Winterizing boat for the first time!

[thunked]

Hello, I am winterizing my boat for the first time! I am reading all the winterization material online however I do have a question.

I don't think my boat uses anti-freeze or liquid - I don't see any place for a "radiator" or anything like that. I think it just cycles through the engine via the outdrive and water pump? Is this unusual? So I plan on running the boat to get the oil warm, draining the oil, putting on a new oil filter, and replacing the plugs. Then I will have to find out more about this "fogging" the plugs. Is there any alternative to this or must I buy this product?

Thank you!

 

[FreshWaterLover]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

Hello, I am winterizing my boat for the first time! I am reading all the winterization material online however I do have a question.

I don't think my boat uses anti-freeze or liquid - I don't see any place for a "radiator" or anything like that. I think it just cycles through the engine via the outdrive and water pump? Is this unusual? So I plan on running the boat to get the oil warm, draining the oil, putting on a new oil filter, and replacing the plugs. Then I will have to find out more about this "fogging" the plugs. Is there any alternative to this or must I buy this product?

Thank you!

You run the antifreeze through the unit where the water goes in so that the antifreeze replaces the water. If you do not the water in the unit will freeze, expand, and crack your engine. You can just drain the engine and blow forced air through the unit to get every last drop of water out, but that's a bit risky. Anti-freeze is better. Marine antifreeze, not car antifreeze.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

First off tell us what engine you are working on. Second, you most likely have a raw water cooling system that pushes water from the outdrive impeller to the engine. Many do not use antifreeze to winterize, but you must drain the block, manifolds and any hoses that can trap water anywhere. Air cannot freeze, water does. Make sure you put oil back in the engine after your new oil filter. If you are changing plugs, that is the time to use the fogging oil in the plug holes. Run it, change oil, run it again and fog the carb, change the plugs and fog the cylinders, then drain it. Also add some fuel stabilizer before all of this so it can circulate through the fuel system. Now what about your outdrive?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

You run the antifreeze through the unit where the water goes in so that the antifreeze replaces the water. If you do not the water in the unit will freeze, expand, and crack your engine. You can just drain the engine and blow forced air through the unit to get every last drop of water out, but that's a bit risky. Anti-freeze is better. Marine antifreeze, not car antifreeze.

whatever you have, that's the most risky way to do it, chasing the water with antifreeze. draining the water out of it is the safest way to do it. if ya wanna add antifreeze that's fine, but the key is to get all the water out of it and draining it is the only way to do that.

for winterizeing, go up to the diy or adult only stickys at the top of the i/o forum and open and read the winterizing thread. also, get an oem service manual for your rig. in it you will find instructions from the mfg as to how to winterize your rig.

I don't think my boat uses anti-freeze or liquid - I don't see any place for a "radiator" or anything like that. I think it just cycles through the engine via the outdrive and water pump? Is this unusual?

yes this is the norm and called a raw water system or open cooling system. it draws water from the lake to cool the engine, they puts it back into the water via the exhaust.

the other kind is called freash water or a closed system. i know less about it, but basically, ya have a heat exchanger (like a radiator but for boats) that uses water from the lake (instead of air like a radiator) that circulates around and cools the hot antifreeze in the heat exchanger that is circulating inside the engine. sometime the manifolds are also in the system, sometimes not.

So I plan on running the boat to get the oil warm, draining the oil, putting on a new oil filter, and replacing the plugs. Then I will have to find out more about this "fogging" the plugs. Is there any alternative to this or must I buy this product?

replace the plugs next spring as yer gonna oil soak them during your fogging process. you can use fogging oil sold at yer local dealer. this is just sprayed into your carb while running around 1200rpms on the hose. ya spray it in till it starts smoking a lot then dump more in till it stalls. the alternative is to put oil inside the combustion chamber via the sparkplug holes then rotate the engine over to spread it around. the idea is that you want to lub your cylinder walls with something thick like oil that will stay on the cyl. walls so they don't rust from lack of use over the winter...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

You can just drain the engine and blow forced air through the unit to get every last drop of water out, but that's a bit risky.

huh,..??

