First Time Winterizing ZR409 CES

[ericchile]

After a good winter... and some time de-winterizing. Started right back up no problems so far!

[F725]

First time winterizing my 210 with ZR6 450. I followed the diagram from the manual. Drained the exhaust manifolds via the drain plugs but almost missed removing lower hoses attached to manifolds. Glad I looked at the manual and followed the diagram!!! Wasn't sure about the heater and was prepared to blow out the line but when I went to remove the hoses, antifreeze started pouring out. Still need to fog the cylinders and remove the batteries, wash and wax. Sad to put it away for the winter.

[Quinner]

Did you drain the Strainer? Is there a drain on the heat ex-changer? Is the trans cooler on the raw water side? If so should be drained as well. Would have to imagine there is more drain points then just the manifolds. Follow the supply line from intake to exit to verify.

[vision]

As Quinner indicated, be sure to drain the heat exchanger and pull the drain plug at bottom of the tranny as it is raw water cooled. Also adviseable to disconnect/ drain raw water intake hose at lowest point or run rv anti-freeze through the intake. You probably did these steps but just mentioning case they were missed.

[F725]

Yup, should of clarified. I did the tranny cooler (removed the hose and removed drain plug to be safe), removed the hose from outlet of water pump, drained heat exchange (found where water supply to dripless shaft seal comes from), drained v-drive and emptied water strainer. The dealership told me all the points to drain except they forgot the lower manifold hoses also said I'd have to blow out the heater lines but that looked to be on the antifreeze loop. Thanks for the feed back! Glad to see that people on this forum are looking out for each other!

[yujrtnortho85]

I know this topic is old, but I am new to this forum. I recently purchased a 2013 SANTE 230 with the ZR450. I have already learned a lot from browsing through this forum. My searches haven't turned up the information I am looking for re: winterizing this engine. I have the "half system" (at least that is what winterization instructions call it). It says to drain the raw water side (and the instructions are very detailed). Says nothing about antifreeze. I have done my Mercuisers in the past with RV antifreeze, but this is first power package that I have had that has the coolant side and raw water side.

If I fill up with RV antifreeze, is there a preferred hose to pour it into, or is it best to suck it up through a bucket with the intake hose? Thanks in advance!!!

[Quinner]

Drain only is generally adequate however sucking up some antifreeze is a worthy extra step to ensure any residual water is not left in the system. If you want to go extra safe, if using RV anti-freeze, drain that after backfilling in case it became diluted (unlikely if you drained fully beforehand) at all.

[yujrtnortho85]

Dumb question but I had a child helping me so I am not sure what to think. When I flushed the raw water side before I drained it (with a plunger type device over the intake and a garden hose), the water came out the exhaust flapper (per my child). I then drained the engine + transmission raw water. When I sucked up antifreeze with the intake hose, I ran it until it came out of the boat. BUT my child says it came out around the propeller shaft, not the flapper valve? Does this make sense to anyone? Checked all the hose connections and they are dry. Plugs intact too. I would have thought it might be coming a leak and then out the bilge, but the bilge was pretty dry. Does the raw water exit the boat in two places? Since I didn't see if it was doing that with the garden hose, I am at a loss.

Any help appreciated.

[Quinner]

Your fine, JR was paying close attention apparently, the AF coming out the shaft is the dripless packing which is water lubricated. You should eventually see it exiting the exhaust as well if you sucked up 4-5 gallons + depending on your boat and accessories.

[yujrtnortho85]

Thanks man. I figured that out after a little research! Thanks for the reply


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[Kanakrysvt]

Sorry to bring up a old topic.

What about the heater. Is that fresh water or coolant. I assume coolant, but just want to make sure.

[Infinity]

Sorry to bring up a old topic.

What about the heater. Is that fresh water or coolant. I assume coolant, but just want to make sure.

Likely the heater has coolant if you have the ZR409 CES ("Partial Full System" after serial #516315....which is what I have and heater is closed cooled. BEFORE serial #615315 is the "Full System" and heater would NOT be closed cooled, it would have fresh water I believe)...but check your owners manual to be sure.

If you need a copy of owners manual for this engine, its available on this site. Or PM me and I will email to you.