ZR450 CES - Ball valves to make winterization easier?

[imhoff]

Has anyone ever replaced all of the plugs (2015 450 engine) with ball valves so that it's easier to drain water from the system? The winterization diagram has the following items:

1) Engine Oil Cooler - barbed fitting in hose?
2) Raw Water Pump - barbed fitting in hose?
3) Heat Exchanger - Plug
4) Exhaust Manifold - Drain Plugs
5) Exhaust Corners - Drain Plugs
6) VDrive Drain - Plug
7) Transmission Oil Cooler - Drain Plug

It appears as though there's another plug on the bottom of the fuel filter. Am I missing anything else?

Curious if this would really make a big difference in time as well as what sized fittings I would need.

[charlesml3]

Yes. My neighbor did this with his G23. They ride year-round so he drains whenever the weather is getting cold enough to freeze. He uses screw-in petcocks though.

Do not put a valve at the bottom of the fuel filter. That's unnecessary and risky if it leaks.

[nohlan_4]

Has anyone ever replaced all of the plugs (2015 450 engine) with ball valves so that it's easier to drain water from the system? The winterization diagram has the following items:

1) Engine Oil Cooler - barbed fitting in hose?
2) Raw Water Pump - barbed fitting in hose?
3) Heat Exchanger - Plug
4) Exhaust Manifold - Drain Plugs
5) Exhaust Corners - Drain Plugs
6) VDrive Drain - Plug
7) Transmission Oil Cooler - Drain Plug

It appears as though there's another plug on the bottom of the fuel filter. Am I missing anything else?

Curious if this would really make a big difference in time as well as what sized fittings I would need.

I just suck anti freeze up into the system and dont bother taking plugs out anymore. Has been easy and quick the past 3 winters.

[75Tique]

sucking up antifreeze without draining has been demonstrated to result in diluted antifreeze and less protection. I see you are in Canada so it gets pretty cold, I am guessing maybe you have indoor storage for the winter. Even if it has worked for you, it is not recommended. Its quick and easy to drain, why risk the price of a block? You will not find any owners manual that does not suggest draining.

[nohlan_4]

sucking up antifreeze without draining has been demonstrated to result in diluted antifreeze and less protection. I see you are in Canada so it gets pretty cold, I am guessing maybe you have indoor storage for the winter. Even if it has worked for you, it is not recommended. Its quick and easy to drain, why risk the price of a block? You will not find any owners manual that does not suggest draining.

Thats why you suck up much more anti freeze than the capacity of the system so you don't dilute as much. Even if it is diluted the burst rating of -50 degree antifreeze your still protected. The manual of course will never say this ok because of people thinking one 3 litre jug will protect there boat from freezing. I normally push 30 litres or more through my system.

[Jmulhollen]

I am interested in experiences here as well...all winter we have 5-10 days where freezing is a possibility and we use the boat all year. Have a 23 on the way and this seems like a great idea where possible.

[poecs13]

I have a 2005 ZR6 motor. I live in Dallas so I was also looking for a solution to get the engine in and out of a winterized state quickly at the end of last summer. Fortunately my engine is equipped with the optional drain kit, essentially replacing all plugs with hoses that run to one master plug. When freezing temps are in the forecast at the end of a weekend, I simply pull the master plug, remove the plastic strainer and clear the water out of the raw water pump.

i don’t know if such kits exist for other motors, but just wanted to report that simply draining worked well for my purposes last year in a more mild winter climate. I have not missed a month of skiing in 2018!

[Jmulhollen]

So if I understand correctly just replacing those fittings either with a nipple to clamp the hoses...but what “strainer” are you referring to?

[Evening Shade]

So if I understand correctly just replacing those fittings either with a nipple to clamp the hoses...but what “strainer” are you referring to?

The sea water strainer. Its a plastic cup with wire strainer that strains debris from the water before it enters the transmission cooler, raw water pump, and ultimately the engine. It can be found in the raw water intake hose between the raw water intake and the raw water pump.