Winterizing in Austin

[79camaro]

I've read some threads about winterizing in Texas, but they were all pretty outdated so I thought I'd get some more advice. I have a 3.0-liter, 135 horsepower Mercruiser. It doesn't get that cold here in Austin, maybe a few days of freezing per year but still cold enough to crack blocks every few years. I still want to use the boat in the winter so I don't want to completely pack it up. What's my best bet for winterizing so it's still useable? I leave it covered outside so I am guessing I need to do something? I also have a 78 Mercury900 outboard that's never been winterized and it totally fine. I know they are different beasts so I need some advice from y'all with I/O's
Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

3.0-liter, 135 horsepower Mercruiser.

Ayuh,... That motor's been 'round for over 40 years,...
But, generally speakin',...

The absolute Minimum ya oughta be doin' is Drainin' the block, manifold, 'n the Big hose on the circulating waterpump at the front of the motor...
The block, 'n manifold drains are on the portside of the motor, down low on the block, 'n on the bottom of the manifold..
'n store with the drive as Low as possible....

yer outboard drains naturally when stored upright....

 

[79camaro]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

That's kinda what I've been thinking. I still want to use it, do you think this is enough?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

imho.
draining the block and manifold as bondo says is enough. fwiw, that's all i've done to mine and it freezes hard here.
if ya wanna go further. do your yearly pm. maybe fog the cyl. if it's gonna sit a long time too. the maint. schedule can be found in the oem service manual. you can look at the s/m here. just look up your engine/drive combo. also fwiw. i R&R my impeller yearly. alpha1 impellers seem fragil to me and a fresh one beginning every season makes me feel better.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

79camero-- I just drain my block & hoses-power steering manifolds-lower unit needs to be fully down-make sure it is drained- it takes a few minutes but piece of mind-- it will be 68 degrees Sunday--kinda tempting!

 

[bigbob_FTW]

That's kinda what I've been thinking. I still want to use it, do you think this is enough?

That's all I do in fort worth. Never had an issue.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

 

[79camaro]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

Any tips on finding the drain plugs on a 2003 mercruiser 3.0? This is my first I/O board.

Thanks all!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

Any tips on finding the drain plugs on a 2003 mercruiser 3.0? This is my first I/O board.

Thanks all!

Ayuh,.... Did ya read post #2,..??

 

[ziggy]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

to elaborate on post #2... see attachment. attachment from s/m 26 pp 1B-23. be sure and note item #3 in the attachment about using a stiff wire to ream out the drain holes while your draining it.
also, i suppose ya could have the single point drain system. looks like ya take the t handle loose and put it below the drain points, then it drains.
ya might go here. you'll find the mercruiser service manuals. one of them applies (i think #26) to your rig. it has the facts about your systems in it.

 

[79camaro]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

wow perfect thanks! I wasn't exactly sure that was it. Luckily they had these nice little clasps that made it a cinch to pull out. Is there anything I need to do before starting it next time now that it's empty?

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

Nope, just put the plugs back in and start it up, the pump in the drive fill the engine back up with no problem. When you drain it, you should remove the large hose on the engines circulation pump and drain it too.

 

[79camaro]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

Thanks. I did take off the big hose and it was empty, at first I thought the springs in it was ice, boy was I happy to find they were springs! Thanks everyone, I hope I can pay it forward.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Winterizing in Austin

Try to keep 100% gasoline in the tank, and not the quick breaking down 90%/10% gas/ethanol mixture.
Drain the block like mentioned above, and the exhaust manifold. You can fog the engine, but it's probably not needed if stored inside.
Put a Battery Tender on your battery, and leave it connected all Winter.
Before you go to the lake the first time, put a water muff on the outdrive, and get the engine running.

On replacing the water pump impeller--yearly replacement is not really required in fresh water. You do need to drain the lower unit grease yearly looking for "milk" indicating a seal problem. It's just a $8 20 minute job--easily done by anyone.

Winterizing is an opportunity for a quick $200 profit for boat dealers and marinas. To someone that's a little handy, it's $200 profit for 30 minutes of their Fall Saturday.