Winerizing 4.3l volvo penta

[zell66]

Last year I winterized the motor myself, This was a first (inboard) I have ever done. I have winterized outboards for years. So this is what I did:
1. Ran engine to operating temp using muffs and then changed oil, filter and fuel filter
2. Hooked up a 5gal. container of rv/marine antifreeze and using muffs started engine, waited till I saw pink coming out of exhaust and then fogged carburetor and shut down.
3. Removed plugs and sprayed in fogging spray and re-inserted plugs.
Done.

After reading some posts on here they talk about removing drain plugs and hoses, I did none of that. The boat was used 4 to 6 times per month all summer and did a extended trip from Green Bay, WI to Rock Island State Park (5 to 6 hour run one way) with not a single engine problem all summer.

Did I get extremely lucky and the way I winterized was correct??

 

[bruceb58]

Step #2 is a perfect way of having your block freeze as seen by numerous posters on here. Drain the blocks by removing the drain plugs and poke a wire in there to make sure rust particles are blocking the flow of water. Then add antifreeze if you really think necessary through the thermostat housing.

 

[zell66]

Bruce thank you for your advise. Is there a way to see if I did indeed damage block? Boat was stored outside in central Wisconsin last winter.

 

[bruceb58]

If you ran it as many times as you said you did and you didn't get water in your oil or have water leaking out the side of your block, you are fine.

 

[zell66]

_

 

[89retta]

I have the same engine but fuel injected. The main thing is to remove all 4 drain plugs to get water out then reinstall the plugs. And then fill with antifreeze by running it.

 

[bruceb58]

There should also be a plug on the intake manifold you should be taking out.
Pull the hose off the circulating pump and drain.
Pull one of the hoses off the raw water pump and drain.
Drain the manifolds and power steering heat exchanger(if you have one) as well.

You do not need to run to add antifreeze. Pretty much all of it will end up in your manifolds as the thermostat will be closed and none will enter your engine.

 

[Mnoverboard]

I'd say ya dodged a bullet. Perhaps when ya warmed the engine, ya got lucky and the thermostat opened. Usually it doesn't. Winterize according to advice above. Cheers

 

[zell66]

So if I am understanding this right. If I open all plugs and remove hoses to drain engine there is no need to add anti-freeze?

 

[bruceb58]

So if I am understanding this right. If I open all plugs and remove hoses to drain engine there is no need to add anti-freeze?

Correct. Volvo doesn't even say to use anti-freeze.

 

[jimmbo]

When draining do not forget to drain the intake manifold on a 4.3. Otherwise, you get to buy a new intake and do several oil changes to remove the water.

 

[bruceb58]

When draining do not forget to drain the intake manifold on a 4.3. Otherwise, you get to buy a new intake and do several oil changes to remove the water.

Already mentioned post #7 but bears repeating as it can easily be missed.

 

[jimmbo]

Actually we can repeat it again and again and again, it still gets missed/forgotten all the time. Odd only the 4.3 has that and the V8s don't.

 

[bruceb58]

Actually we can repeat it again and again and again, it still gets missed/forgotten all the time. Odd only the 4.3 has that and the V8s don't.

May be because of the balance shaft so the design of the 4.3L manifold causes an area not to drain because of it.

 

[jimmbo]

You are probably correct.

 

[89retta]

I have a 4.3 GXI-E and it doesn't have that plug on the manifold.

 

[Lou C]

The older non Vortec 4.3s don't have that plug either.

 

[bruceb58]

I have a 4.3 GXI-E and it doesn't have that plug on the manifold.

You have MPFI right?

 

[89retta]

You have MPFI right?

Yes I do

 

[bruceb58]

Yes I do

The manifolds with drains are carb'd or TBI.