Winterizing a G23 with a heater

[RDT-G23]

I’m winterizing my 2017 G23 for the first time (with a tech). Henceforth, I'll do it on my own. That said, I understand winterizing with a heater is kind of a pain. Can anybody opine? Thanks.

[NautiqueJeff]

On the H5/H6, they will all have the blue plugs and are super easy to drain. Takes all of five minutes. The only thing that doesn't have a plug is the heater, and that just requires disconnecting the two red hoses and introducing air pressure into either one to force the water out of the other.

Here are the drain locations for the H5 and H6 (NON-Coastal):






Here are the drain locations for the H5 and H6 (Coastal):



Note: If your boat is a Coastal Edition, there is no need to winterize the heater because it will have antifreeze in it already.

[Evening Shade]

Great diagram here. Don't forget to empty the strainer cup as well.

Jeff, what about draining the tranny cooler? It isn't mentioned in the above diagram.

[sixcampbells]

super easy! did my 2017 in 15 minutes. my dealer said NO need to drain the tranny cooler for the 2017 G models. it drains out of one of the BLUE plugs.

[GMLIII]

super easy! did my 2017 in 15 minutes. my dealer said NO need to drain the tranny cooler for the 2017 G models. it drains out of one of the BLUE plugs.

Good to know. Thanks for the input

[sixcampbells]

GMLIII - please validate my comment on the tranny cooler. I feel confident it's correct based on where the data came from but you never know. I would hate for something bad to happen...... Maybe somebody else will comment here and help validate what I heard.

[Evening Shade]

GMLIII - please validate my comment on the tranny cooler. I feel confident it's correct based on where the data came from but you never know. I would hate for something bad to happen...... Maybe somebody else will comment here and help validate what I heard.

Yes, I would like someone to validate this as well, for peace of mind.

[Quinner]

On the H5/H6, they will all have the blue plugs and are super easy to drain. Takes all of five minutes. The only thing that doesn't have a plug is the heater, and that just requires disconnecting the two red hoses and introducing air pressure into either one to force the water out of the other.

Not familiar with the exact plumbing on the H5/H6 but likely you can save yourself a minute and just remove one heater hose, ideally the higher one and as long as all the blue plugs are out as you blow the water thru it will just drain out the nearest plug hole.

No trans cooler plug shown on the diagram above, that would be pretty good validation from me. If you want to double check just locate the cooler and follow the water lines to/from, if there is a plug downline and lower then the cooler, you are double validated!

[sixcampbells]

Thank you Quinner!

[RDT-G23]

It turned out to be quite easy. We pulled all of the plugs and a heater hose as well. We drained/cleaned the strainer cup also. It is a shame we can't run the engine with some fuel/two cycle oil or fog them in some way. I'm told the catalysts are the reason not... Boy, I sure don't like the catalysts. From having my boat delivered without one of them in the exhaust manifold, to them causing more heat in the engine compartment, to well, just about everything-I don't like 'em...

[abbcmt]

This is my first time winterizing my nautique G23 with the H6 motor. I live in South Carolina now and have pulled the drain plugs including the v-drive and transmission cooler hose. I also pulled off and drained the hoses to the heater and blew them out with low pressure compressed air Do I need to run RV antifreeze through the engine? My dealer said they did? If so what is the best way to get the RV antifreeze in the engine with the boat on a lift over the water? I have a fresh water flush but I am thinking that will not work without pressure.

Thanks,

Brian

[GMLIII]

I'm hoping you do not have to use any antifreeze but I'm not entirely certain . I'm curious as to the responses you receive on this thread since I have a 2017 G23 with an H6

[NautiqueJeff]

I never use antifreeze in mine. Just be sure to get all of the water out. If I lived in a colder climate, I might consider it, but here in NC, as long as all the water is out, I feel plenty safe. I have five engines in my Nautiques here, and haven't run antifreeze in them over the winter for many years.

[Infinity]

Biggest reason for the AF, IMO, is the anti-corrosive qualities...no way to get every drop of water out which can cause some corrosion over winter months (I am also in NC), so I do the AF to prevent corrosion and have little more peace of mind when it gets cold, tho I am sure its not needed for that.

[GMLIII]

I never use antifreeze in mine. Just be sure to get all of the water out. If I lived in a colder climate, I might consider it, but here in NC, as long as all the water is out, I feel plenty safe. I have five engines in my Nautiques here, and haven't run antifreeze in them over the winter for many years.

Thanks Jeff I never used antifreeze in my 2001 Sport Nautique GT 40 either for a 15 year period with no problems after draining all the water, but I was unclear on the H6 engine in my G23. Glad I can just winterize with draining all the plugs and water strainer basket.