Winterize without running the engine?

[JimBoat]

I have a new to me 2002 SANTE and the marine shop I took it to to be winterized calls and tells me that they couldn't get the start code to work. So instead of sucking antifreeze up through the cooling system, they pumped it back through the heater. The boat will be outside all winter so guaranteed to see freezing for months.

It's my first time winterizing so I thought I would pit it out to the experts here. Has anyone ever done this? Should I be worried about this? Is there anything in the system that will prevent the antifreeze getting to where it needs to go?


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[2001SAN]

Hi Jim,

If they drained the block and filled it with AF you should be good to go although filling through the t-stat housing is the preferred method. Never heard of filling it though the heater though. Some drain the AF out afterwards as well to catch any pockets of water for extra insurance. Perhaps someone else can comment as my 2001 doesn't have a heater.

Not cycling new oil around the engine is not great winterizing though. What else did they do (or not). Did they fog the cylinders for example?

This is the reason why folks go DIY when winter comes!

D.

[functionoverfashion]

So long as everything was completely drained first, there's nothing really wrong with this method. I winterized my old boat lots of times by ONLY draining (running stabilizer in the fuel before pulling it). In fact, I don't think I ever used a bucket to suck in AF on that boat, although I'd pour it in after draining.

[JimBoat]

The did drain everything, change the oil and fog the engine. Sounds like it will be ok. Just don't want to end up with a bigger problem because I didn't research.


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[Infinity]

Impeller? Depending on how many hours it has, may wanna think about that tho you can do in the Spring...maybe check out your belt too

[jmo]

Totally fine - I stopped doing the pull 5 gallons of AF (after draining the H2O out) through the system from a bucket years ago as it's simpler and less wasteful to pour a gallon directly in via one of the hoses that goes to the block, and then use a compressor to blow out the heater & lines, and pour some AF into the heater as well - push it through with the compressor as well.


______________________________________
2006 SN 196 Limited Excalibur
2001 Super Sport Limited GT40

[JimBoat]

Thanks. I'll sleep easier tonight


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