Should I pull the termostat

[dieselsmoke]

Im going to be winterizing my SR 185. It has a 4.3 mercrusier. It has 5 drains to remove the water from the hoses risers and block. I plan to drain all the water and remove the thermostat. Then suck antifreeze through the muffs while running the engine. Is this a sure way to make sure antifreeze has made it to all parts of the system??. If I dont remove the thermostat how would I know for sure that antifreeze has circulated everywhere??

Thanks for any advice!

Im Sorry!, I'm sure this has been covered but I cant seem to find it

 

[Strecker25]

That would work, but much easier and less hectic method is to just pull the hoses off the T-stat housing and fill them with AF. You drain the block and exhaust by removing the blue plugs, pull the big hose off the inlet of the circulating pump to drain that as well. Be sure to stick a wire in the block holes to get the gunk flowing and drained properly. I pour a half gallon into the block with the plugs still out to force any remaining water out, once I see pink coming out of the two holes I replace the block plugs. Then, fill the block from the big circulating pump hose until it flows out of the T-stat housing. Do the same with the manifold/riser hose until it pours out the exhaust holes in the transom, and finally fill the hose that supplies the engine with raw water until you hear it splashing on the ground outside (it will come out the outdrive)

I know it sounds like a lot and complicated, but it's really not and this way you know for sure all the places that get AF and will rest easy for 6 months.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Is this a sure way to make sure antifreeze has made it to all parts of the system??. If I dont remove the thermostat how would I know for sure that antifreeze has circulated everywhere??

Nope, because you need coolant to keep the rubber components from melting, water or af comes out first from the exaust manifolds, does not necessarily fill the engine block.
Much simpler to just pour it in the motor and manifolds

 

[dieselsmoke]

Ill be pouring it in as recommended. Thanks guys