Winter Riding ZR6 Closed Cooling? Drain after use?

[Luke 'Lukey' Thomas]

Quick question, as I'm new to the whole closed cooling system. I always ride through the winter, both back in the UK and here in NZ (South Island, probably gets to about -3c at night at the coldest, and always +5-10c in the day all winter). Previously I've had raw water cooled systems and drained the engine blocks after use, we've had a couple of cold days now, wondering what (if anything) you'd bother draining after use on a closed system before parking it up for the week.

Any advice appreciated!

[dfoster]

I've got a ZR6 in my 2004 SV211 and I got it on the water early this year so had a couple of nights where it went below freezing.

Basically, I made sure the ballast tanks were pumped empty and then drained the watter from the raw water side. My boat has a fresh water flush kit, so not sure if yours is the same, but I can pull the starboard engine panels out and reach down behind the engine where there is one single drain plug. I can drain that and (most of ) the raw water drains. Then I open up the strainer and drain that. My dealer said emptying the drainer is the most important becuase having that freeze would cause a crack that could burst on the water.

It only takes me about 10-15 minutes... spending more time messing with the cover and the side engine panels than the drain itself.

My manual had a diagram that showed it clearly. If you don't have that, let me know and I can upload something for you.

Doug

[Luke 'Lukey' Thomas]

That would be ideal if you would. I looked at draining the water from the heat exchanger, but was pretty awkward to get at! And figured with our moderate temps it was pretty unlikely to freeze! A diagram would make life much easier!

[HS]

PCM manuals at the following link I'll show the cooling system drain locations
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/co...Owners-Manuals