Winterizing 496 or 496HO or 496Mag
10-31-2007, 08:55 AM
#61
VIP Member
Internal cooling passages of what? Other than those motors with cast iron manifolds instead of aluminum, what is there to rust? I've pumped the water out using the blue pump and pulled the 4 plugs (2 on the fuel cooler, 2 on the sea water pump) and have had zero problems after 4 seasons. It got well below zero in my storage shed last year. I agree running antifreeze through is the safe way to go but my experience proves it is not necessary.
My advice passed here on the board is from my mechanic, (John Smith aka Pwrbt33 here on OSO). And he was not drumming up business, as he knows I do my own work.
There are a couple of threads in the Technical Discussion area about this, that have also been brought to the top. The Heat Exchanger does not get completely evacuated of water by the air pump. Several people have found this out the hard way. I am glad you have not been one of those unfortunate ones. Also, you boat in fresh water, so residual salt and associated rust potential is not as great of an issue for you.
Last edited by Sydwayz; 10-31-2007 at 08:57 AM.
10-31-2007, 03:25 PM
#62
Registered
My advice passed here on the board is from my mechanic, (John Smith aka Pwrbt33 here on OSO). And he was not drumming up business, as he knows I do my own work.
There are a couple of threads in the Technical Discussion area about this, that have also been brought to the top. The Heat Exchanger does not get completely evacuated of water by the air pump. Several people have found this out the hard way. I am glad you have not been one of those unfortunate ones. Also, you boat in fresh water, so residual salt and associated rust potential is not as great of an issue for you.
There are a couple of threads in the Technical Discussion area about this, that have also been brought to the top. The Heat Exchanger does not get completely evacuated of water by the air pump. Several people have found this out the hard way. I am glad you have not been one of those unfortunate ones. Also, you boat in fresh water, so residual salt and associated rust potential is not as great of an issue for you.
09-22-2009, 12:45 PM
#63
Guest
Posts: n/a
Again, I don't use the garden hose to prime, then switch method. I added the valve stem to utilize air pressure. I also hook my kit directly to my flush kit, not the earmuffs. (Tip, if you have a water pickup for your head/toilet system, this tool works well just as I have modified it to winterize your whole system as well.)
1. Here is the jug with just two gallons of antifeeze in it, no air pressure.
2. Hook up the cheapy air compressor (not an industrial air compressor) and build some pressure in the jug, (just go by looks on this, I don't go by a guage; you just want the jug to expand a bit, and be tight to the touch.)
3. Pressurized
1. Here is the jug with just two gallons of antifeeze in it, no air pressure.
2. Hook up the cheapy air compressor (not an industrial air compressor) and build some pressure in the jug, (just go by looks on this, I don't go by a guage; you just want the jug to expand a bit, and be tight to the touch.)
3. Pressurized
Nice setup!
I am following your procedure for winterize. Do you think I would be ok with just gravity feed from a 5-gal pale on the swim platform and hose running down to my muffs? (low water pick-up taped shut)
Is the pink stuff harder for the impeller to suck in or something?
Thx
09-22-2009, 06:05 PM
#64
Registered
Very interesting reading, but!
If the boat is used in fresh water and stored in a shelter with an automatic antifreeze heating system, is the engine winterization still useful?
This year I'm dealing with a 496HO boat for the first time, and I would like to treat it properly.
But I had other boats in the past, used and stored in the same conditions (though always with carb blocks): never did anything at all, and never had any trouble.
The same goes for all other boats stored in the same marina, btw.
This year I'm dealing with a 496HO boat for the first time, and I would like to treat it properly.
But I had other boats in the past, used and stored in the same conditions (though always with carb blocks): never did anything at all, and never had any trouble.
The same goes for all other boats stored in the same marina, btw.
09-22-2009, 07:09 PM
#65
NQ,
I recommend the Winterizing Kit. Gravity feed never did well for me and that was with the 5 gallon jug atop a 10' ladder feeding INTO the garden hose fitting heading directly to the SWP. Hence why I went with the pressurized jug. NOT to mention you are relying on pulling the antifreeze UP the outdrive and through the transom assembly, which is all filled with air (unless you do the hose prime method). You can (easily) burn up an impeller in seconds.
Muffs SUCK!!! Especially for winterizing.
mapism,
What happens if the power goes out due to a bad (& cold) winter storm? I'd do a full winterization without hesitation. It's not worth the risk.
1 hour & less than $100.US of supplies vs. a new engine block...
I recommend the Winterizing Kit. Gravity feed never did well for me and that was with the 5 gallon jug atop a 10' ladder feeding INTO the garden hose fitting heading directly to the SWP. Hence why I went with the pressurized jug. NOT to mention you are relying on pulling the antifreeze UP the outdrive and through the transom assembly, which is all filled with air (unless you do the hose prime method). You can (easily) burn up an impeller in seconds.
Muffs SUCK!!! Especially for winterizing.
mapism,
What happens if the power goes out due to a bad (& cold) winter storm? I'd do a full winterization without hesitation. It's not worth the risk.
1 hour & less than $100.US of supplies vs. a new engine block...
09-22-2009, 08:12 PM
#66
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kennesaw, GA
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I learned the hard way last year. The prior year i did just the air pump on my 496 well the heat exchanger had water in it froze and busted. The next year the lake water mixed with the coolant then during the winter froze and broke the block. From now on it gets 5 gallons of coolant, it was a very expensive lesson. I live in Ga and it doesn't get that cold for that long dont be lazy do it right.
09-22-2009, 09:49 PM
#67
I learned the hard way last year. The prior year i did just the air pump on my 496 well the heat exchanger had water in it froze and busted. The next year the lake water mixed with the coolant then during the winter froze and broke the block. From now on it gets 5 gallons of coolant, it was a very expensive lesson. I live in Ga and it doesn't get that cold for that long dont be lazy do it right.
09-23-2009, 09:03 AM
#68
Registered
I learned the hard way last year. The prior year i did just the air pump on my 496 well the heat exchanger had water in it froze and busted. The next year the lake water mixed with the coolant then during the winter froze and broke the block. From now on it gets 5 gallons of coolant, it was a very expensive lesson. I live in Ga and it doesn't get that cold for that long dont be lazy do it right.
Even though I never had any problems just purging the water, last season I ran antifreeze through the raw water system after purging the water. Brian (Sydwayz) badgered me into doing it!
09-23-2009, 09:12 AM
#69
Great point on checking the integrity of the Dexcool Antifreeze as well.
The manual calls for 5 year replacement. I went into my 6th season this spring, and sure enough mine had silted up, was not efficiently cooling, and required a flushing and full replacement.
Last edited by Sydwayz; 09-23-2009 at 09:16 AM.
