Bypass the water heater. First empty the valve to empty it. Then join the cold and hot water hoses this bypassing the heater tank.

They do make a permanent mount bypass kit for heater, so you just need to turn valves, rather than disconnect and reconnect hoses to bypass. It's not expensive and easy to install. Might as well add it this year and you'll have it ready for next.

Esteban

 

Can you explain why? I am in the first year with a 280DA. The water heater is very hard to access. I was just going to run all water unitl empty, add about 8 gal of pink, run 1 item at a time, hot water last then go for a run so the water in the hot water heater runs thru the engine. The hot water heater will heat the water by running a line thru an engine. This has nothing to do with cooling the engine. One more gallon of the pink down the head after pumpout. Still trying to figure out how I will get that short hose from the A/C pump into a container.

 

Something just popped out at me. The marina "requires" that you have the engines winterized and that they do it? :huh:

 

The only reason really is to avoid spending 6+ gallons of antifreeze in the heater's water tank.

The additional line you mention is very common, to have the engine heat the water while it's running. This line will be taken care of when you run antifreeze through the engine's raw water side.

I think there is no harm if you prefer not to bypass and run the 6 gallons of antifreeze through the water heater.

Esteban

 

Thanks for all the help. Probaly going to purchase the bypass system! I checked and they are like $30. Looks easy enough to install and the 290 engine room has ample room to move around. Thanks again....

 

SeaRay Jim.... Yes, we can winterize everything else but the marina does the engines. We aren't allowed to keep it there for the winter unless they do it!

 

I'm amazed by that. I know many marinas that like to keep a short leash on people, but that almost sounds illegal. I'd have a real hard time with that but then again, trailering, dry storage and envy of the slip life, leave me busy with all the trailering hassle and work. :grin:

 

I have heard of crud like that.

I was getting a quote from one yard last year for winterizing. They refused to estimate the scope closer than "it'll take a few hours" and *insisted* on doing "winter battery maintenance and storage" at $27 per battery.