Just running antifreeze through it almost a Guaranteed Cracked block...
Unless it's Totally Drained 1st...

Totally Draining it is the Best, Safest way of winterizing...
No need to blow out anything,...
Just Removing the Drain plugs,+ digging the crap out of the way works Just Fine....
Gravity does all the Work...

 

[QC]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

Hey thunked,

Moved this over to Inboard engine's etc. as I am guessing you are in that camp since we were looking for a radiator . . . Lots of good winterizing posts and questions over here, plus a super sticky ^^^^^^^

 

[thunked]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Lots of great information. I am going to continue on to the sticky threads with your tips fresh in mind.

The boat is a 1991 Bayliner Capri 18.5' with 4.3L. It outdrive is Mercruiser.

I need to find this engine drain plug everyone is talking about. I drained the oil out, but that's out of a house the first owner had attached to pull out through the transom drain plug.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

I need to find this engine drain plug everyone is talking about.

Ayuh,... There are Several,....
1 each side at the bottom of the Block, just above the oil pan, about mid-way the length....
1 each on the bottom of the exhaust manifolds,...
Pull the Big Hose off the circulating waterpump,....
Pull either of the Big hoses off the P/S cooler under the portside of the motor,.. If so equipped...

 

[thunked]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

Wow, thanks guys. That was actually kind of fun. Made me a lot less afraid of the engine! A few of the drain hoses had the clamps on backwards so I had to use a socket to get to them!? Got those fixed.

So I did my father in laws boat and mine. Here's what I pulled -

Pulled the top hose on both boats so release any vacuum.

Mercruiser 4.3L - 1991 Bayliner Capri 18.5
1. Pulled the hose on the bottom of the water pump. Lots of water came out.
2. Pulled the house from the heater hose to the power steering.
3. Pulled both hoses off the bottoms of each exhaust manifolds, little bit of water LOTS OF BLACK FLAKES AND TUBE FELT STIFF - BLACK STUFF broke loose out of it, felt stiff as I squeezed along it - but water did come out.
4. At the bottom of the engine midway between front and back was a colored bolt, I pulled this on both sides. This is the only bolt I could find which looked like a drain, all the others looked like they held the head on, or starter, etc.

I did not see any drain screws for the exhaust manifolds on either boat.

Volvo 271 Penta - 1988 Sunrunner
1. Pulled the hose off the bottom of the water pump, lots of water.
2. Pulled the hose on the bottom of each exhaust manifold, little bit of water.
3. On about the same position as the Mercruiser was 2 butterfly(I think that's what they're called) - I didn't even need a tool for that just twisted real hard. More water came out of those than my Mercruiser, maybe it was the order that I did it in or the position of the boat.

One thing I don't see in these winterizing guides - is it a good/bad idea to leave these hoses off? Or will condensation get in there and cause water to accumulate again? I guess there wouldn't be a benefit, since the opening would be the first part to freeze

Also - on my boat there is A LOT OF black flakes in the tubes. I pulled the exhaust manifold tube and I could feel inside the tube noticable crackly hardness, which after I squeezed up and down a lot of metal/carbon like flakes came out. I wonder if this means my exhaust flaps are bad? Lately my boat won't run in the water, I can start it in the water and it runs great but as soon as I put load on it it stalls and won't really start again unless I crank forever and ever. I am getting the carb rebuilt.

Anyways, I am going to go through the guides again and make sure I got everything. I really appreciate your help, and - I am going to winterize my boat every year from now on whether I'm in cold weather or not! I lived in California, this is the first year my boat has been in Michigan - but it's a good way to do a checkup on your cooling system and just get a general look around the engine?

