Dani-Lu
Well-Known Member
This is going to be my first season winterizing the generator and engines, so trying to avoid spending many thousands to save hundreds. Prefer NOT to disconnect hose from strainer, so plan to work from strainers, but don't have a strainer cover with hose attachment. So the set up is: a 5 gallon pail full of -50 antifreeze with a sump pump and garden hose. Should i use a bigger pail to play it safe, since each engine may need more than 5 gallons and not sure i will have a free hand to add anti freeze to the 5 gallon pail, while holding the hose in the strainer? Next steps: shut sea cock, open cover of sea strainer, put hose in strainer, turn on sump pump, have friend start engine and run 5 plus gallons thru strainer until antifreeze comes out exhaust outside of the boat. Shut engine, shut sump pump, cover strainer and done. If I do this while boat is still in the water, I will leave sea cocks closed until boat is out of the water.
Also, sorry for the lack of understanding and confidence in my knowledge of my engines and generator, lbut I assume I have no issue of having to warm up generator or engines to ensure raw water thermostat opens up, since my generator and engines are fresh water cooled, so no thermostat on the raw water side to worry about. Is this correct?
This seems too easy, but I just keep having nightmares about screwing this up and cracking a block.....
Also, I already winterized my AC and water system, without any issues. Well, aside from maybe using too much antifreeze, but at $3 a gallon, I figured more is better, especially when it could be getting a little diluted by water in the system. I made sure to run all until bright Pink!
Thanks for the guidance!
Jeff
Also, sorry for the lack of understanding and confidence in my knowledge of my engines and generator, lbut I assume I have no issue of having to warm up generator or engines to ensure raw water thermostat opens up, since my generator and engines are fresh water cooled, so no thermostat on the raw water side to worry about. Is this correct?
This seems too easy, but I just keep having nightmares about screwing this up and cracking a block.....
Also, I already winterized my AC and water system, without any issues. Well, aside from maybe using too much antifreeze, but at $3 a gallon, I figured more is better, especially when it could be getting a little diluted by water in the system. I made sure to run all until bright Pink!
Thanks for the guidance!
Jeff
