Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

[leviwynnyk]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Would temp make a difference in this matter? I lice in Alberta, Canada and it gets REALLY cold up here. Do you think this has any effect on wet or dry? I was going to have it done and he was going to use Antifreeze, maybe he shouldn't?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Just for thought, the original thermostat housing on my 1977 VP AQ255A 350SBC is (was) one heavy sucker. I would say at least 3/8's thick. Original owner (my neighbor-we boat in Puget Sound saltwater) always flushed out with fresh water after boating when possible, never heard of "Saltaway", and alway left the block dry over the winter. Which would mean the stat housing dry too. First motor lasted until 1996, when he repowered. Old stuff went to the new block. <br /> Well, this year I was replacing the stat, and gave the bottom of that housing a tap with a ball peen. Lordy, lordy, a dull thud. Good whack, and it went right through. So thats almost 30 years. He DID always take care of it, but it did last a long time. Its not really going to dry out in the block that much, as there is really no air transfer with the impeller blocking entry, and I always cover the carb and exhaust best I can (gas tank vent too). Any kind of coating, be it water or Antifreeze is better than plain air, especially in salt, but what I do is just run Saltaway through the motor, fog, drain the block (I do put antifreeze in the mans though), cover all openings, and say goodnight. Then look for a Virgin to sacrifice to the rust Gods.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Originally posted by Tahoe Bob:<br /> The concensus here seems to be that dry is best. Would doing the antifreeze thing and then draining it off thru the normal engine drain petcocks just before layup, theoretically then leaving a coating of antifreeze behind, be even better?

The Residue is Still going into the pond,........<br /><br />Lake Tahoe,............Isn't that where 2 strokes were Banned for Polluting Too Much,.???......<br />Sounds like the Pot calling the Kettle Black to Me............<br /><br />It's My Theory that the Anti-Freeze Winterization is as Great a Marketing Ploy as the 3000 mile Oil Change.................. <br /><br />Levi_w,.....<br />Air Doesn't Freeze,..........<br />We see -40* Atleast once a year Here,......<br /><br />Life is either Above 32*s,...... Or Below 32*s,.........It doesn't Matter for 100*s either side of 32*s............

 

[am_dew]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Yep, there are no two strokes allowed in Tahoe.

 

[MRS]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Bondo is right AIR does not freeze I do live in Calif. but the temp in the desert here gets in the low twenties in the winter last year we got 10 inches of snow. Thats alot for us I drain the manifold and motor and nothing cracks but I did get the boat from a friend that did not drain in winter and the block did crack I fixed with jb weld four years ago and it still holding (yes he is stil my friend) if you do nothing drain in off season.

 

[Mile-High Mariner]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

If you really feel impressed to protect your block, flush thoroughly with the pink stuff (RV antifreeze), then drain and store dry. Just don't let Bondo see you doin' it.......

 

[Lou C]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

If I had a raw water cooled motor in freshwater, I think I'd just drain. But for those of us with raw water cooled motors in salt, I use the AF for the reason that cast iron exposed to salt water is going to rust faster exposed to the air, than it would in the water! Every so often you see one of those shows on Discovery Channel where they are exploring wrecks, bringing up artifacts, they usually make a comment about the fact that steel and iron will actually rust faster when exposed to air, than it did in the water. So that is what I do, the physics makes sense to me. I just drain and recover the AF. Now all you backyard mechanics who change your AF in your vehicles are doing the same thing but you are using more toxic EG AF, so this is no different as long as you are not starting it up in the lake or bay with the AF in it.

 

[erikjohnnelson]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

I've never stored dry before, but after reading this, I'm willing to give it a shot. Is there a link to how this is done or can someone give me quick rundown of what to do? I have 95 4.3 litre Mercruiser.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Good topic,and I'll probably be back next year.<br />You won't do any immediate damage storing dry,as it seems to be called.You won't do any immediate damage storing 'wet'.<br /><br />I go for,and sell my customers,'wet'.I base this on the oxidation side of wet verses dry.<br /><br />I may need more info on the toxic non-toxic side.If I can use it in my drinking water system in my motor home,it will hurt the fish ? (when I flush it out ?)<br /><br />DHP

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

erik,......<br /><br />You Should have a Drain at the bottom of the Block,..On Both sides,..... Just ahead of the Starter on 1 side,+ Just ahead of the Oil Filter on the otherside.......<br />1 at the Bottom-side of Each Exhaust Manifold,.....<br />Pull the Big Hose off the engine Waterpump,.....<br />If you have P/S,..... Drain it's Cooler by removing the Big Hose at Either End.........<br />Store with the Outdrive in the Down position,.... Or,.. Off the boat.........<br />

I may need more info on the toxic non-toxic side.If I can use it in my drinking water system in my motor home,it will hurt the fish ? (when I flush it out ?)

