Hello All, dumb question. Winterizing the engines on my 1996 330 Sundancer for the first time and ran 5 gallons of antifreeze through each engine, the issue is that the antifreeze all came out the underwater exhaust torpedo and none through the sides above water. Is this normal or is it a concern? Thanks.
Winterizing engines
- Thread starter Lou R
- Start date
Did you drain things completely, first? What type of mufflers do you have... did you drain those, too? Also drained the raw water pump? And then poked the holes to ensure they didn't get clogged before/during the draining?
But... path of least resistance.
No I did not drain first, should I? I was under the impression that running antifreeze through the engine would do the trick. So seeing antifreeze through the underwater exhaust just means it went to the path of least resistance. Thanks for the help!
Do you have a closed cooling system or a open cooling system?
But, yes, if you don't first drain the entire system you end up with "some" mix of water and AF throughout. It could be a higher or a lower % mix at different places. There's really no way to tell if the engine/exhaust/other components will be protected if you don't drain. ALWAYS drain first.
But, yes, if you don't first drain the entire system you end up with "some" mix of water and AF throughout. It could be a higher or a lower % mix at different places. There's really no way to tell if the engine/exhaust/other components will be protected if you don't drain. ALWAYS drain first.
RollerCoastr
Well-Known Member
- Nov 15, 2007
- 3,884
- Boat Info
- 1997 400DA
340HP 7.4 Mercruiser Bluewaters
Garmin 741, 742, 8212, 24HD, Intellian I2
- Engines
- 1999 280BR
Twin 250HP Merc 350 Alpha Ones
Yep. On the hard, the path of least resistance is the underwater ports because of how the smaller side-discharge is routed.
While floating, the lower part of tubes going to the underwater ports are full of seawater, so there's more resistance and exhaust gas and water will find the side discharge.
That makes a lot of sense, I appreciate the insight. It’s a closed cooling system. Glad for this sight and your help. Have a good holiday.
Appreciate the help, now it makes sense. Happy holidays.
Right back atcha!
So with a closed cooling system it's obviously simpler. And since that 5 gallons never went through the engines, and 5 gallons is more than double what you'd need for the intake, coolers, heat exchanger and exhaust manifolds (and probably even the muflers), you're "probably" fine. But note I didn't say "definitely"
"If it were me"... I'd give it a redo. The cost/time of some more AF (after draining) is well worth the piece of mind for the Winter and the "guarantee" that the system is safe.
