winterizing aq130c

[mrdopes]

hey guys,

i have twin aq130c's on my cruiser, and i pulled the drain plugs (2 of them on each engine) on the engines today to get ready for the winter.

On my port engine, when i pulled the block plug, i got NO WATER coming out of it!

On my starboard engine i got a good amount of water out of it. The starboard engine was draining for a good 2-3 minutes!

I stuck a screwdriver in the drain **** hole of the port engine to try and free anything that may have been clogging it, but nothing!

I drained the water out of the oil cooler fine, but is there another way to drain the water out of the block? this engine is not a closed cooling unit, so i know there is water in it....but how do i get to it? and what would prevent it from coming out of the drain plug?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[captmello]

Re: winterizing aq130c

I stuck a screwdriver in the drain **** hole of the port engine to try and free anything that may have been clogging it, but nothing!

Is the drain **** threaded into the block? If so remove it and stick your screwdriver in the hole in the block. Waters got to be in there right?

 

[mrdopes]

Re: winterizing aq130c

yup.

i did that.

I unscrewed the draincock completely and stuck a screwdriver in and moved it around, but couldn't get any water to come out.

Im thinking about blasting some air from my compressor in the hole, but I dont want to make anything worse, or damage anything.

Does anyone know of another way to drain the block?

 

[captmello]

Re: winterizing aq130c

Strange. Maybe the block drained when you drained something else. I think I would remove the thermostat housing and pour water into the engine with the drain plug out and watch for the water to drain out. If it does, case solved. If it doesn't drain, your clogged up.

Let us know what you find!

 

[mrdopes]

Re: winterizing aq130c

well, i tried the compressed air.... i tried a coat hanger, a screwdriver.... I cant get any water out of the engine. I pulled the impeller line off and put air through it, to no avail...

I figured that if compressed air wouldnt push anything out, that running water into it was useless.

The worse news is that I am heading to work now, and it is supposed to hit 29 degrees tonight. So, we'll see what happens i guess. I am hoping that some how the water drained out....if not, I guess I'll have the pleasure of learning about engine removal and reinstallation next spring.


wish me luck.

 

[captmello]

Re: winterizing aq130c

I figured that if compressed air wouldnt push anything out, that running water into it was useless.

We'll you could run a line from the water pump intake it some antifreeze and winterize that way. Might be safest for now. after filling with antifreeze pull the plug and see if antifreeze comes out. Just to see of course. don't need to drain at that point.

Don't let it freeze up if your not sure!! Put a lamp in the bulge until tomorrow!!!!

 

[captmello]

Re: winterizing aq130c

I need to correct myself, don't run the hose from the pump. I believe you'll need to pour the antifreeze in at the thermostat otherwise it will just go out the exhaust.

 

[mrdopes]

Re: winterizing aq130c

i think i may have lucked out! i just got home from work (its about 1am here now) and the temperature is above 43 F. So, looks like the forecast was wrong.

that'll buy me some more time.... im off mon-tues, so i can pull her out of storage and mess around with her some more...

i think i'll give the antifreeze suggestion a try.

should i run the antifreeze in through the water pick-up hose??

i've never winterized a boat before, so this is all new to me.

and this year i have 2 boats to worry about! i guess u can never have too many projects, huh?

thanks for your help!

 

[captmello]

Re: winterizing aq130c

i've never winterized a boat before, so this is all new to me.

Did you read the winterizing thread at the top of this forum? There's a bunch of info there.

There is more to winterizing than draining your block. However, in your case you need to figure out your drainage issues.

You need to drain water from anywhere it could be standing. Oil cooler, exhaust maifolds, Block, water pump, and any hoses holding water.

Oil cooler - fairly straight forward, I believe you found that.
Exhaust manifold - there is a plug in the bottom of your manifold that needs to be pulled and drained.
Block - Well, you know about that one.
Hoses - any hose that may have water sitting in them should be drained.

Antifreeze is not necessary if all the water is drained but a lot of people add it for piece of mind.

In your case, it sounds like you need to figure out if your block is draining on one of the engines.

At this point, I would pull the thermostat housing and pour antifreeze into the opening. See how much it takes. If it takes more than a gallon, then the block is already mostly drained. To check, after pouring in the antifreeze, open the block drain again and see if the antifreeze comes out.
If not you've got some blockage somewhere.

As I mentioned sticking the hose in antifreeze will just cycle it through the exhaust and not into the block.

Again, if your not sure if the block is empty, do the antifreeze method. Also drain your manifolds!!!(If you haven't already).

Also pull the cover off of the water pump. there could be water in there as well. If you haven't replaced the impeller in the last two years, this is the time.


Feel free to ask more questions if your unsure. There is a first time for everything!

Good luck to you.

 

[mrdopes]

Re: winterizing aq130c

Hey Capt.

I went down to the storage yard today, tools and a ladder in hand.... and I pulled the thermostat out, poured antifreeze in to the block, more than a gallon, and pulled the drainplug partially out, and antifreeze began coming out of the drain plug!

So, i am assuming that solves my drainage issue??

I also pulled the other plugs that you specified, and changed both impellers in the engines.... I changed the outdrive oil last month, and have not ran her since. Changed the motor oil and all the filters as well.

I pulled the batteries out, etc.....

So, in your opinion does it sound like she is ready for the winter??

I wanted to thank you for all of your assistance in this. Thank you very much.

 

[captmello]

Re: winterizing aq130c

So, in your opinion does it sound like she is ready for the winter??

It Does! Glad you got the drainage thing worked out.

And you drained the manifolds.

Drives are in the down position?

Now we wait patiently until spring.

I wanted to thank you for all of your assistance in this. Thank you very much.

My pleasure. Glad to help.