Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

[izaver]

Hi All,
I was reading the manual and Don's post on winterization and have a good idea of what needs to be done. Though, being a newbie in boating and winterizing for the first time, just want to make sure I'll pour antifreeze in the right hoses at the right places. Attached, please find the picture of my Mercruiser 3.0L with hose clamps marked up. I would greatly appreciate if you can indicate what clamp to remove in order to pour the antifreeze into the hose. I also read somewhere that it may not be necessary to remove thermostat housing but pour the coolant in the hose instead. Also, some sources say one should use 50/50 antifreeze, others indicate the use of propylene glycol.
Appreciate your replies.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

Remove clamp C and pour down the hose that leads to your exhaust manifold.

Remove clamp D and pour down the hose leading into the thermostat housing.

Remove clamp B to drain water from the circulating pump, then reattach.

Remove clamp A and pour down the hose leading into the circulating pump.

Of course this is after you have drained your block and manifolds of all the water inside. You can either flush most of the remaining water out with the A/F with the drains open, or close them and fill the block and manifold with A/F. That little motor shouldn't take more than a gallon or so.

The -50* A/F is fine for Raleigh.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

Nice fuel filter.... was that there when you bought the boat or did you put that in?
either way... get rid of it and replace the line over the winter.

 

[izaver]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

Thank you for your replies.
The filter was there when I bought the boat. I can't figure out the need for it on that line since the manual says "If there is any gas in that line -- replace the fuel pump". Maybe, it just filters the vapors...

 

[JustJason]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

all that filter is, is a place to leak fuel all over the engine should the fuel pump fail.

 

[rosvegas65]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

I'm trying to winterize my first boat, I've emptyed the fuel tank, refilled with fresh fuel and stabilizer, changed the oil and filter, partialy drained and topped up the drive lube, fogged the carb. and pulled each plug and fogged the cylinders. I can only find 2 drain plugs on the right side of the motor, and 1 on the top front.Are there others that are hidden, and what about the water in the leg..After draining what I have found, I blew compressed air into the holes..Can I pour rv antifreeze into the top hoses and be done?

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

Start @the highest access point (thermostat housing) and fill till it runs out the lowest point and plug then work your way up to the next plug and so on but when it reaches the pump make sure you pluu the top hose and fill it as well top off to therm housing and wait a few until it drip out the out drive and then replace therm housing and tap off outdrive intake. works for me every time but make sure you blow out with compressed air first.

 

[DK in Chicago]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

A friend of mine said all you need to do is get a 5 gal bucket of antifreeze, hook you muffs up to it instead of the hose and run it until all that comes back out is antifreeze.

????

DK

 

[Maclin]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

A friend of mine said all you need to do is get a 5 gal bucket of antifreeze, hook you muffs up to it instead of the hose and run it until all that comes back out is antifreeze.

????

DK

BUZZZZ. Totally bad advice.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

A friend of mine said all you need to do is get a 5 gal bucket of antifreeze, hook you muffs up to it instead of the hose and run it until all that comes back out is antifreeze.

????

DK

Here we go again!

Your friend is right..... technically. However that method is met with hostility here on I-boats. The only way to be sure that no water freezes in the block is to remove the water!!
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=280921

 

[DK in Chicago]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

Thanks scipper77 ! Didn't know what I was stepping into there.. lol But am appreciative of the advice.

Is there a quality winterization post for a 3.0 mercruiser w alpha1 that anyone recommends? Obv my first year at this.. Thanks 4 the help!

DK

 

[Don S]

Re: Yest another winterization question -- Mercruiser I/O 3.0L

Best to start a new thread of your own, and not just tack on to the end of a year old post of someone elses.

To answer your question, to up to the stickies at the top of this forum. All sorts of information about winterizations and other things.