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I hate to start talking about winterizing now, but unfortunately it is coming sooner rather than later. I know there are a lot of threads about how to winterize but I wanted to get some feedback from some of you guys on my method for draining the engine and adding antifreeze. This is how I did it last year and it is probably a bit "over-the-top" but being the first time I had ever winterized a boat, I took the better safe than sorry route.
After changing all of the fluids and fogging the cylinders, I drain as much water as I can from the block using the normal drain points (tranny cooler, block plugs, water pump drain, and manifolds). I remove the two hoses from the strainer and use a shop vac to blow air through both hoses to try and get as much water out as possible. I remove the heater hoses from the block and use the shop vac to blow water out of the heater core. I hook the heater hose back up and manually pour antifreeze down the hoses from the strainer. I also manually pour AF in the manifold as well.
This year I'm considering doing the exact same process, except for the part about manually adding the AF. I've read where several owners remove the hose from the strainer, attach an extension hose, place the end of this hose in a 5-gallon bucket of AF, and run the boat until it empties. I figured I'd need to pour some antifreeze in first to prime the impeller.
Am I making this harder than it really needs to be? My guess is "yes" but wanted to get your feedback. I'm cautious when it comes to the engine and winterization. My neighbor, who is a mechanic, has a MC 205 and he tried to winterize it himself last year. He ended up with a cracked block and a $5,500 repair bill.
After changing all of the fluids and fogging the cylinders, I drain as much water as I can from the block using the normal drain points (tranny cooler, block plugs, water pump drain, and manifolds). I remove the two hoses from the strainer and use a shop vac to blow air through both hoses to try and get as much water out as possible. I remove the heater hoses from the block and use the shop vac to blow water out of the heater core. I hook the heater hose back up and manually pour antifreeze down the hoses from the strainer. I also manually pour AF in the manifold as well.
This year I'm considering doing the exact same process, except for the part about manually adding the AF. I've read where several owners remove the hose from the strainer, attach an extension hose, place the end of this hose in a 5-gallon bucket of AF, and run the boat until it empties. I figured I'd need to pour some antifreeze in first to prime the impeller.
Am I making this harder than it really needs to be? My guess is "yes" but wanted to get your feedback. I'm cautious when it comes to the engine and winterization. My neighbor, who is a mechanic, has a MC 205 and he tried to winterize it himself last year. He ended up with a cracked block and a $5,500 repair bill.
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