What if water froze in the block?

[benwa43]

I didn't get my boat winterized as early as I should have and we had about four nights with lows in the mid teens last fall. The boat lives in a storage unit but I am concerned that it got cold enough to freeze any water that was in the engine. When getting the boat back on the water this spring, what are some things to pay particular attention to (ie. what are signs and symptoms of damage)?

2002 196 GT40 heater pp

[882001]

RE: What if water froze in the block?

dude, that sucks! sorry to hear.some of the same symptoms you would have if you had a blown head gasket. look for water in the oil. a foamy froth isnt good. may or may not run like ****. look for the freeze{casting } plugs and see if any popped out. damaged heads, block, i would assume the timing chain cover and exhaust and intake manifold, raw water and circ pump could all be damaged, they all have water in them. im sure some one knows more than me. i live in houston

[882001]

RE: What if water froze in the block?

correctcraft fan would be a better place to ask.

[ag4ever]

RE: What if water froze in the block?

There was a post that showed a temperature chart with exterior temps, inside the boat temps and under the engine cover temps. It was shocking to see how long it could be freezing before the engine would actually freeze. You might be OK.

[surroundsound64]

Re: RE: What if water froze in the block?

There was a post that showed a temperature chart with exterior temps, inside the boat temps and under the engine cover temps. It was shocking to see how long it could be freezing before the engine would actually freeze. You might be OK.

I don't doubt the info that was on that chart, I think it was Mikeski who made it, but the temperature trends in my boat are much different. It is a much older boat so that may be the reason, but one night of upper 20s ambient will have the air in the engine compartment below freezing. Just be careful.

One year when I didn't get it winterized quick enough I had some freeze damage. My exhaust manifolds cracked really bad.

[jchamlin]

I was late one time getting mine winterized. When I took the plugs out there was actually ice mush in the block. I was worried about it all winter, but when I started it up, there were no problems, and it's had at least one season of use.

As ag4ever mentioned, you might be OK. I would think it takes multiple days of below freezing temperatures to do some serious damage to the block.

When you get on the lake, just pay attention to the temperature and check the oil after a few minutes of running. If your oil looks normal, you're probably OK. I've been through the anxiety, so I feel for ya...good luck.

[benwa43]

I will keep my fingers crossed. I should have it out in the next week or so. I am really kicking myself for not just getting it put up when I should have.

[DRAGON88]

Next time just throw a 60w light under the oil pan in the bilge until you can get around to winterizing it. That is if you have a power source at your storage place.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, our Sport Nautique was not winterized when a snow storm that lasted a week came through and the engine was fine. It honestly takes a lot to crack a block.

[nautique95]

I would bet that you are safe. If it is inside it will take awhile for the block to freeze solid. The easy thing to check would be your raw water strainer/filter and see if there is ice in that, that would be the first thing that would have froze.

[benwa43]

I finally got out on the water and it seemed to run fine. I changed the oil before putting it away for the winter and it is so clean that I can't detect water in the oil if there is any. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[ag4ever]

Just keep looking at the oil for the first few trips out.

You still want to make sure there are no fine cracks that are not leaking right now, but might open up with more use.

I would put money on the engine being fine though.