Thanks again!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

3. On about the same position as the Mercruiser was 2 butterfly(I think that's what they're called) - I didn't even need a tool for that just twisted real hard. More water came out of those than my Mercruiser, maybe it was the order that I did it in or the position of the boat.

Ayuh,... The block drains are probably Plugged with Crap in the Merc...
You should poke,+ prod each,+ every drain to dig out the Crud...
Use a stout piece of wire, or a long screw.... I use a 3" SSteel deckscrew...

 

[thunked]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

Ayuh,... The block drains are probably Plugged with Crap in the Merc...
You should poke,+ prod each,+ every drain to dig out the Crud...
Use a stout piece of wire, or a long screw.... I use a 3" SSteel deckscrew...

Wow man, where do I send the check!? Just wait to cash it until I find a job or win the lotto I stuck a thin piece of metal in there and a pretty good amount of water came out. After it stopped I stuck the wire in each side just to make sure. Amazing, thanks.

The water coming out looked really clear, but towards the end of the flow, black began to come out - after it was on my finger it was more of a dark grey. It didn't smell like oil at all, more like the metal rack on a BBQ grill.

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

You run the antifreeze through the unit where the water goes in so that the antifreeze replaces the water. If you do not the water in the unit will freeze, expand, and crack your engine. You can just drain the engine and blow forced air through the unit to get every last drop of water out, but that's a bit risky. Anti-freeze is better. Marine antifreeze, not car antifreeze.

-10

If it's gonna freeze that is the surest way to do it other than doing nothing and leaving water in.

Unless it's a closed cooling system it should be dry. Air does not freeze.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

All of that rust youre talking about is fairly normal. Thats why youve got to probe the holes to make sure its not blocking the water from coming out.

On those exhaust manifolds, if it has a drain plug it will be on the bottom of the manifold. If you can get under there to see the bottom run your hand along the bottom and if it has one you will feel it. On ours its on the back of the manifold so feel back there too. Its a pretty large plug on ours and is not easy to miss. Gotta probe those holes too.

One some manifolds pulling the hose off like you did is the drain. Probe it good too(sounds like you stuck your finger in there) to make sure they do not get blocked when the water tried to drain back out.

On the stalling under load, could be a carb or fuel delivery issues. Has the boat had a tune up lately? Points, plugs, cap, fuel filter, etc?

 

[thunked]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

All of that rust youre talking about is fairly normal. Thats why youve got to probe the holes to make sure its not blocking the water from coming out.

On those exhaust manifolds, if it has a drain plug it will be on the bottom of the manifold. If you can get under there to see the bottom run your hand along the bottom and if it has one you will feel it. On ours its on the back of the manifold so feel back there too. Its a pretty large plug on ours and is not easy to miss. Gotta probe those holes too.

On the stalling under load, could be a carb or fuel delivery issues. Has the boat had a tune up lately? Points, plugs, cap, fuel filter, etc?

One of the hoses goes to what looks like oil/power steering heater adapter before going out the back of the boat. I am unable to get access to pull either side of the hose off this line. Is it OK if I pour antifreeze down this tube from the splitter until it flushes out the back?? I don't see it going into the engine or anything, just looks like the oil/power steering heater line that the gentleman mentioned a few posts ago.


I felt all around the bottom of the manifolds and didn't feel any bolts other than the ones that hold it in. On the side of the riser? there is two bolts on either side which look similar to the drains, however I pulled one and probed and nothing came out at at all.

The water goes in to the bottom of the manifolds on this, so that would make sense to drain from there.

In response to the carb question -Well this is going to sound silly - but we took off the carb a while ago because it wasn't running, and didn't buy a new gasket to replace where it connects to the engine. There was visible holes there and most embarrassingly I lost one of the 4 nuts for it, so it wasn't even fully seated. I was only in town with my boat for a day, so I was just trying to get it running/see if it ran in the water. I am going to get a carb kit and replace the bottom, or take it in and get it fully rebuilt. The rest of the carb still has factory paint over all the bolts, so I'm thinking maybe those don't need to be replaced.

