I was reading my boats owners manual on winterizing. It listed all of the water drain points but it mentioned nothing about using antifreeze. I have a 97 sea ray 175. 3.0 mercruiser. It does not have a closed cooling sys. Any tips. I've been a diesel mech. for 30 years now but new to marine..
!st. Time Winterizeing.
- Thread starter Radar
- Start date
Banagy
Member
- Nov 13, 2006
- 961
- Boat Info
- 2005 Sun Deck with Lowrance HDS 7 Touch Gen 2 GPS fish finder and Navman radio Bennett Trim Tabs.
- Engines
- 5.0 with Alpha 1 drive
To be safe use -100 rv anti freeze.
AnchorsAweigh
Member
- Jun 27, 2010
- 75
- Boat Info
- 1977 - 300 Weekender
- Engines
- Twin 5.7L Mercruiser Inboards
I always run motors up with muffs to make sure the block is warm (not hot) when I drain, it helps to evaporate any sitting water and a good time to change the oil. Also, have a pick or mini-screwdriver when you remove plugs or petcocks. (I actually remove petcocks and not just loosen up to drain) Poke around in the holes after removing to dislodge any rust sediments or scale, sometimes it appears drained but it's actually plugged. Choice is yours but if you've got a manual with all the drain points I wouldn't worry too much about antifreeze, especially if it doesn't mention it. Lastly, when I'm confident there is no more water left I replace all plugs and petcocks so it's ready to go in the spring.
Good luck!
Good luck!
OldSkool
Active Member
- May 8, 2010
- 4,360
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- restored 1976 SRV200
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- 188 Mercruiser I/O
Make sure you remove the bottom drain on the out drive. As you know water will go to the bottom and be the first to come out. I haven't had any water since the unit was rebuilt a couple years ago. If you have water then now is the time to look at the seals and have it serviced. When you reinstall the drive oil make sure you fill it from the bottom up. Take the fill screw out and fill from the bottom until the oil runs out. This way no air is trapped in the drive.
I , like Anchors Aweigh, drain the pitcocks as shown in the manual. I did miss one 2 years ago and found a freeze plug in the bulge the next spring. That first start up after replacing the freeze plug was a nail biter but the block was OK. I won't make that mistake again.
I , like Anchors Aweigh, drain the pitcocks as shown in the manual. I did miss one 2 years ago and found a freeze plug in the bulge the next spring. That first start up after replacing the freeze plug was a nail biter but the block was OK. I won't make that mistake again.
I suggest you read this information from Mercury. http://www.mercurymarine.com/service-and-support/storage-and-maintenance/faqs/mercruiser/?category=winterization
skibum
Well-Known Member
Can we give Radar some red balls for asking about winterizing before October?
FOUL BALL!
FOUL BALL!
wish2fish
Active Member
how do you get the engine warm (not hot)? :huh:
engine operating temperature is determined by the thermostat. You need to get to that temperature so the cooling system is opened and it shouldn't go any higher unless you have another problem.
AnchorsAweigh
Member
- Jun 27, 2010
- 75
- Boat Info
- 1977 - 300 Weekender
- Engines
- Twin 5.7L Mercruiser Inboards
I guess my reason for saying warm vs. hot was because the water coming out and all over your hand hurts when it's up at 160f. Not sure about all motors but I don't know if it matters that the stat opens up, there are drain plugs above and below it, at least on all the engines I've ever worked on. Hope I didn't mislead or confuse anybody.
wish2fish
Active Member
looks like you don't use antifreeze, I think most of us do for anti corrosion purposes. tstat needs to be open to get antifreeze throughout the engine.
wish2fish
Active Member
I just went and read my manual. this is how it reads in bold print:
IMPORTANT: Mercury MerCruiser recommends that proplyene glycol (a nontoxic and environmentally safe) antifreeze be used in the seawater section on the cooling system for cold weather or extended storage. make sure that the propylene glycol antifreeze contains a rust inhibitor and is recommended for use in marine engines. Be certain to follow the propylene glycol manufacturer's recommendations
I would never rely on just draining the system.
IMPORTANT: Mercury MerCruiser recommends that proplyene glycol (a nontoxic and environmentally safe) antifreeze be used in the seawater section on the cooling system for cold weather or extended storage. make sure that the propylene glycol antifreeze contains a rust inhibitor and is recommended for use in marine engines. Be certain to follow the propylene glycol manufacturer's recommendations
I would never rely on just draining the system.
After all the service is done, change lubes, fuel stabil, fog engine, grease, water drained, etc. The last thing I do is pop the cover off the thermostat housing. Should be two bolts right on top of the engine. Pull the stat, and pour antifreeze into the block until you see if trickle out the leg. Reinstall the stat and cover. You will have to make or buy a new gasket.
Only mistake I made last year is used car antifreeze. Good for protection but bad for the lake. In the spring I had to start the engine and try to catch the antifreeze before I went on the first trip.
The manual does state to use antifreeze for exta protection.
Only mistake I made last year is used car antifreeze. Good for protection but bad for the lake. In the spring I had to start the engine and try to catch the antifreeze before I went on the first trip.
The manual does state to use antifreeze for exta protection.
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