550 Winterize Mod

[jesutton3]

I've tried searching but did not get any results. I have read the PCM documents on winterizing the XR550 but have not actually tried to winterize on yet. I only have experience winterizing open cooling Indmar engines.

What I would like to do is set up a fast water drain modification. Basically replace the factory drain plugs with valves so no wrenches are required. On a boat with knock sensors I know you cannot put in the valves because the sensors are no longer in contact with the block. But with the closed cooling on the XR550 I cannot see any reason in the manual that the drain plugs could not be replaced with valves.

Is this correct thinking or is there something I am not seeing since I have not done it in person yet?

[swankster]

In the winter we like to make a few runs. So in our 450, I put boiler and p-**** drains in the manifold and transmission during the first winterization. I had to cut the hose bib off the boiler drains so they would screw into the manifold. I have to open 5 drains, take off a hose, the bolt from the cooler and the strainer, and it is done. In the summer I put the plugs back in.

[jesutton3]

Yeah I switched the manifold, vid rive, oil cooler, and inter cooler over to valves. The heat exchanger did not have enough clearance so I drilled the head and pressed in a stainless pin.

Now I can open all the valves, screw out the plug in the heat exchanger by hand, and pull the strainer bowl. I'm still working up something for the hoses so I can drain all water with no tools.

[swankster]

I thought about using an inline radiator hose drain but haven't done it yet.

[jesutton3]

Well that inline radiator drain is exactly what I've been looking for. Ordered up a few.

I'll be able to drain all the water from the engine with no tools.

[vision]

In the winter we like to make a few runs. So in our 450, I put boiler and p-**** drains in the manifold and transmission during the first winterization. I had to cut the hose bib off the boiler drains so they would screw into the manifold. I have to open 5 drains, take off a hose, the bolt from the cooler and the strainer, and it is done. In the summer I put the plugs back in.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30709[/ATTACH]

I did the same but used barbed adapters connected to hoses that run to area of the drain plug and used std valved hose ends to allow drainage.

I glued in a drain/hose on the bottom of the inline water filter as well. It makes it easier to add anti-freeze to the the system as well as drain the water intake pathway.

I leave the adapters/hoses connected all year.

[nyryan2001]

I would love to have this mod.... But have no idea exactly which fittings to buy.

any chance you guys could post up links to the different fittings? XR550 here

[jesutton3]

I have the XR 550.

I used two of these for the intercooler. http://www.mcmaster.com/#4847K15 I had to cut the female side down to allow enough clearance to actually install them. And the port side I had to also cut the handle in half.

These for the manifolds. http://www.mcmaster.com/#4112T63 You will also need these. http://www.mcmaster.com/#4429K412 The t handles on the valves will have to be removed to allow enough clearance to install. Then put them back on when you have them installed.

Two of these are needed for the 2nd oil/trans cooler. http://www.mcmaster.com/#4112T53 I'm still working on how to get the second one in near the V drive.

I'll be using these for the freshwater lines. http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...ductId=1206363 But I will be replacing the petcock with a valve. I'm assuming the same valve on the manifolds will work but I will know for sure once they get here.

For the V drive I used a pipe nipple and brass valve from Lowes. I can't remember what size it was, 1/2" I think. But you can just carry the plug in and match it up.

I thought about putting a valve in the strainer bowl. But I never pull it during the year so I just use this as a chance to pull it and check for trash.

For the heat exchanger the drain plug has an anode in it plus no clearance for a valve. I drilled the head and pressed in a stainless pin. This lets me pull the plug and reinstall with no tools. Like this.

[Quinner]

One word of caution when using valves like that, you essentially are reducing the drain hole size so be sure and probe the holes often for blockage from sediment.

[jesutton3]

That is why I did not go with the plumb them all to a central point. I still have access to the valves to stick a wire in to clear if there is a blockage.

Granted the boat only has 23 hours so far but only the manifolds seem have a chance for blockage. There was dirt and grit in the factory plugs already. The other plugs came out clean and no slow downs on flow.

[nyryan2001]

Awesome.... Much appreciated for listing all that out!!

[schaabj]

I have the XS550 engine and did the winterize for myself this past fall. I took out all of these plugs (which had previously been done by the dealer and you could tell they had never had a wrench on them) and hardly got any water out of them. a little from the ex changer and that is all. I found the most useful was simply removing the intake hose from the hull and pouring anti-freeze into it with the engine running (after draining the strainer). Once the packing shaft is flowing i used a C-Clamp to pinch the line so all the flow went to the rest of the cooling system and ran a couple jugs until the exhaust was pink pink.

My question was when you guys take these plugs out did you get much water coming out?

[nyryan2001]

LOTS of water comes out of the Vdrive.... 3-5gals?

then a good quart per manifold and the exchanger.

the oil cooler... Maybe a cup or two.

[schaabj]

Sorry, you are right, I did have a bit come out of the v-drive. Forgot that one, but the oil cooler only had a few drips, same with the other smaller drain plugs mentioned in the manual.

[jesutton3]

It depends on when I pull the plugs.

If I pull them at the ramp before we drive home I got a decent amount of water out of everything. Except the heat exchanger, almost no water ever from it.

If I pull them at home then I get much less water from all the plugs. But still some water out of everything, except the heat exchanger.

I usually end up draining the water a few times each fall and spring. So I do not want to deal with keeping several gallons of antifreeze on hand. Thank god the closed cooling has antifreeze in the heater lines. Draining the heater was always the worst part.