winterized Merc

[splugeeman]

I have a 97 merc, 6cyl that I thought I winterized last week. Apparently I missed a drain plug, I was told there were 5 after the fact, I got 4 of them. I drained the block (4 of the 5) filled it full of antifreeze as well the rest of the usual winterizeing. The boat sits in the water in northern Ark a good drive away from me. Will the engine be allright? or do I need to make the drive and start over again?

 

[Don S]

Re: winterized Merc

The block only has 2 drain plugs, not 4, one on each side of the block.
The manifolds have one on each manifold.
There is either a drain on the large water hose on the ciiculation pump or you have to remove the hose. You also may have a power steering cooler if you have power steering.

 

[Shaun78]

Re: winterized Merc

Which one did you miss? I missed the left side plug on the block. I drained that plug and added more antifreeze. You should be fine but you can do what I did if it makes you feel better.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: winterized Merc

If you didn't do all the stuff that Don mentioned, I would go back & make sure it is done right....
Gas & time are cheap as opposed to a cracked block or PS cooler....​

 

[splugeeman]

Re: winterized Merc

I removed 4 blue plugs 2 on the left and 2 on the right. One high and one low on each side. I thought that is all there was. However, I was told I missed one?

 

[Don S]

Re: winterized Merc

I thought that is all there was.

You THOUGHT!!!
That is what causes freeze damaged engines. Not KNOWING what you should be doing.
Miss one, spend $$$$.

I was told I missed one?

I would say whoever told you that was right.

 

[splugeeman]

Re: winterized Merc

I am trying to find out if this motor has 5, NOT SMART *** REMARKS!

 

[Don S]

Re: winterized Merc

Then LOOK Smart ***
Look at your service manual, Look at your owners manual, Look at the third sentence in reply #2 of this thread. Look at your cooling system and compare.

There is no possible way anyone can say FOR SURE without seeing what you have.

 

[splugeeman]

Re: winterized Merc

dUHH! There is no service manual , if there was i wouldn't be posing the question! Now i knwo why I rarely vist this forum.......you never get a yes or no awnser...just smartass remarks

 

[Don S]

Re: winterized Merc

If you don't have a service manual or an owners manual, get one. Or at least say you don't have one. But if you are working on it, WHY don't you have one.
And to think, with just a little looking or even asking, on this forum you could have found you could have downloaded one for free.
I could have given you a link for it, but would rather give a smartass remark.
Good Luck

 

[ziggy]

Re: winterized Merc

ya really need a service manual man.....it's the bible for yer boat. it even has pictures....w/o one, yer hosed....... for me, even with one, i'm in trouble. and i read it a lot too....., post #2 does look like it covers the bases from what i read here on this fine forum.......

you never get a yes or no awnser

that's because lots of times there ain't a yes or no answer. one thing leads to another.......

"http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/sisdata/srvcovr.pdf"

 

[Lou C]

Re: winterized Merc

I don't know Mercs but I used the manual that came with my OMC, even the owner's manual had very detailed instructions on winterizing, oil changing, drive oil changing, etc. Why risk an engine that could cost thousands to replace, because you are depending on advice from others, when the manual will make it clear, and if you buy it, the cost will come back to you with about 1 hr of labor! Get an OE manual and do yourself a favor. I also belong to a Jeep board and I stopped responding to rediculous questions like how to I replace my brake pads, what trans fluid do I use, on and on. People would not ask questions like that, if they learned the right way the first time. As questions here when the manual is not clear, or something unusual comes up.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: winterized Merc

There is only 4 drains unless you have a power steering cooler,, id say your OK.

 

[Don S]

Re: winterized Merc

There is only 4 drains unless you have a power steering cooler,, id say your OK.

Can we assume you either have one now or have had one in the very recent past? Cause if you are wrong, someone else spends money.

 

[texomatom]

Re: winterized Merc

I have a 98 Merc 6 cyl.
Your 5th plug is your PS cooler.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: winterized Merc

Ayuh ,,,,,, yep