Winterizing --- Checklist

[coulseyd]

RE: Re: RE: Additional winterization items

Thanks guys! This is my first year winterizing and all of your posts have been very helpful. I'm probably overdoing it since I'm in the Puget Sound and it will be garaged all winter, but better safe then sorry, right?

[01bigair]

RE: Re: RE: Additional winterization items

Where you located? I'm in Kirkland and have an 01 Air that I am getting ready to drain, but I do not know where any of the drain plugs are on my GT40. I plan to use my boat year round when the liquid sun is not present. But I would like to drain the water at least, cause you never know when the next time out may be!! Or I may just run it in the driveway every couple weeks then throw it back in the garage. I have a couple buddies and we drysuit it on Lk Wash, started in April, first day 42 air and 46 water temp.

[coulseyd]

RE: Re: RE: Additional winterization items

I'm actually in Port Orchard. I've got the Excaliber so not sure where all the plugs are on the GT40. I would assume it's a similar set up with two drain plugs under the block and the main mainfold plugs should be visible. Your circulating pump may have one underneath it as well. Pull up the PCM Parts Manual for the GT40 and it should have a waterflow diagram with the locations of all the drain points. There's probably a knock sensor on the port side plug. You need to pull of the electrical connector and then use a 7/8" wrench to pull the sensor/plug on that side. My shower is hooked to the plug on the starboard side, so I just disconnect that and let it drain out the hose. I had to pull my side panels in the engine compartment (V-drive) to get to the block plugs. If yours is a direct drive Air, you should have pretty easy access to everything. DanielC and Wakeslayer are all over the technical side of things, do some searching on the website and you'll find a ton of info. Good luck! My wife's definitely a fair weather boater/rider so I may have to hit you up for a pull one of these days! Good luck.

[01bigair]

RE: Re: RE: Additional winterization items

Will most like be out on the weekends, more than happy to pull you. Board or ski? I am pretty good about figuring out things but visuals help me alot more than narrative, those guys are great and very knowledgable and have helped me to not be afraid to dig into things. I will not pretent to know the innerworkings of an engine, but I need to. I will download the manual soon and dig into it. Getting ready for hunting now, got the boat in the garage early this year though. Sned me an email and I'll let you know when we go out nad hopefully you can make it. 3ptmin@comcast.net

[coulseyd]

01bigair,
Here's the raw water diagram for my 04 with the Excal 330 (GM). I would think your 01 GT-40 would be similar, but couldn't find the PCM manual for it. This came out of the 2004 PCM Owner's & Maintenance Manual.

[coulseyd]

Check that, My drains and set up is actually closer to the 8.1 diagam except the exhaust manifolds point in the opposite direction (towards the RW and circ pumps). Not sure how yours is set up, but this may help.

[RAB]

RE: Re: RE: Additional winterization items

Yeah I would love to get pictures of all the plugs and where all this stuff is- any one can help me!!

[MNSuperAir]

RE: Re: RE: Additional winterization items

No pictures yet, but you have the following:

-Look for 2 square head fasteners near the top of your v-drive unit. They are facing the back of the boat.
-On the port (right) side of your engine compartment near the bottom, there is a black metal housing with water hoses going to it. Look for a small hex facing the right side of your boat.
-On the engine. You have one plug port side near the back of your boat just below the rear spark plug. It is copper in color. On the front right side of the engine you will find the mating pair.
-Lastly, on the front of your manifolds (they say PCM) there is a large copper plug. Probably 1" hex. Remove them also.

If this doesn't help I can get pic's

[Northof49]

RE: Re: RE: Additional winterization items

Our lake froze over for the first time two nights ago. We pulled the course two weeks ago and got a final ski in last weekend before winterizing. The only thing that I do on top of everything on the list is to put some dish soap into the water pump hosing to slime it up for a smoother spring start up. I never thought of taping up the exhaust, I have never had a problem with insects/rodents, however will run out this weekend and put some tape on so I never do.

For those that have a shower, it is the same as a heater, blow it out with low psi and then fill it with RV antifreeze. Getting the antifreeze into the pump is the most important part.
The ice will leave our lake in late April, so many months of sulking to come!! It is especially hard when I can see my ski lake from the local ski hill that keeps me sane in the winter months.

[Gtmt2001]

I have a 1982 Ski not teak 2001 with a 350 PCM engine in it. I'm looking to find information to winterize the engine. Haven't really been able to find anything. Can someone please help with either a manual or where I can find that has the procedure to do it? Thanks for all your help.

[Quinner]

Check www.CorrectCraftFan.com for an engine manual. Should be pretty much the same as most, 1 plug each exhaust manifold, 1 plug each side of engine block, plug at trans cooler and a plug at a J-Tube or similar adjacent/below the water pump, if no j-tube remove the lowest hose by the water pump and let drain, and remove impeller, then backfill or suck up antifreeze, empty strainer if equipped when done. If you have a heater or shower follow those steps as described in any winterize thread.

[CHassmann]

Why the warning tag on the steering wheel?

[Gtmt2001]

Check www.CorrectCraftFan.com for an engine manual. Should be pretty much the same as most, 1 plug each exhaust manifold, 1 plug each side of engine block, plug at trans cooler and a plug at a J-Tube or similar adjacent/below the water pump, if no j-tube remove the lowest hose by the water pump and let drain, and remove impeller, then backfill or suck up antifreeze, empty strainer if equipped when done. If you have a heater or shower follow those steps as described in any winterize thread.

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully I can find something.