Winterization Process

[Zerbel04]

Ok just took my 2008 Glastron 4.3 Volvo Penta in for winterization. Being as it is my first winter as a boat owner I felt most comfortable paying a dealer $450 to do it for me.

With that said I intend to learn to do the entire process myself moreso because I enjoy doing it that to save money.

So in a nutshell as I understand it the dealer did the following:

Run engine for 20 min and add fuel stabilizer
Drain leg oil and pump out engine oil
Change fuel and oil filter
Replace oil in leg and engine
Run antifreeze through system until it pukes out the back
Gimbel bearings are all enclosed so no need to grease
Trailer bearings are oil bath and all good

QUESTION IS THIS

Everything seems pretty straight forward but I don't think the dealer even bothered to use drain plugs to drain water....simply skipped straight to antifreezing the system.

All well and good as clearly that seems like it would work but how the heck would I as a boat owner go about pumping antifreeze through the system? Don't really need to know until next winter I guess but I am very curious as this is the one step I can't wrap my head around.

I mean I own muffs but just can't put the pieces together on this one

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Winterization Process

Anti-freeze is run through the cooling system using the muffs and a hose/bucket combination that contains about 6 gallons of anti-freeze. There are kits that can be purchased, but at a fraction of the cost, you can get a homer bucket at Home Depot and sacrifice an old garden hose to the cause.

Here is a video that my dog took of me doing the winterization thing.

[video]http://home.comcast.net/~tpenfield/WinterizingtheEngine.mov[/video]

Warming the engine makes sure the thermostat is open.

Additionally, and as an alternative, you can just drain down the engine block, manifolds, and assorted hoses/pumps and achive the same effect. The idea is to get the water out and replace it with air or antifreeze.

Don't forget about the fogging oil when you run the antifreeze through the engine.

 

[Zerbel04]

Re: Winterization Process

Thanks Ted great video !!

For some reason I just assumed you would need more pressure going from the antifreeze bucket to the leg intake. Appears as though you are just relying on gravity which makes thinks simple.

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterization Process

Here is some winterizing info http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=178695

I would not recommend you run antifreeze through the muffs on a raw water cooled engine. With the thermostat closed, very little AF makes it to the block by the time the bucket is empty, but your manifolds will be protected.
Lots of people try it, then learn how to install a new engine in the spring.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Winterization Process

Here is a video that my dog took of me doing the winterization thing.

[video]http://home.comcast.net/~tpenfield/WinterizingtheEngine.mov[/video]

Warming the engine makes sure the thermostat is open.

Most places sell propylene glycol ready to use. That means it'll be pre-diluted and shouldn't be diluted any further.

Even though you start with a warm engine, the thermostat will not be open enough nor will running a few min be enough time to get a sufficient amount antifreeze into the block unless you drain the block FIRST.

If you drain the block first, there's not much reason to fool with the antifreeze.

This method has cracked many a block

The technique above works great if you have closed cooling though........

For some reason I just assumed you would need more pressure going from the antifreeze bucket to the leg intake. Appears as though you are just relying on gravity which makes thinks simple.

You only need to get liquid to your raw water pump. Then you need no pressure at all if there's no leaks between the drive and liquid supply.......Works just like a siphon. (in fact, it IS a siphon until the impeller starts turning)