Central TX Colder Weather & Engine Compartment Heater

[TXBecca4]

The temperature could stay below freezing for 24-60 hours straight where I am at. I have an Xtreme engine compartment heater installed and plugged in, the red light is on saying it is getting power and the compartment seems to be many degrees above freezing inside currently. I don't hear the little heater running though. I did not winterize because I live on the lake and still take the boat out on warmer days. Should I be worried right now? Anything else I should be doing? I have a heat lamp but was thinking about fuel fumes in there and wasn't sure if I should add that in the mix or not? <- thinking NO. Should I drop it in the water and run the engine to warm it back up every now and again? Thanks in advance - Rebecca

[chpthril]

What does the heater's troubleshooting tips in the manual suggest about a heater thats not heating? Run through that to confirm its sensing the temp and kicking on. If its working, you should be ok. If in doubt, do a quick system drain. Takes less then an hour or so for the first time. 15 minutes if youve done it a couple times.

[CtxAggie]

What does the heater's troubleshooting tips in the manual suggest about a heater thats not heating? Run through that to confirm its sensing the temp and kicking on. If its working, you should be ok. If in doubt, do a quick system drain. Takes less then an hour or so for the first time. 15 minutes if youve done it a couple times.

Is there a good video on how to do a quick drain on a 22V with marine power 340HP?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lee]

I would not trust just a heater unless you are going to be able to make sure the heater is working everyday.

[JohnnieMo]

Putting it in the water would be a good safety precaution so long as there aren’t other risks in that.

I placed a 100 watt bulb in my engine bay and I measured it to be safe down to -5C sustained. It would even work down to -10C for short stints.

[TXBecca4]

I checked the heater and engine compartment each day. After the cold snap ended I went out for a long ride and all was fine. Does anyone know where I can watch a video or get instructions on how to do a quick drain on a 2005 22v Limited Edition with the upgraded GM Vortec 6.0L EFI 380HP engine? Probably something I should know for the future just in case. Thanks!

[KoolAid]

Both hoses run down the bilge. Follow them to the engine, pull both hoses and blow compressed air into the hose. Start with one end then go with the other. Back and forth a few times. Its too difficult to tell which is which so blow out both of them.

[chpthril]

IIRC the 6.0 was closed cooling so not much to drain if so.

[KoolAid]

IIRC the 6.0 was closed cooling so not much to drain if so.

I was thinking the '05 marine power 6.0 wasn't closed cooling, only the '06 and later. Its been way too long so I don't remember for sure.

Becca, do you know if your boat is closed cooling?

[chpthril]

I was thinking is 05 might of had a PCM

[lee]

Our boats had Marine Power from 2004 through the 2008 model year.

[chpthril]

So was the 6.0 closed cooling?

[lee]

Yes they were, we had an '05 and '06 and they both were closed cooling.