Fog & Antifreeze or no-Fog & no-Antifireeze

[SeaRay200]

I still want to use my boat this winter because I don't mind boating in the 50s or upper 40s. Call me crazy, but I love boating and I used to ride my wave runner when it was that cold.

Ok. So I have the Three Point Drain system on my 5.0MPI. I pulled all the drain plugs tonight because I was getting very in the low 20's tonight. This seemed very easy to do as my dealer charges $150 to winterize it. I did everything exactly per the Mercruiser manual that came with the boat.

My three questions are:

1) Should I still run antifreeze through it or is it unecessary if you pull all the plugs and leave them out?

2) If I plan on using it once or twice per month during the winter do I need to fog it as I plan on still using it?

3) If you drain all the water out of the motor then when do you run the antifreeze through it? Do you first get it up to temp (open thermostat) and then drain the hot water out of it or what do you do? If you do this then don't you get burned by 150 degree water??? The Mercruiser manual states nothing about this antifreeze procedure accept for extra assurance against freezing and rust.

Apprecaite your feedback!

 

[Sea Ray King]

See below:

1) Should I still run antifreeze through it or is it unecessary if you pull all the plugs and leave them out?

With an empty block, you can have corrosion build up inside the block, manifolds, risers, etc...

2) If I plan on using it once or twice per month during the winter do I need to fog it as I plan on still using it?

???

3) If you drain all the water out of the motor then when do you run the antifreeze through it? Do you first get it up to temp (open thermostat) and then drain the hot water out of it or what do you do? If you do this then don't you get burned by 150 degree water??? The Mercruiser manual states nothing about this antifreeze procedure accept for extra assurance against freezing and rust.

After draining all the pretty blue plugs, I remove the hoses from the thermostatat housing and start filling small to big then reattach them. If it drained well and you filled the right hoses it will take ~ 4 Gallons of A/F.

Apprecaite your feedback!

MJK

 

[Taradise]

first ? - is the boat sitting on a trailer while you are not using it? This makes a big difference to what temps the bildge will see...

If you are gonig to run the boat at least once every 45-60 days then you dont need to fog it.

just get the motor up to temp...pull them plugs...add antifreeze to it

to add antifreeze, I have a 5 gal gas can that has only had antifreeze in it attached to a garden hose and the 'dog ears' that go on the out drive water pickup. There is a nozzle you can buy (I think it is a raditor nozzle) that you can attach between the can and the hose so when you turn the gas can upside down the antifreeze doesnot start flowing until you twist that nozzle. the can needs to be above the outdrive for the motor to suck up the antifreeze properly. Once the antifreeze starts spitting out the exhaust port then the motor is full of antifreeze. Thats how I do my 240SD with a 350mag. I use mine boat all winter but sometimes it does sit for a 1-1 1/2 months. I have not have any issues.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Not an expert here...

I have never fogged and have never had a problem not doing so.

I would think even with draining there is still some water left behind that could freeze. Not sure it's enough to expand and crack anything though. This to me is one of those 'piece of mind' things. Do what feels right, maybe a little more, so you are not at home wondering "if".

 

[Taradise]

well said Mrs Robinson!

 

[Luckydogs]

I have never added AF to my engines; just drain, bump and leave it open until next use. If I wanted to add AF this year using 727's method; I'm not sure what hoses to fill, anyone have a pic of a 4.3L with those little red arrows pointing to the correct hoses

 

[SeaRay200]

I appreciate all your advice. I have done everything to the T per the Mercruiser manual including turning the engine over to purge the sea water pump. I also spoke to them today and they stated to do everything per the manual and leave the 4 plugs out and tape them to the steering wheel. I am looking forward to actually using my boat all year. I am sure that will do more for corrosion than being forced not to use it!!!!!

What good is it having the bow block off door if you can't use the dam thing during the winter?!!!!!!