Winterizing a G23 with a heater

[RDT-G23]

A couple of my neighbors were looking at me "like a calf looking at a new gate" (I'm from Texas) last Friday when I winterized, as I think that they thought that I was doing this a bit early... One week later, we have 28 degree and 30 degree nights at the lake... While I know those aren't crazy-cold temps, I slept like a baby-knowing my very expensive boat was almost completely bereft of water where I don't want it...

[fpjl]

Blowing out the heater lines question I winterized my G21 H5 yesterday. I blew out the heater lines by mouth. Still hear a gurgling sound even though no more water coming out. Should I worry about that? What specifically do people use if they use low pressure compressed air? Make of compressor and setting for the low pressure? Thanks.

[RDT-G23]

Blowing out the heater lines question I winterized my G21 H5 yesterday. I blew out the heater lines by mouth. Still hear a gurgling sound even though no more water coming out. Should I worry about that? What specifically do people use if they use low pressure compressed air? Make of compressor and setting for the low pressure? Thanks.

The point with the heater (having now done it) is to have it drain from the front (cockpit) to the rear, such that remaining water has the room to expand in the event of a hard freeze. Regardless of what most people think, they don't get all of the water out of the engine when draining. Sure, some evaporates (maybe all) with the plugs out. More importantly, remaining water needs to have room to expand. Doing what you did, I'd say you are golden, IMHO.

[fpjl]

Excellent. Thanks for the info.

[Evening Shade]

Blowing out the heater lines question I winterized my G21 H5 yesterday. I blew out the heater lines by mouth. Still hear a gurgling sound even though no more water coming out. Should I worry about that? What specifically do people use if they use low pressure compressed air? Make of compressor and setting for the low pressure? Thanks.

I use the air pump that I inflate the kids tube with or an air mattress pump. I can plug the tube pump right into one of the 12V sockets on the boat so its super convenient.

[brit_hunsicker]

Easiest way to winterize with antifreeze (which I do every year here in Kansas). Find the water pick up, disconnect the first connection it makes after entering the boat. Get a 5-8' piece of same size tubing and hook it up. Put the end of the hose in a 5 gallon bucket of RV antifreeze and fire up the boat. If you feel the need, pour a few more gallons in the bucket as it's running. I have found that 5 gallons is plenty. Been doing this for years on boats. I winterize about 10 boats a year, each one takes about 10 minutes.

[charlesml3]

Easiest way to winterize with antifreeze (which I do every year here in Kansas). Find the water pick up, disconnect the first connection it makes after entering the boat. Get a 5-8' piece of same size tubing and hook it up. Put the end of the hose in a 5 gallon bucket of RV antifreeze and fire up the boat. If you feel the need, pour a few more gallons in the bucket as it's running. I have found that 5 gallons is plenty. Been doing this for years on boats. I winterize about 10 boats a year, each one takes about 10 minutes.

Ha! ha! I can't wait to hear the feedback on this. Last time I said this was a perfectly acceptable way to winterize a boat (because it is, and I've done it this way for over a decade) I was LAMBASTED on this forum. It went on for days. Who has popcorn?

-Charles

[GMLIII]

Who has popcorn?

-Charles

It is in the microwave, look forward to the many responses

[scttp]

Easiest way to winterize with antifreeze (which I do every year here in Kansas). Find the water pick up, disconnect the first connection it makes after entering the boat. Get a 5-8' piece of same size tubing and hook it up. Put the end of the hose in a 5 gallon bucket of RV antifreeze and fire up the boat. If you feel the need, pour a few more gallons in the bucket as it's running. I have found that 5 gallons is plenty. Been doing this for years on boats. I winterize about 10 boats a year, each one takes about 10 minutes.

I have a closed cooling 2014 G with 450. I always just drain water. If I were to antifreeze using this method, does it have to be up to running temp? Or is the thermostat just on the coolant side of things?


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[scttp]

I have a closed cooling 2014 G with 450. I always just drain water. If I were to just add antifreeze using this method - sounds quicker than draining and I'm in GA so it's not THAT cold - does it have to be up to running temp? Or is the thermostat just on the coolant side of things?


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[Infinity]

brit_hunsicker did not say if he drains the water before doing his winterize method....do you? There is not way that the AF pushes all the water out, it dilutes it for sure but depending on the rating (I have seen -100 before), it may be enough to keep it from freezing and causing issues, the more you put thru system the better chances you have.
I drain all the water and THEN use a water pump to get AF in my engine (from AF to flush valve in engine) using 4-5gals in similar way he does cause once you drain the water, impeller does not want to create suction since its all air in the system and nothing to "prime" it, hence the pump to help push it thru.

[Infinity]

scttp you can always pop off the thermostat and pour AF in (I always do that after draining too to be sure its topped off cause I add the AF for the non-corrosion qualities which is just a personal preference, everyone has a different opinion). In GA, you might be ok without draining, just depends on how diluted it gets vs how cold it gets. I know we how strangely cold weather here last month for weeks in NC. In garage and in engine bay is gonna stay warmer than outside air too. You can always use an engine heater for the extra cold nights on rare occasions but you always take a chance not taking the time to do it right. Different strokes

[brit_hunsicker]

I will sometimes drain the water out of the engine depending on how easy it is on different boats. I actually put a ball valve on a few of them so I don’t have to take out any plugs, just turn the ball valves. I’ve done the whole antifreeze without draining block first and then turn the ball valve to drain fluid out for testing. It tested good down to -20 which was plenty low for my peace of mind. I hadn’t had any problems with the impeller not pumping after draining. Takes a couple seconds longer to prime but that’s it. Maybe it’s not the right way? But I haven’t had any issues and I’ve been doing it like that for several years.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[charlesml3]

Maybe it’s not the right way? But I haven’t had any issues and I’ve been doing it like that for several years.

It's a perfectly fine way to do it and the way we did GT-40s for years because what PCM called "drain plugs" were difficult. They were brass and on older engines, they would sometimes shear off when you put a wrench on them. In addition, one of them was actually a temp sensor. On top of ALL THAT, they weren't terribly effective as they still left water standing in the bottom of the block.

-Charles

[Quinner]

Brit, you really want to drain first before doing a suck up. The last time Charles was spewing his bad advice to the contrary KENO on CCFan posted the results of a test he did sucking up without a drain first and the protection results were clear, your freeze point was substantially affected. For those of us in the north this could be a very costly mistake, always drain first, plain and simple. Regarding plugs, one of my boats I have winterized since new for the past 12 years and all my plugs are still in perfect condition, use the correct tools and they should last forever.