You wouldn't have to winterize.... until the power goes out.
Outdrive spews water when Muffed
- Thread starter Arminius
- Start date
Arminius
Well-Known Member
- Oct 30, 2019
- 1,068
- Boat Info
- Bowrider 200 Select, 2003
- Engines
- 5.0L MPI, 260 hp w/Alpha 1 Drive
I intend to drain the block to winterize as usual. I can imagine an owner who neglected winterization but suddenly heard about an unexpected cold front coming in. This magnetic heater might be a temporary measure.
GypsmJim
Well-Known Member
- Aug 8, 2018
- 1,178
- Boat Info
- '19 SPX 190 OB, 150 & 5 Mercs
'17 Whaler 150 Montauk
'15 Yamaha FXHO
'60 Mulray Dinghy
'52 Lyman 15'
- Engines
- Mercury 150 4-stroke
72 Outboards representing 12 manufacturers
* Always put the drive all the way down on the muffs. If need be, drop the trailer tongue.
* 5 min on the muffs is sufficient to heat the oil for changing.
* Always change the oil in the Fall as part of winterization.
* Never suck oil out of the dipstick. Install a drain kit on the pan. The hose is attached to the Garboard drain plug and will come out the port as the plug is removed. Gravity removes all the sludge.
* Never put an electric heater in the bilge. (OMG)
* 5 min on the muffs is sufficient to heat the oil for changing.
* Always change the oil in the Fall as part of winterization.
* Never suck oil out of the dipstick. Install a drain kit on the pan. The hose is attached to the Garboard drain plug and will come out the port as the plug is removed. Gravity removes all the sludge.
* Never put an electric heater in the bilge. (OMG)
GypsmJim
Well-Known Member
- Aug 8, 2018
- 1,178
- Boat Info
- '19 SPX 190 OB, 150 & 5 Mercs
'17 Whaler 150 Montauk
'15 Yamaha FXHO
'60 Mulray Dinghy
'52 Lyman 15'
- Engines
- Mercury 150 4-stroke
72 Outboards representing 12 manufacturers
I'm an Engineer in charge of a Hundred Million Dollar Factory. Failure is not an option. We look at possible scenarios, even if the failure is only one in a million, and thus mitigate any possible failure modes.
Forget the factory....pfffft. The boat is in my freaking garage.
Is your heater explosion proof? The engine compartment is filled with gasoline and oil. As Harry said: "Are ya feeling lucky?"
I realize many people put open light bulbs in the bilge. Are ya kidding me? Common sense is gone.
That's my opinion. Now go and do it. You'll probably never have a problem. If you do I guarandamntee you the answer will be "I didn't know", or "I didn't think".
On another note, I omitted one point in my original post. On the muffs most of the water comes out the top of the outdrive. Same when running. The engine exhaust fumes are what comes out the prop.
FYI, there ARE electric heaters that are approved for use in the bilge - and designed specifically for that purpose.
Nothing wrong with sucking the oil out of the dipstick tube... but draining through the oil pan is certainly better - but it needs to get REALLY warm to do that. HOWEVER... "adding" an oil pan drain kit is whole lot eaiser to recommend on a forum than actually doing it. In nearly all cases, the engine has to be pulled to do so.
Nothing wrong with sucking the oil out of the dipstick tube... but draining through the oil pan is certainly better - but it needs to get REALLY warm to do that. HOWEVER... "adding" an oil pan drain kit is whole lot eaiser to recommend on a forum than actually doing it. In nearly all cases, the engine has to be pulled to do so.