Two winterization questions

[east tx skier]

Okay, today was my first PCM winterization and like most firsts, it wasn't without its snags.

First, I typically don't use antifreeze, but decided to this year for whatever corrosion protection it might give me. Problem was that one of my manifold plugs was not coming free and I was too the point of tearing the brass up. The plan was to drain, replug, and add about 1.5 gallons of antifreeze through the water pump out hose. But since there was some water in one of the manifolds, I picked up 3 more gallons of antifreeze (5 total) and sucked it up through the hose I had attached to the transmission cooler.

So my question is, since I ran five gallons through, is that enough that I don't have to worry about it being diluted by what was in that one manifold.

My other question has to do with a dumb move on my part. When I got in the garage, I pulled the plug on the bottom of the j-tube. My plan was to not soak the impeller in antifreeze all winter as my dealer said antifreeze eats them up a bit. Don't know why I care as I will replace it in the spring. But when I got the plug loose, I instantly realized my mistake (I for some reason was under the impression that this was hull side of the water pump). I also instantly saw that a ton of antifreeze drained out.

Did I just drain the block? Not terribly worried if I did as it is stored in an attached garage in TX. My main question is about whether I ran enough antifreeze.

Thanks in advance.

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Two winterization questions

I would think your covered with 5 gallons. That is what my dealer in NC used when they drained the block, so you should have displaced most of the water with antifreeze. The manifold plugs can be a bear to get out, I put some anti seaze compound on mine this year, hope it will pay off next year.

[nautique95]

RE: Two winterization questions

That will be plenty. I drain all the water out of my 330 with a heater and it only takes three gallons to refill everything so if you put five through it you will be safe.

[east tx skier]

Thanks for the reassurance. I recalled reading five gallons or three. It just sucked it up so fast I started wondering.

As for the plug, I figured Murphy's law dictated that at least one of them would be stubborn, but this one is not coming out. I usually put teflon tape on my plugs. The previous owner had it on all of the plugs but that one. Oh well, I'll deal with it in the spring.

[TRBenj]

Re: Two winterization questions

When I got in the garage, I pulled the plug on the bottom of the j-tube. My plan was to not soak the impeller in antifreeze all winter as my dealer said antifreeze eats them up a bit. Did I just drain the block?

Yup, sounds like you did drain the top half of the block Doug! I usually do that before adding the antifreeze, not after Yellow_Flash_Colorz: .

Im sure you realize what you did now, but that U-tube sits between the thermostat housing and the circ pump- no need to touch it when removing the RWP.

Since you pulled a full 5 gallons through, I would think that you have adequate freeze protection in that manifold. It takes just over 3 gallons to fill my block, so I assume you had A/F exiting out the exhaust?

[east tx skier]

Re: Two winterization questions

When I got in the garage, I pulled the plug on the bottom of the j-tube. My plan was to not soak the impeller in antifreeze all winter as my dealer said antifreeze eats them up a bit. Did I just drain the block?

Yup, sounds like you did drain the top half of the block Doug! I usually do that before adding the antifreeze, not after Yellow_Flash_Colorz: .

Im sure you realize what you did now, but that U-tube sits between the thermostat housing and the circ pump- no need to touch it when removing the RWP.

Since you pulled a full 5 gallons through, I would think that you have adequate freeze protection in that manifold. It takes just over 3 gallons to fill my block, so I assume you had A/F exiting out the exhaust?

It was dark by the time I got back with the other three gallons. I'd drained the water from everywhere else, so I'm pretty certain I did it right (except for draining it afterwards). I'll get it right next time. Not too worried about it freezing, whether it has all the a/f in it or not. First time I've ever run antifreeze to begin with.