Can a 496 be damaged with freezing temps?
#22
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Delray Beach, FL
I agree.
There are a lot of things to consider. Was it covered? If it was covered, at least the vents didnt have air blowing around the engine compartment. When its zero outside it is usually including windchill. Since the engine compartment is closed, its not toasty, but it isnt 15 below either.
Worst case scenario is probably the exhaust cracking. This could be looked at favorably as you could upgrade it next spring. If its the closed cooling log it still isnt that expensive. The engine has coolant, so its fine.
#24
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974
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From: Boca Raton, FL
I agree.
There are a lot of things to consider. Was it covered? If it was covered, at least the vents didnt have air blowing around the engine compartment. When its zero outside it is usually including windchill. Since the engine compartment is closed, its not toasty, but it isnt 15 below either.
Worst case scenario is probably the exhaust cracking. This could be looked at favorably as you could upgrade it next spring. If its the closed cooling log it still isnt that expensive. The engine has coolant, so its fine.
There are a lot of things to consider. Was it covered? If it was covered, at least the vents didnt have air blowing around the engine compartment. When its zero outside it is usually including windchill. Since the engine compartment is closed, its not toasty, but it isnt 15 below either.
Worst case scenario is probably the exhaust cracking. This could be looked at favorably as you could upgrade it next spring. If its the closed cooling log it still isnt that expensive. The engine has coolant, so its fine.
#26
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,748
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From: Delray Beach, FL
Well heck run a hose to it and start it up! LOL At least you'll have an early start on fixing it for the summer if it is broken.
#27
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,594
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From: Ft. Worth TX
Possible check valve and or cool fuel internally especially the GEN III cool fuel. That needed to be thrown in the mix ALSO since those two items was not mention. I don't care what Mercruiser motor you have if it has a Gen III cool fuel system they all need to be drained. We winterize about 85 min. of those alone and you would be surprised how much water the Gen III cool system holds after you drained eveything else.
#28
#29
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,748
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From: Delray Beach, FL
I'm a Pennsylvania boy. I know what snow is! And I lived in Georgia for 12 years and it got down under 30 degrees there TWICE! So there!
By the way, its 80 here right now, how it is up there? LOL
By the way, its 80 here right now, how it is up there? LOL
#30
I have a friend with a 496 mag ho. He stores this boat inside every winter but this year was slow to tow it to the storage facility. With the boat sitting outside we had hi/low temps of 32/19, 34/24 and 34/23. I would assume the block is safe but the manifolds? Heat exchanger? Anything else he should be concerned with?
The ambient temps are borderline for getting water to freeze. If the daytime highs were higher, I wouldn't be concerned. If the boat was in the sun, that will help also.





