Why pay to have winterization done?

You beat me to it Scott. Thats how I winterized both of my last boat engines. Drained the completely, and then filled it up with the pink stuff via the thermostat. No risk with the thermostat not opening, or any water stuck in the block.

Guys - i assume, after you drain, you crank the engine for a second to get the water out of the pump???
 
Correct. I remove all the drain plugs from the engine and the exhaust riser, and the cooling hoses from the water pump housing. While its all off, quick bump the starter so the water pump gets emptied. Put it back together, and then fill it up with antifreeze until it starts to empty out the outdrive.

Its the same as using the Camco 5 gallon kit, but no risk of your thermostat not opening. VERY easy to do, and helps get you familiar with your engine compartment and location of things.

FWIW, Menards had/has a pretty good sale on the pink stuff, I just picked up two cases. I should have some leftover, but it'll be good until next year.
 
Thanks a lot for the advice! This actually seems easier than the whole fogging / pinking at the same time crap. I can fog the engine via the fuel filter... shut it down... and then just pink the engine while its off! :thumbsup:

Correct. I remove all the drain plugs from the engine and the exhaust riser, and the cooling hoses from the water pump housing.

I assume you only need to remove the output hose from the pump right? :huh: I would think that the input hose would just drain back out the drive right? Actually i plan on replacing the impeller this year anyways so prob doesn't matter. Thanks again!
 
After I drain the block, I just pull the thermostat, reconnect the water neck with original gasket, and run antifreeze through the drive/block with muffs and a 5 gallon bucket. If you don't have an OD, you can just hook up the line to your raw water cooling line.

Come spring time, pull the water neck again, reinstall/replace thermostat, and replace the gasket.

Doug
 
So it seems to me like all of you guys are up north, yes?

In Tx where it rarely gets into the 20's, is there a problem just opening the blue plugs and then cranking the engine over to empty the pump in the alpha?

Last season i didn't do plugs, got engine hot and then ran pink stuff through it and then shut her down. I think it might be over kill as long as the plugs get all of the water out of the block and then bumping the starter clears water from the impeller pump area.

No?
 
George, I beg to differ. West Marine's product, which is the "pink stuff" I've always used, is the proper formulation.

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West Marine Pure Oceans -50° (-46°C) Marine Antifreeze provides the ultimate in cold weather and corrosion protection for drinking water systems and all engines. Its premium additive package prevents corrosion of aluminum, copper, brass and solder, but will not harm rubber, seals or hose materials. The 3X-died bright pink color provides excellent blow-through visibility. Formulated with non-toxic, virgin Propylene Glycol (30% Blend), it is tasteless and contains no alcohol. This product is ready-to-use; do not dilute it.
  • Provides burst protection to -50°F (-46°C) and freeze protection within a range of +12°F to +16°F (-11°C to -9°C)
  • When testing with a refractometer or hydrometer designed for use with propylene glycol, freeze point readings on the PG scale will range from +12°F to +16°F
Note: The burst point of PVC pipes used in most drinking water systems is about -10°F (-23°C). When winterizing water systems in regions where temperatures can fall below -10°F (-23°C), we recommend using West Marine Pure Oceans -100°F (-73°C) Marine

Now, if you want to argue that purple is better, you may be right but based solely on the temperature rating. 'Round these parts (and likely on Bodkin Creek), there's no need for the -60 degree stuff and as such, no justification for the extra cost. As for antifreeze you can buy Walmart, Lowes and some hardware stores, I can't comment b/c I haven't read the label. But it certainly a good idea to use a product that has corrosion inhibitors.

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Curtis, I have an 08 205 Sport and I have decided to do the winterization myself for the same reasons....I spent about $150 for all the stuff I need...and as someone mentioned, I'll do a lot more than the dealer would do at a fraction of the cost. Plus, I've never liked someone else work on my stuff. My father was a Mac Tools salesmen for about 40 yrs and the horror stories of the "pros" at dealers have always stuck with me. If I can do the job myself, I will.....Jay
 
Curtis, I have an 08 205 Sport and I have decided to do the winterization myself for the same reasons....I spent about $150 for all the stuff I need...and as someone mentioned, I'll do a lot more than the dealer would do at a fraction of the cost. Plus, I've never liked someone else work on my stuff. My father was a Mac Tools salesmen for about 40 yrs and the horror stories of the "pros" at dealers have always stuck with me. If I can do the job myself, I will.....Jay

I hear ya... "pros" know some of the gotcha's that might take a while to figure out the first time (to me), but after that I hold on to my vehicles for quite a while usually and I definitely become the pro specifically to it.
 

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