Rookie mistake?

Tclark18

Tclark18

Member
Jul 29, 2020
55
Long Island, NY
Boat Info
2001 Sea Ray Weekender 225
Engines
5.0 EFI Mercruiser Alpha Gen 2 O/D
OK, so I have fully drained my merc 5.0 305 efi. Did it by the book, removed all blue plugs, poked wire in all openings and seems to have drained perfect. After all water was removed I then poured 3/4 gal AF through the water intake hose that comes into the thermostat to flush the cool fuel and power steering cooler. I did this because I have no drain plug on the cool fuel. After pouring I did see perfect pink coming out the outdrive intake. So all good?
I then Poured more AF in the large hose for water circ pump and witnessed pink coming out both sides of block. Did the same with exhaust manifold hoses, pink came out. Sooo. I have 2 questions, I know there is a lot of back and forth on putting plugs back in and filling up with AF or leaving it open to just have air in block and manifolds. What should I do???
My rookie mistake is I bumped the engine to have any residual af or water spit out of water recirc pump, well engine started, I shut down immediately, ran for 3 sec tops......Did I ruin impeller?....
 
Tclark18 said:
OK, so I have fully drained my merc 5.0 305 efi. Did it by the book, removed all blue plugs, poked wire in all openings and seems to have drained perfect. After all water was removed I then poured 3/4 gal AF through the water intake hose that comes into the thermostat to flush the cool fuel and power steering cooler. I did this because I have no drain plug on the cool fuel. After pouring I did see perfect pink coming out the outdrive intake. So all good?
I then Poured more AF in the large hose for water circ pump and witnessed pink coming out both sides of block. Did the same with exhaust manifold hoses, pink came out. Sooo. I have 2 questions, I know there is a lot of back and forth on putting plugs back in and filling up with AF or leaving it open to just have air in block and manifolds. What should I do???
My rookie mistake is I bumped the engine to have any residual af or water spit out of water recirc pump, well engine started, I shut down immediately, ran for 3 sec tops......Did I ruin impeller?....
Click to expand...

Impeller is probably fine unless it was old to begin with. The other methodology is sound, I used to leave the plugs in so the block was full of AF. My theory was if there was low spots in the manifold or block holding water they would be diluted by the AF
 
Strecker25 said:
Impeller is probably fine unless it was old to begin with. The other methodology is sound, I used to leave the plugs in so the block was full of AF. My theory was if there was low spots in the manifold or block holding water they would be diluted by the AF
Click to expand...
Water pump is new last year........Thanks for your reply.
 
Tclark18 said:
OK, so I have fully drained my merc 5.0 305 efi. Did it by the book, removed all blue plugs, poked wire in all openings and seems to have drained perfect. After all water was removed I then poured 3/4 gal AF through the water intake hose that comes into the thermostat to flush the cool fuel and power steering cooler. I did this because I have no drain plug on the cool fuel. After pouring I did see perfect pink coming out the outdrive intake. So all good?
I then Poured more AF in the large hose for water circ pump and witnessed pink coming out both sides of block. Did the same with exhaust manifold hoses, pink came out. Sooo. I have 2 questions, I know there is a lot of back and forth on putting plugs back in and filling up with AF or leaving it open to just have air in block and manifolds. What should I do???
My rookie mistake is I bumped the engine to have any residual af or water spit out of water recirc pump, well engine started, I shut down immediately, ran for 3 sec tops......Did I ruin impeller?....
Click to expand...

Pull the kill cord next time you bump the starter and it won't allow it to start. Your impeller is likely fine.
 
Tclark18 said:
Same with fuel tank?.....Are you referring to stabilizer and run through system?
Click to expand...
No. I was referring to making sure you store it with a full tank of fuel. As long as you use non ethanol, you don't need stabilizer treatment.
Being full stops condensation from becoming an issue.
 
New pump, you’ll be fine. When your block is drained, and you “Summerize” it’ll take a couple of seconds for water to get to the pump from the muffs/hose coming from the drive anyway.
There’s the theory on other sites of “Air Don’t Freeze”, but I agree with leaving AF in the block to inhibit corrosion and mix with any potential water in the water jackets.

I used to Winterize this lady’s boat after her divorce, and the procedure was to just pull the plugs and that’s it - let it drain and sit. No AF. Never had an issue.
 
OllieC said:
New pump, you’ll be fine. When your block is drained, and you “Summerize” it’ll take a couple of seconds for water to get to the pump from the muffs/hose coming from the drive anyway.
There’s the theory on other sites of “Air Don’t Freeze”, but I agree with leaving AF in the block to inhibit corrosion and mix with any potential water in the water jackets.

I used to Winterize this lady’s boat after her divorce, and the procedure was to just pull the plugs and that’s it - let it drain and sit. No AF. Never had an issue.
Click to expand...
Nice boat!!!...Thanks for the response....I am gonna drop some AF in just for good measure.........
 
Yup, it's only "better" to leave the AF in there. Don't forget to fill up the manifolds, too.

FYI, you should have a drain plug in the cool fuel... what happened to it?
 
Lazy Daze said:
Yup, it's only "better" to leave the AF in there. Don't forget to fill up the manifolds, too.

FYI, you should have a drain plug in the cool fuel... what happened to it?
Click to expand...
Manifolds will be filled, All is dry, open to air, pretty warm in NY still, going to plug and fill this w/e. I ordered new plugs. As far as the cool fuel goes I still have not found one, but looking at the IPB I see that there should def be one. When I remove the batteries this w/e I can get a better look under there. Thanks Lazy Daze..
upload_2021-11-10_14-34-51.png
 
IIRC, in that model boat, you can reach it by laying down and reaching under (and around the motor mount) with your left hand. Only 3/4 of a gallon into the intake hose would not have been sufficient to fully ensure all the water is out. If you can't get the plug out, snake the intake hose down to drain that way - be mindful of a bend in the hose that stops the draining.
 
I sure do appreciate your efforts in assisting me!....Thank You...I will do as you recommend and let you know my outcome....Much Thanks!
 
OK...Lazy Daze you are correct. I did have a plug under the fuel cooler. Had to be a contortionist to get at it but all good. Drained remaining water. Filled block and manifolds. She is down for her winter nap........Thank you all who assisted me.
 
HawkX66 said:
Any untreated steel, iron etc that is subjected to air and humidity changes will corrode. Even the pink antifreeze will keep it protected better than empty IMO.
Click to expand...
I agree...So much back and forth about this topic but to me I think simple, don't over think. Air open all winter vs. filled with non corrosive af is no brainer......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,123
Messages
1,426,623
Members
61,037
Latest member
wojozobl
Back
Top