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

After reading many threads (including this one) on winterizing, I have a couple of questions that may or may not be dumb, so forgive me if I am repetative or ignorant (first year owning a boat):

1) After using a screw, wire, etc to "scrape" out any blockages and release water, is there anyone that has though of using a "turkey baster" or one of things that you use on babies to suck out their snot to further get the water out? I wouldn't think this would hurt anything, but may help get every last drop out. Also, could you use it in the reverse fashion to inject antifreeze (if so desired) into the tubes, valves, etc.?

2) I have purchased fogging oil spray and taking off the 4 spark plugs will be easy to spray directly into the chambers. My question here is if I should spray into the spark plug chambers before or after I fog the carb and the engine stalls out?

3) When you say "spray the fogging oil into the carb," (and here's the possible dumb question), where exactly should I spray it into the carb? Should I just pop off the air filter thing and spray into it right there? I always thought getting liquids of any type into the carb was bad...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

After reading many threads (including this one) on winterizing, I have a couple of questions that may or may not be dumb, so forgive me if I am repetative or ignorant (first year owning a boat):

1) After using a screw, wire, etc to "scrape" out any blockages and release water, is there anyone that has though of using a "turkey baster" or one of things that you use on babies to suck out their snot to further get the water out? I wouldn't think this would hurt anything, but may help get every last drop out. Also, could you use it in the reverse fashion to inject antifreeze (if so desired) into the tubes, valves, etc.?

2) I have purchased fogging oil spray and taking off the 4 spark plugs will be easy to spray directly into the chambers. My question here is if I should spray into the spark plug chambers before or after I fog the carb and the engine stalls out?

3) When you say "spray the fogging oil into the carb," (and here's the possible dumb question), where exactly should I spray it into the carb? Should I just pop off the air filter thing and spray into it right there? I always thought getting liquids of any type into the carb was bad...

Ayuh,.... #1,... Gravity does the work, No need for a turkey baster...
#2,...Fog the carb, then after shut-down pull the plugs for fogging there,.. otherwise it burns off as soon as the motor's Runnin'...
#3,.. Yes, right down the Big Hole in the middle,.. Down the Throat...

Btw,... dumping water down that hole with the motor Running is how it's Decarbonized...

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

You run the antifreeze through the unit where the water goes in so that the antifreeze replaces the water. If you do not the water in the unit will freeze, expand, and crack your engine. You can just drain the engine and blow forced air through the unit to get every last drop of water out, but that's a bit risky. Anti-freeze is better. Marine antifreeze, not car antifreeze.

My OMC factory service manual specifies draining the block and outdrive for winter, and makes no mention of antifreeze. Just draining is good enough for the manufacturer.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

This debate has been going on since I joined this forum and it's just a matter of prefference to the individual. With that being said I preffer to add A/F and fill all cavities of my power plant for the extra protection against freeze and corrosion. But both ways work fine as it has been mentioned more times than I can count air doesn't freeze but for that to work get all the water out PERIOD! and for gods sake do not try to suck A/F up through the outdrive via muffs to winterize because come spring you'll have a very expensive and un wanted surprise.

 

[WorldOfJohnboy]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

My OMC factory service manual specifies draining the block and outdrive for winter, and makes no mention of antifreeze. Just draining is good enough for the manufacturer.

My Mercruiser manual states to put antifreeze in the manifold (I think that's what it said, without looking). I took off some of the tubes and "flushed" the system with 50/50 antifreeze. I was going to leave it completely empty but decided to close the valves and fill what I could with AF. Someone said "air can't freeze" but moisture in the air does freeze. I'd rather have it be a mixture of water vapor and AF if that's the case.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing boat for the first time!

but moisture in the air does freeze.

Ayuh,... That's called frost,+ really is quite irrevelant to this topic...

In order for Ice to crack anything, whatever the water is in must be Full, or nearly so...