Sometimes you have to take a small wire or something to stick in the hole to make sure there isn't any rust keeping the water inside. And you have changed the stern drive oil there can't be any water in there. If you are unsure of all the drain plugs or not sure what to do just warm it up with mouse ears then pull the plugs and then put the trouble light in the dog house just to make sure, until you get it winterized. You really scared me when you said it was going to get to -28. There is a big difference between -28 and 28deg. Good luck..

 

[larivies]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Thanks everybody. Yesterday I did what you told me and removed the plug to drain it.

 

[larivies]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

You really scared me when you said it was going to get to -28. There is a big difference between -28 and 28deg. Good luck..

?

Haha! my error... I just correct them. At -28?f, I hove I will not ask yourself (and myself) ?Do it need to drain my engine?? doh!

 

[Don S]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be -28f tonight

Thanks everybody. Yesterday I did what you told me and removed the plug to drain it.

That sounds a bit scary, What "Plug" did you pull, and you do know there is more than one plug on your engine. Usually 5, plus removing a hose or two to drain.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be 28f tonight

It's going down to 30 around my boat's home tonight. The lake water is still above 60 degrees and the air around the lake will only go down to 45 because of that. So the wife & I will get a little leaf peeping ride at 80 degrees on Sunday before I pull the boat.
If it was on a trailer I'd drain & winterize it though.

If it's going to go down to 28 for half an hour and then back above 32 when the sun rises you have a little leeway because it takes a while for the engine block inside it's box to loose enough heat for a freeze. On the other hand once damaged it's ruined, so if there is any chance of a real freeze get it drained.

 

[John_S]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be 28f tonight

I have been busy since Lee dropped 12" on us. I normally bring the I/O home from the Daks in Sept. Seeing the frost advisories yesterday, made the run and pulled the boat out just at dark. Drained the block, and in the Am there was a very heavy frost. Might not of caused an issue on the water, but didn't want to risk it. She is home and fine now.

 

[1981century]

Re: URGENT! Engine not winterize / outside temp will be 28f tonight

Drain it and you don't have to worry, but you might be able to hook it up to some water and run it up to temperature before you go to bed tonight. If you can get it up to around 170 degrees at 10:00 or 11:00 pm, it probably will never get close enough to freezing the block by morning. It typically has to get to 25 degrees f for several hours before you break a block, but draining it is the best thing to do. You can also put a clamp light under the hood if you have room, but be careful you don't set it up where it can move and or get too hot and start a fire. I've done all these things in the past with success, but I live in the south, so it probably takes longer here for the temperature to drop. I've also simply lowered the boat into the water and started it up and left it in the water too. Drain it if you have time.