'06 260 Winterization

[ssupko]

Probably should ask someone in the SR Service Department this, as I may be opening myself up for a verbal beating, but with the fresh water, "inclosed", cooling system on the 350 MAG w/ Horizon System, what keeps that fresh water from freezing in the cold months? Or is this water removed when pumped out?

 

[estebanj]

On a closed cooled engine, you need to remove the water and/or run antifreeze through the raw water components (risers, elbows).

On your engine, probably easiest way is to feed pink antifreeze through the water intake in the lower unit.

Esteban

 

[Dave S]

The "enclosed" part of the fresh water system which cools the engine has permanent antifreeze so the engine block itself is protected from freezing. But sea water is circulated thru the raw water pump, the heat exchanger, and the exhaust system and that water stays in the system unless you drain it. If you keep your boat in the water year round, a Bilge Heater is adequate to keep the raw water from freezing. If the boat is stored out of the water, then the sea water system needs to be drained and/or winterized.

At this point in time if you did not winterize and your boat is stored out of the water you may have some freeze damage.

 

[ssupko]

Thanks guys. I did install a bilge heater in November, but decided to pull anyway first of the year, and did at that time winterize everything. Had a buddy that works for a marine engine manufacture help me through the entire thing. (Won't say who he works for, don't want to get him in trouble for working on a Merc. - Though he did educate me on how much easier it was to work on his brand, as the entire engine is colored red to easier identification of the engine itself ) Nonetheless, I do remember our conversation about how little antifreeze we were using due to the fresh water cooled system, but never thought to ask why that was not at risk of freezing. Antifreeze in the inclosed fresh water system makes total sense.

Thanks again!

 

[Dave S]

Sounds like it was done correctly.