4.3 MPI Alpha Winterize

[77vetter]

Last fall I winterized my "new" 2005 Sea Ray 200 Sport with the 4.3 MPI Mercruiser. I started it and ran it to temp so thermostat was open. Drained the system using Single Point Drain and then closed the system and ran it again pumping in marine antifreeze.

I have seen a couple posts that people say you need to drain the block as well, but I am not sure where those drain ports are, I only have the two blue plugs on mine and nothing on the block that I am aware of. Does anyone have pictures/videos of how to drain the block apart from the Single Point Drain? I am a visual person so need some pictures

Also I had a crack in the drain housing so took it to my mechanic last week and he replaced it and noticed the rod for the single point drain was bent so he tried to straighten it as much as possible. But he told me that the blue plug on that bottom drain housing can be used without having to turn open the single point drain handle. By taking that plug out it will drain even though you don't open the single point drain. He said I should do that do avoid further damage on the Single Point drain rod. Is that an accurate statement?

Thanks!

 

[Fill Ess]

If you watch this he shows you where the drains are near the beginning (these are MPI 5.0s)

 

[Lazy Daze]

On the water distribution manifold, look at the small hoses coming off it - they'll go the block drains. Those hoses can get clogged with sand/silt/scaling/whatever - so sometimes, even though you THINK you drained it properly using the blue handle (or blue plug), you really didn't get all the water out. And then, when you introduce AF, you end up with "some" mix of water and AF. So you should really pull the fitting off the block drains (and manifolds) and "clear" the holes to make sure everything is fully drained. Short of that, you're taking a bit of chance.

Concerning your last paragraph... yes. The blue handle does the exact same thing that the blue plug does - all the handle does is just makes it more convenient.

 

[77vetter]

On the water distribution manifold, look at the small hoses coming off it - they'll go the block drains. Those hoses can get clogged with sand/silt/scaling/whatever - so sometimes, even though you THINK you drained it properly using the blue handle (or blue plug), you really didn't get all the water out. And then, when you introduce AF, you end up with "some" mix of water and AF. So you should really pull the fitting off the block drains (and manifolds) and "clear" the holes to make sure everything is fully drained. Short of that, you're taking a bit of chance.

Concerning your last paragraph... yes. The blue handle does the exact same thing that the blue plug does - all the handle does is just makes it more convenient.

Great, thanks for the confirmation and additional information, much appreciated!

 

[Espos4]

Here’s a picture of the 2 small hoses from the block drains attached to the pipe under the front of the motor below the crankshaft pulley on a 350 MAG.

I never trust them to drain the block for winterization. I always remove them and alternate blowing compressed air then Water into them until they run clear.

 

[Little Ducky]

Do you trailer or is it in a wet slip?