2000 21V Winterizing steps.

[dcauthen]

Can someone help walk me through it.....this is my first time. I have 4 gals of bio-degradable anti-freeze, a drill pump, fogging oil, and fuel stabilizer.

Where are all the engine drain plugs, and is it best to just drain it and leave it empty, or pump in the anti-freeze?

Can I do it through the heater hose with the drill pump?

Thanks

DC

[dogbert]

What engine do you have and where's the boat (geographically)?

I've got a '99 with the 315 HP Mercruiser. There's 6 blue drain plugs, 1 on either side of the engine block, 1 on each exhaust manifold, 1 on the lowest part of all the cooling hoses and 1 below water pump (this one's hard to see, but it's on the driver's side near the engine block plug). I don't have a heater, but there's another thread on draining the heater.

I'm in Texas and the coldest it normally gets here is about 20F. I normally just drain mine.

[dcauthen]

I have the 350 MAG and I'm in South Carolina.

[dogbert]

I have the 350 MAG and I'm in South Carolina.

I think the antifreeze would be overkill, IMHO. Find the blue drain plugs, open them up and you should be good to go. The heater might be a little bit trickier.

[chpthril]

I'm just to the north of you, and I too think that antifreeze is not necessary.

also a good idea to change the oil/filter. Warming up the engine to do this will also give the stableizer a chance to reach the fuel delivery componants.

[dcauthen]

OK...I found 5 plugs total....did I miss any? I drained them all, put the plugs back in, and pumped 4 gals of anti-freeze through the heater hose, and by-passed the heater core. Started it for a few seconds to circulate the anti-freeze and put in some Stabil. I am going to fog the cylinders next week, and change the oil and plugs in the Spring.

I've never done this myself, and was nervous about these low temps that set in last night........does it sound to you guys that I am all set for now?

DC

[spharis]

Heater Core?

[Matt Garcia]

dcauthen,

Read this thread for more info.

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...ight=plugs+23V

[dcauthen]

Thanks Matt......I think I missed that one on the back of the engine, but as I said, I did pump in 4 gals of anti-freeze.

Spharis......my boat has a heater behind the spotters seat. It's a brand new one because it had a little water in it that froze. I by passed it with a union in the Spring and put it back on for the winter.

[chpthril]

I am going to fog the cylinders next week, and change the oil and plugs in the Spring.

It's best to change the oil/filter before puttin her to bed. Used oil is caustic and tends to pit the soft metals in the engine such as bearings and pistons.

Started it for a few seconds to circulate the anti-freeze and put in some Stabil.

couldn't tell from your post, but you should run the engine for about 10 min so the stableizer has time to circulate through the fuel/water filter and through the carburetor.

Do a search for "winterizing" there a 3 or 4 new (this fall) threads with lots of great input on what all needs to be done and all the routines that everyone has developed over time. As always, don't hesitate to post a question, there is always someone around to answer.

[dcauthen]

How long can you run the engine without water going to it?

[chpthril]

How long can you run the engine without water going to it?

You can't run it any more than a few seconds without a water supply the rubber impeller will begin to burn up. probably not what you wanted to hear.

[cjromero77]

I don't understand how to fog. From what I understand you spray fog into the carburator until the engine dies. However, you're supposed to run the engine to suck antifreeze into the coolant system and shut off the engine once the antifreeze comes out the back. So how do you time it to fog the carburator so the engine cuts out without burning up the impellor or before you've pulled in enough antifreeze. The antifreeze winterizing jug is big enough for about 3 or 4 gallons of antifreeze.

[chpthril]

Here's kinda how I gitr done

Run engine on water to warm up for oil change.
After filter is on and fresh oil in I run again on water to warm back up to open thermostat.
Once warm, hook A/F bucket to fake-a-lake and restart. Let run till you are almost out of A/F (note how fast it pulls it in)
I use the spray can fog, it will not stall engine but that's ok. I also like to Idle engine at about 1500rpm so the fog does not puddle in intake.
I spray for about 30sec and till it starts to smoke real good, by this time, the A/F bucket is at or near empty, shut off engine.

If you are using the pour-in stuff, start out pouring slow and increase till it stalls.

[Moki]

Here's kinda how I gitr done

Run engine on water to warm up for oil change.
After filter is on and fresh oil in I run again on water to warm back up to open thermostat.
Once warm, hook A/F bucket to fake-a-lake and restart. Let run till you are almost out of A/F (note how fast it pulls it in)
I use the spray can fog, it will not stall engine but that's ok. I also like to Idle engine at about 1500rpm so the fog does not puddle in intake.
I spray for about 30sec and till it starts to smoke real good, by this time, the A/F bucket is at or near empty, shut off engine.

If you are using the pour-in stuff, start out pouring slow and increase till it stalls.

This is how I plan on doing it next year. How long do you think you have before the thermostat closes when switching from water to antifreeze?