4.3 Winterization question

[175BR4.3]

Well, its starting to cool down here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, so i have been thinking its almost time to put the boat away for the winter. Last year was my first year with this boat, and after reading posts on here i was able to winterize it myself.

Heres what i did, i added a valve to a 5 gal. pail......filled it full of pink antifreeze, attached it to the muffs via a hose, and ran about 3 gallons through the motor. I then pulled all four drain plugs on the motor.

I was thinking, and my question is, whats the purpose of pulling the plugs, after running the anti freeze through the motor? If the antifreeze displaces any water in the block, and will not freeze, why do you have to drain the anti freeze out?...The only reason i ask is 2 of the plugs are a major pain in the arse to get to.

thanks

 

[Lazy Daze]

175: You're correct in your line of thinking that there is no benefit in pulling the plugs after antifreeze.

I agree with everything Scott said. The best way is to drop the water, after fogging, then pull hoses to fill with pink. Pulling the hoses is basically the same as removing t-stat housing. I just keep the block hose higher than the housing and fill until it backs up.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Here's what I do.

Hook the muffs up to fresh water and run until I reach temp (wash the engine out). Drain the block, put some fogging junk in the fuel filter, then run 5 gallons of blue (everyone calls it pink around here). Then pull the hoses and top off.

 

[Daniel P Thomas]

Scott
Where are you storing this winter.
Not that I want to think about it right now?

Dan

 

[Daniel P Thomas]

Scott

Still not sure where I am going.
I can winterize my water system, airs and generator, but an hesitant about the motors.

Trying to work a deal with Skyway Storage to go heated indoors again.

Dan

 

[175BR4.3]

Thanks everyone!! I'm not sure where i read that i needed to drain the block..........It may have been me improperly interpreting something i read somewhere. Also good idea on the -100 antifreeze until searching these forums yesterday i did't know it even existed. I will definately be using that this year.

 

[starve rock]

Hi, were i come from il. river ottawa we pull plugs and hoses
run motor and fog until it stops no anti frez. good luck on your choice:thumbsup:

 

[175BR4.3]

I'd rather be safe then sorry!! It's not uncommon to see -30 below..............and at times thats without the wind chill!!

 

[Heavy310]

Glad to see I'm not the only one prepping for another hard Mid-west winter. Great post. I've always done my own winterization and have never throught about pulling the thermostat housing to insure that anti-freeze made in thru. Thanks Scott. I pull the plugs and hoses that I can get to and then run -60 thru (about 3+ gallons) and fog them til they shut down. Here in the D every little bit helps. Last here a guy a couple slips down failed to winterize before the first hard freeze and ended up replacing "both" engines. wheeew