what to do if already frozen

S

sigsmaster

New Member
May 9, 2009
39
Greenbank WA
Boat Info
'98 Express Cruiser 215
Engines
Mercruiser 5.0
The freeze came earlier than expected this year. i have delt with about 5 days of night freezes. what can i do know? wait till i get some warmer weather? go ahead and start the engine and start running the anti-freeze through it. i want to make sure my freeze plugs don't pop or worse.
 
I agree - how cold did it get - as long as you have no ice in the water pump or hoses - you should be fine. I wouldn't wait - otherwise get a bilge heater if things have started to freeze.
 
If the temps are low enough that you're concerned about freezing, due as suggested above and squeeze some hoses, feeling for ice.

Next take off the water inlet hose (comes from drive) from the T-stat. Pour some water in there and have someone observe the intake on the drive. You should see water come out. If all is good, go ahead and run the engine up to operating temp and take a good look around for water coming out of places it shouldn't.

In the 215, you can get to all of your plugs very easily. Go ahead and fog your engine, then pull the plugs to drain and re-fill with AF through the t-stat hoses.

Next year, keep a better eye on the weather and don't let the temps sneak up on you. At a bare minimum, pull the plugs and drain. It takes about 3 minutes to do that, especially on a boat that has such easy access as the 215.

Don't forget to check out your fresh water system (if you have it).
 
DONE! I guess the temperature didn’t get down that low, not even my garden hose was frozen. Sfergson727 I never hesitate. And Lazy Daze when the terrorist that plotted 911 get their trial in New York I will send a complaint letting them know of the stress they caused me by making me take care of their friends and not winterizing my boat. Truly I appreciate your advice, but you can keep your elitist attitude.
Petty Officer United States Navy
 
Dennis "elitist"? Ha Ha.

On the contrary, my friend - any boat owner who chooses to crawl around in the bilge to perform his own maintenance, repairs and upkeep on his "mini-cruiser" (got one just like it) is absolutely one of the common folk - as most of us on this forum are.
 
Never thought of myself that way, before. Hmmm... I might like it!

Dennis says to one of his peons: "You there! Yes, you, in the red shirt! Come here and pull my finger!" (because, of course, I wouldn't fathom pulling my own finger.)

It's good to be the King.



In all seriousness, Bryan, I think you read into what we were saying a little too far. I'm glad your engine is OK as rarely do the freeze plugs do their job and actually pop out before something more catastrophic happens.
 
I wouldnt wait -as the more days of cold weather the worse it can get-and the water may be much warmer that the air temp so you still may have a chance-I would go to west marine or simular and get a engine compartment heater for about $300 -put it down there and get it going-it may still be ok-but I looked at a sundancer the other day and it had been on a trailer for several years and it had freeze issues- and the block was cracked-just hair line-then the mechanics told me it could be worse that just a new block as it can get in the manifolds etc-just the block replacement cost was around $3,000 so its well worth a quick response and $300
 
The NW is in the grips of a real cold snap. 23* last night with a High of 29* here in Beaverton Oregon. Just evening dips I rarely get nervous, however when the day time highs do not get above freezing it is too late as noted above. If you can not get it done quickly a heater or light in the bildge can help to keep things above freezing, but only a temp solution.

Sure is nice this year having the boat inside on a rack with no thouhts about the cold on my spinners. Sure wish I would have done it sooner.
 
As Lazy Daze says, keep a better eye on the weather. We call it "The Weather Channel".
 
katricol said:
Petty officer sigsmaster.... any comment!!??!! I don't think Lazy Daze was being condecendent at all!!! Ric
Click to expand...


Yes Petty Officer Sigsmaster, why did you go there, and say that? He was trying to help and pointed out a few obvious issues.
 
If you were to ask me how to fix a hole in you boat because you ran it into the rocks, I wouldn’t say you should pay closer attention to where your going, or you should be better at navigating. I would ask, what happened. Are you ok? Did anyone get hurt? I would remember why most of us come to this site. To get sound advice and a sense of fellowship with other boat owners to help save money and time. Whether the comments were consciously meant to offend or not doesn’t matter. There is a certain amount of respect that must be given to any person you are not acquainted with. I’m over the issue, and would be pleased to get more advice from sfergson and Lazy Daze in the future. I just ask that everyone me included remember you more than likely don’t know the back story to a post and don’t naturally assume someone is lazy or doesn’t care about their boat.
 
You're right, we don't know the background because you didn't state it. But your question of "should I wait until it gets warmer" is quite clear and indicative of a person that doesn't understand the idea of taking preventative measures. That, itself, is really not a problem. Everyone has to start somewhere... that's fine.

Granted, we are only dealing with the written word and you may have misread what was actually meant. I can accept that. But, it was explained that what you thought you read by myself and Scott was misinterpreted.

For fear of repeating myself, this is meant only in a constructive way.
 
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Lazy Daze said:
You're right, we don't know the background because you didn't state it. But your question of "should I wait until it gets warmer" is quite clear and indicative of a person that doesn't understand the idea of taking preventative measures. That, itself, is really not a problem. Everyone has to start somewhere... that's fine.

Granted, we are only dealing with the written word and you may have misread what was actually meant. I can accept that. But, it was explained that what you thought you read by myself and Scott was misinterpreted.

For fear of repeating myself, this is meant only in a constructive way.
Click to expand...



I concur....
 
Roger that. i believe the horse is dead. Again i really did appreciate the advise, and if your every in the Puget Sound let me know we will bury the hatchet properly over some Port Townsend Ale.
 
Take a real trip and mosey on down to Gig Harbor. You won't regret it. Roche Harbor in the San Juans is great to. Just be careful when you cross the Straits!!!!!!!
 
Bryan, no worries - never even had the hatchet out of it's sheath. But I'll still take you up on that offer if I'm ever in the Northwest! You better make it the "big" bottle if Scott comes along, though!:smt001 Just kidding, Scott!

You guys have some very pretty scenery up there. Todd (Nehalenia) has posted some tremendous pictures.
 
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