quick boat winterizing question, thanks

MentallyChallenged

MentallyChallenged

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Winterizing a 3.0L mer-cruiser in a stingray boat. I know you have to flush out the lower gear oil and install it bottom up, fogging oil in the cylinders, grease and yada yada yada. Do these stern drivers require any other matinence?
 
Antifreeze needs to be circulated through the entire cooling system to displace all the water.:wink:
 
MCM said:
Antifreeze needs to be circulated through the entire cooling system to displace all the water.:wink:
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You know I've never done that with my outboards, and have never had a problem. :dontknow: I'll see if theres an owners/matinence manual specifically for that engine/outdrive.
 
HemiChallenger said:
You know I've never done that with my outboards, and have never had a problem. :dontknow: I'll see if theres an owners/matinence manual specifically for that engine/outdrive.
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No, it's not necessary with an outboard - I thought you had an I/O.:doh:
 
I/O, needs a flush


on the cheap, use you muffs(you have some to run it with a hose, right?

get a bucket or similar, 3 gallons or so of RV antifreeze, run a hose from the bottom of the bucket to the muffs, place bucket above the engine(top of transom) fill the bucket with the antifreeze, then start the engine, run it for as long as you can, till the antifreeze comes out the discharge port, and until you run most/all of the antifreeze from the bucket, then shut the engine off, (if you desire, when the antifreeze is low, fog the carb), now change the oil, and if desired, pull the plugs and fog the cylinders, anything else you need to do, do so now, wouldn't hurt to change the lower unit lube, ect.
 
dave89iroc said:
I/O, needs a flush


on the cheap, use you muffs(you have some to run it with a hose, right?

get a bucket or similar, 3 gallons or so of RV antifreeze, run a hose from the bottom of the bucket to the muffs, place bucket above the engine(top of transom) fill the bucket with the antifreeze, then start the engine, run it for as long as you can, till the antifreeze comes out the discharge port, and until you run most/all of the antifreeze from the bucket, then shut the engine off, (if you desire, when the antifreeze is low, fog the carb), now change the oil, and if desired, pull the plugs and fog the cylinders, anything else you need to do, do so now, wouldn't hurt to change the lower unit lube, ect.
Click to expand...


Thank you sir, this is what I was hoping to get some insight on.
 
fog_350pxh.jpg
 
I thought the 3.0L Mercruiser was an I/O (inboard/outboard). Anyway, dave89iroc's procedure is spot-on correct, but you want to make sure you get the engine up to operating temperature to ensure that the thermostat is open so the coolant gets completely circulated throughout the entire system. I typically run water through the muffs until it gets up to temp. Then I shut the engine off, disconnect the garden hose, and then attach a short length of garden hose (3 foot or so) with the end cut off and put a big funnel in it. Have your coolant ready (uncapped and ready to pour), start the engine and keep adding coolant until it comes out the exhaust/discharge port), then shut your engine off. Done.
 
I just thought of this also, it might be a good idea to remove the lower unit so you can check/grease the u-joints and gimbal bearing. While it's not necessary for winterization, it probably should be done, especially if it hasn't been done before. You can do this in the springtime, but it's good preventative maintenance for an I/O (relatively easy to do).
 
aligning the lower unit can be a PITA! need special tools.

Another Q:

what about the drain petcocks on the engine? Drain the water out?
 
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