winterizing GT-40

[skippy]

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I have changed oil/filter, trans. fluid, fogged cylinders, removed sherwood water filter and opened all the drain plugs. I was running out of time before I could get the antifreeze in the block. Looking at the manual I have, the picture is so dark it's hard to distinguish exactly what hose is used to get the antifreeze where it needs to go. Any help would be much appreciated.

[NautiqueJeff]

My suggestion would be to pull the raw-water hose from the thru-hull fitting and place the end in a bucket of marine anti-freeze. Start the boat and let the boat pull the anti-freeze through the motor. Let it run until you see pink coming out of the exhaust.

The only problem is that since your engine is now cool, your thermostat will not be open. You might want to hook it up to a hose and let it warm up again, then re-drain the appropriate parts, let the motor draw in the anti-freeze, and refog.

Alternatively, you could open the thermostat housing and remove the thermostat, reassemble, and then let the motor pull the anti-freeze through. You'll have to remember to reinstall your thermostat next year though.

[skippy]

I was hoping to avoid the extra trouble of refogging. If the thermostat housing is taken apart, can the block be filled with antifreeze then?

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

with everything drained, disconnect the hose coming off of the TOP of the raw water pump, turn the hose up with a funnel and pour in the antifreeze. doing it like this bypasses the t-stat and distributes through the block and manifolds.

[SGY]

Part man, what about on an Excalibur? Do you have any pics showing what exactly you are talking about?

[skippy]

Ok thanks part-man. About how much antifreeze should I expect it to hold?

[skinautique]

Two gallons of antifreeze will get the job done. SGY, he is telling you how to get antifreeze into the engine if you aren't going to start the engine. Your thermostat housing is located in the front center section of the engine. You will see 3 lines going into it. One to get to the thermostat, and one heading to each manifold. I would pull each plug after to make sure that you have antifreeze all throughout the engine though. I would also not recommend pulling apart the thermostat housing. Take the extra couple of minutes to run the boat. It is not hard to pull apart the thermostat housing but then you need to get a new gasket and some rtv silicone to reseal it.

[slob02]

NautiqueJeff.....I was told by my Nautique dealer back in '98 to not use the PINK stuff and to use the BLUE stuff. I am told the pink does not have metal protection abilities and it is for boat and RV plumbing?? (plastic stuff)
I am not 100% sure on this, but this is what I am told.

......and I usually suck in 3 gallons after draining the engine and blowing out the lines.

[skinautique]

You can use 3 gallons if you want. Some people are paranoid about getting the antifreeze into the exhaust system. Haul it down the road and all of the water will be out of the exhaust system itself. I would say spend the extra couple of dollars to get the marine antifreeze so that you have the anti-corrosion protection. As far as pink and blue, that just designate the different temperature ranges before the antifreeze would actually freeze. One is -50 and the other is -100

[NautiqueJeff]

Interesting. I can't say that I've ever heard of the blue stuff. I've always used the pink stuff, and haven't had any problems that I have noticed. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has heard that the pink stuff isn't as good as other types.

[slob02]

I use 3 gallons, but I have the engine running when I dump it in. It usually starts spitting out the exhaust at the end of the third gallon. Probably over-kill, but it makes me feel mentally better!!???
I really an not definate about the pink vs. the blue. It is just what my dealer recommended. I hope others reply too.
Thanks!!!!

[skippy]

The problem I have with the antifreeze just coming out of the exhaust is that it doesn't necessarily mean it is in the block. Until the cooling system reaches normal operating temp., the flow is directed to the exhausts...at least that's my understanding. When I was flushing the engine with freshwater, it took the better part of 15 mins to reach just under 160.

[slob02]

I thought about that too........but where is the 3 gallons going? Will the exhaust system hold that much?

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

1-2 gallons of antifreeze is enough. drain all water passages....block, manifolds,strainer,t-cooler, ect...ect..and put all plugs back in, pour in antifreeze and dont remove any t-stats or plugs after pouring in the antifreeze. you dont want to drain out your protection.

[slob02]

Skippy.......We did two different Nautiques this weekend. After the engine was drained, I put the 3 gallons in each engine. When I was done I pulled the motor block plug and both were full of anti-freeze. They ran for about 2 min. while putting it in. It gets in there somehow??