Winterize question

[Snowman2001]

With a cold engine ,water all drained,and plugs back in. I poured the antifreeze in the hose right after the strainer,I can only pour 3 litres and the hose over flows. Do I have to pull the thermostat to fill the engine block.
Sorry aim a newbie

[NautiqueJeff]

Yes. If the engine is cold, the thermostat will be closed. You'll need to pull it.

[Snowman2001]

Thanks Jeff

[Quinner]

Pouring in from there the a/f will not get past the impeller, as Jeff said you will also want to pour in at the t-stat housing.

I am a bigger fan of the draw in method of adding a/f, on an open (raw) cooling setup, once ALL the water is drained from the entire system (usually at least 6 locations (2) block (2) manifold (1) j-tube (1) trans cooler + heater & shower if equipped) I will draw the a/f in from the intake hose after the strainer until I see color coming out the exhaust. This method will use a couple extra gallons of the pink stuff (3-6gals total) and will ensure a/f enters every part of the cooling system.

[Snowman2001]

Quinner thanks a ton. This fourm has saved me big $ . The only nautique dealer in my area wants $ 840.00 to winterizing .

[CHassmann]

$840 to winterize? That's insane! Does that include detailing and shrink wrapping?

[Snowman2001]

Just winterize and change engine oil and filter only.

[NautiqueJeff]

Completely agree with the above. I have used Quinner's method in the past. Now that I am in NC (and have an Xtreme Heater), no need to winterize.

[wakedog01]

NautiqueJeff, I was thinking about getting an Xtreme Heater also to avoid having to winterize. What do you do about the marine heater in the boat? Are you able to check regularly that the Xtreme Heater is working (in case a 120 vac circuit breaker trips, power failure, etc)?

[NautiqueJeff]

The passenger area heaters in the newer boats don't use water, they use the anti-freeze in the engine's closed cooling system, so they don't need to be winterized. Because of that, I have very few worries about using an Xtreme Heater. I am personally able to check my boat daily if necessary. I have never found an issue though.

[Quinner]

The passenger area heaters in the newer boats don't use water, they use the anti-freeze in the engine's closed cooling system

The only exception being an Excalibur that does not have closed cooling

[NautiqueJeff]

Good point!!

[Quinner]

Snowman, what boat and motor do you have? If you have a ballast system you will want to be sure and drain it completely as well. Additionally a very thorough winterize would include treating fuel, motor oil + filter change and changing trans oil prior to running motor for the last time. Fogging oil in the cylinders is also a good idea and pull the impeller. Pull the battery(s) and if possible periodically charge them over the winter. If the boat is accessible during storage cranking the steering wheel lock to lock every couple weeks should help keep the cable lubed. Dryer sheets in the boat supposedly deters rodents as well.

[Snowman2001]

Quinner we have a 211 with a 330. Had a 86 nautique back in the day it was sooooo easy to work on . These v drives not so easy at 46 . Lol

[Snowman2001]

I have removed impeller and thermostat, I can only pour 3L of antifreeze from hose in strainer before it overflows....I have removed the hose indicated in yellow circle...no antifreeze comes out, even if blowing through the pipe to try to force it...no antifreeze....is this normal or a problem.