Did I Do It Right??

[capecodcruiser]

Time to winterize my 2001 310 with Mercruiser 350's, FWC and vdrives. After searching on here for best methods of doing the engines, and not finding anything specific(I know it is there, just couldn't find it)I did what sounded right to me. I hope I did it right and that some of you can confirm or shoot me down. I took the tops of the strainers, put a large 2" hose in and had my wife start the motors while I poured 3 gallons of antifreeze in. My kids were on the outside and told me when I had all "pink" coming out of the exhaust. To me, it should be all set. Just enough to fill the heat exchanger and mufflers. Did this on the 2 engines and the generator. Please give me your thoughts. Thanks

 

[Alex F]

I'm using about 6-7gallons to see the pink comes out of the exhaust. IMO, 3 gallons is just not enough for each main. For genny it's fine.

 

[Richcny]

Hi:

I have been winterizing my fresh water coooled inboards the same way for the last 20 years and have not had a problem. Although I usually put in 5-6 gallons of the pink stuff to be on the safe side and run the engine until it has reached the normal operating temperature beforehand. I have never drained the blocks since it was a closed cooling system - maybe I've just been lucky.

 

[Richcny]

You're right. I forgot about that!

 

[capecodcruiser]

OK, I didn't give enough information. When I said "FWC", I meant it is a closed ciooling system. I just need to get AF into the heat exchanger.manifolds, muffler. The blocks are already filled with it's own AF. , As far as quantity, as long as I have plenty of pink coming out of the exhaust, that is all I am worried about. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I appreciate it. And the test will be next spring! I am confident that I have done it correctly.

 

[Alex F]

Scott,

Are you suggesting to drain the pink from the muffs? What's the point? If the antifreeze adds a risk of corrosion, then it shouldn't be even sitting in the block all winter long. What am I missing?

 

[Great lakes pirate]

Scott,

Where might I find the drain on my genny fiberglass muffler? I would like to drain the muffs next time I get to the boat.

 

[capecodcruiser]

I drained the saltwater out of the mufflers and figure if pink is coming out the exhaust ports, it is in the muffs and that should be fine

 

[Alex F]

....Alex. Fiberglass doesn't corrode. You do knowthat draining the mufflers will not drain the engine passages, right????????????

Sure...of course.

....
I suggest it because the mufflers can hold several gallons of water, and if he didn't get enough antifreeze into them and out the side, the antifreeze may not be potent enough to prevent freezing.

This was my concern based on capecodcruiser's post, in general. I don't know how many gallons FWC engines require but 3 gallons sounds too low. It's possible that the pink that was observed from exhaust wasn't pink enough. So, we're on the same page here.

....Why ya busting my chops man?

:lol: ...not at all. I just though you had a new trick or tip that I should pickup. :lol:

But seriosly, when I winterize my rig I don't save on pink as I see no point saving extra $3, instead I prefer to add extra gallon just ot be sure I see clear pink coming out of everything. When I see clear pink coming out from the exhaust this tells me that everything (block, all the pumps and muffs) are filled with pink. So, if I drain the muffs it makes no difference if they're filled with pink or left empty. But, I prefer to have them filled.

As far as I know the plug is there for folks that use the "hose method" and as you said draining the muffs is required.

 

[Alex F]

Scott,

I try to keep things simple. I tune my method and stick with what works for me the best. This way I have a historical data and know exactly what to expect. So, I just go trough my check list until i'm done. I use 27-28 gallons do have my 320 fully winterized. Some people use may be half of that amount of pink on larger boats, but we all have different ways of doing things and level of acceptance.

 

[CJ Martin]

Don't forget your A/C, freshwater systems and A/C drain/shower sumpbox.

Basically though you did it right, pretty much the same way I do it except I've installed flush kits for both mains as well as the genset and A/C.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|311|314198&id=211488

Makes life easier, no tools required, no hoses to pull. I go through about 5 gallons of pink per main (running until pink is coming out of the exhaust) and maybe 3 gallons for the genset and A/C (total for both, with any excess going into the bilge and running through those pumps).

I blow out my freshwater lines with air (connected to the transom water inlet), drain the water tank and water heater and bypass the water heater. A couple of gallons of pink go into the freshwater tank and I flush the head until pink fills the bowl. Another gallon goes down the galley/head sink drains and into the A/C pan - total is about 16 gallons.

-CJ

 

[capecodcruiser]

CJ, thanks for the post. I have done all the other fresh water systems, but still need to do the AC, planned for this week. The one thing I am curious about is why bypass the waterheater? It is run off my closed cooling system from the engines, so should be filled with antifreeze from the motors cooling system. I understand to drain the tank and have, but the bypass makes me wonder what that is all about. Thanks