Adding Antifreeze to a pair of 3126's

[SEYachts]

:huh:Hi this is the first year i have this boat and I am looking to winterize but don't know where to start any suggestions?

 

[Dancin Dave]

Paul, did you complete the oil and filter changes, fuel filter changes, and trani fluid change?

 

[SEYachts]

No but when I had these engines surveyed by CAT the mechanic siad they just changes the oil so I wasn't able to get a good oil analysis. I only have the boat a few months and its gonna get pretty cold next week so either I put an oil heater in the bilge or hurry up and winterize these engine but I don't know where to add the antifreeze at?

 

[Girlfriend III]

Paul, Shut off the seacocks to both engines. Open the strainers and remove strainers, clean them while out. Since these are closed systems all you need to do is flush the water out of the raw water side. It will take 7 gallons an engine. You can buy a cap for the strainer with a hose fitting on it and syphon from the 5 gallon bucket while adding 2 more gallons as the engine sucks it through. When you see the antifreeze come out of the exhaust, shut the engine down and you are done. Repeat on other engine. Before I purchased the cap with hose fitting I have poured it straight from the bucket into the strainer and had the 2 gallon jugs ready. You must also do the generator the same way, along with the AC. The water system needs to be drained and water heater emptied or by passed. After all water is out fill the on board water tank with pink antifreeze and start pumping it through all water outlets. You will also need to pump into your dock water outlet. Don't forget ice maker, anchor wash down, fresh water wash down... Good Luck! Ask a friend to help, it makes it much easier!

 

[saltydogz]

Girlfriend III...where did you get the cap for the strainer with a hose fitting on it?

 

[Dancin Dave]

What girlfriend said, only I take it a step further and disconnect the raw water hoses from the seacocks allowing all the seawater to drain out add some pink into the seacocks, put it back together,clean and vac or drain the strainer add a gallon to the strainer and then run 9 gallons thru each cat.


You really should change the oil even after only 3 months use.

 

[SEYachts]

Hey Girlfriend, by the way where did you pick up that adapter? and again thanks for the info!

 

[Boatdave]

I always blow air back through the seacocks until you hear the bubbles coming from under the boat. I've witnessed a seacock that froze and split. Not a pretty sight especially when it's 10 degrees outside.

 

[Girlfriend III]

I bought the adapter in the West Marine On line catalog. It was around $105...they DO NOT carry in their stores.
Dave, since I store the boat on land during winter, after she's on land I go in and open the sea cocks back up, this will drain any water from them that would reside in area from strainer to seacock, I then leave them all open for the winter...

 

[Warren]

All good advice here. Paul please do not forget to winterize the heads/holding tank/mascerator. After multiple water flushing and pump-outs before haul, you will winterize the vacuflush and holding tank on the hard. Pretty simple - I put 1-2 gallons of antifreeze into each toilet AFTER you have flushed pink through the water system and into the toilet bowls. When you have 3-4 gal. of antifreeze in the holding tank turn on the mascerator to clear. As with other through-hulls leave the mascerator outlet open during the winter. Done.
Warren