A Scotch on the Rocks is Mighty Fine now,+ then,....................<br />But,.....<br />A Gallon of Scotch Will Kill You.............. <br />Now,.......<br />How Many Boats are we launching in the Spring,......<br />Times,... Oh,... How about a Gallon or Two for each Boat,........... <br />I've Seen Sackets Harbor turn Green,... On Opening Day of Walleye.............. <br /><br />All you folks down on the South Coast should just Leave the Saltwater IN your motors,...........<br />It Won't Freeze til it gets to the Single Digits.........<br /><br />1 of the Advantages of living on the Inland Seas,..........<br />Manifolds,+ Riser(Elbows) will Last Damn Near Forever...................<br /><br />Stored Dry of course,........

 

[KaGee]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Originally posted by erikjohnnelson:<br /> I've never stored dry before, but after reading this, I'm willing to give it a shot. Is there a link to how this is done or can someone give me quick rundown of what to do? I have 95 4.3 litre Mercruiser.

If you will do a search, Don S posted a link to Mercruiser's service bulletin recommending dry.

 

[driftwood47]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

I have stored my 2000Yr. Mercruiser 3.0 wet since new using RV antifreeze with no problems. I aleays test run the engine before taking it either to Norfolk,Va.(salt water) or to a nearby fresh water lake. <br />I do have a question though,I can't seem to get the small hose leading to the outdrive off. I figure if the antifreeze flows out of it as I fill the block then all is well. Am I OK with this?

 

[tystick]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

i just finished and went with the dry method for second year.... after AF flush to coat everything before hand. I use boat in Atlantic so wanted the corrosion protection. I think that is the best of both worlds

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

In storing dry, after you have opened all the petcocks , do you have to crank the engine to drain the main water pump in front of the engine?<br /><br />If so, how can you be sure all the water is out?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

The water pump drains through the block &/or hose that comes from the transom...JK

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

I was at my favorite marina (quite a large, high volume one that sells Mercruiser and Volvo, and about 12 different brands of boats) today buying a few parts and I carefully read all their "winterization specials" and pricing. All their routine winterization is done dry unless you pay for their "premium" package, then they'll run antifreeze through it. They tell me that only about 10% of their customers buy that package, and the service manager there told me he honestly felt it was a waste of money but they offer it because a few customers demand it. The rest just get their block drained. We're in Indiana, so salt water is not an issue.<br /><br />I just thought I'd share they they, too, vote for dry.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Originally posted by cobra 3.0:<br /> In storing dry, after you have opened all the petcocks , do you have to crank the engine to drain the main water pump in front of the engine?<br />If so, how can you be sure all the water is out?<br /><br />The water pump drains through the block &/or hose that comes from the transom...JK

Not Quite,.............<br />There's No Reason to turn the motor over At All..........<br /><br />Read My posts again,...... You've Got to Pull the Big Hose at the Engine Waterpump,.......<br />And,....... If you've got P/S,... You Need to pull Either of the Big Hoses from the P/S Cooler..............<br /><br />The Hose from the outdrive feeds to the T-Stat Housing,..... Which is Above the engine waterpump.....<br /><br />Those are the 2 Extra Drains I added to My system,.........<br />1 at the P/S Cooler,.... Which drains the Cooler,+ the Hose from the Drive to the T-Stat Housing........<br />And 1 in the Engine Waterpump........

 

[lugster84]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

I just ran 2 gall of A/F into with the kit based on the guy I bought the boat off of. I happened to keep a little of the run off and tested it. It was protected to 5 or 10 above!! Of course this guy kept boat in a heated garage and the temps here can easily reach zero. Am I reading that most just drain everything and don't put A/F down the thermostat housing as the manual says? Also, KaGee, I searched and couldn't find that post by Don S. Any help would be greatly appreciated. According to this, plan on draining everything before freeze (or 5 to 10 above). 89 regal 4.3 mercrusier.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

Basically you drain the manifolds and block,and anything else to keep it from freezing.<br /><br />If you want to apply antifreeze with the motor running,and pour it thru,plan on 4 gallons for a 140 HP,and almost 7 for a V8,unless you drain it first.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Pan-one]

Re: Winterization? store dry or with anti-freeze?

I have a 1988 5.7 V8 in my boat and just finished winterization. I have always used the wet method. Hear is how I go about it.<br />I have a hex type screw that is located to the front of my carb in the top of the block. I remove this screw and place my shop vacunm hose over the top (makes a perfect seal). I suck all the water from the block and replace with AF. I then drain the risers. Then disconnect the water hose from top of pump and pour AF in until it comes out of my both 4" Exausts. If my dog is lapp'en at the exausts, its coming out and is full.<br />I have never had a problem with this wet system before. "HOWEVER" My FATHER-INLAW used the wet sysytem two winters ago and his head cracked? Maybe he did it to late or maybe he didn't use enought AF? Never the less he used the wet system again this weekend when we did our boats.<br />I don't know whats better, but I would agree that AF must slow down the damage that occurs from salt water use.<br /><br />Just kidding about the dog thing, but please keep the pets in mind when using this stuff.