Winterizing Question
 

I searched the forum for answers but didn't get what I was looking for.

I have a Powerquest 29 with twin 454 MPI's.

I want to make sure I winterized the motors OK. Here's what I did:

1. Stabil in the gas
2. Ran motors for about 20 minutes with muffs to bring to operating temp.
3. Disconnected raw water pump line in bilge where it enters drive
4. Stuck a funnel in this line, started motors, and poured 3 gallons of -60 pink pop and let motor pull antifreeze in. Immediately shut off motor when last bit of antifreeze was in the hose
5. Changed the oil

Am I OK? Or asking for trouble?

Thanks in advance

Re: Winterizing Question
 

I'm not sure that 3 gallons is enough. My BBC motors take over 3 gallons via the thermostat housing after draining the water out....and that doesn't include the seawater pump or the headers.

Re: Winterizing Question
 

not sure that is enough either,,, when I used the pink stuff on my old 454 I would drain risers and block before running it through, and then drain risers and block again after running the RV through it.. Usually used about 3-4 gallons but wasn't diluted because I drained everything before and after..

Here is my procedure...

1. grease trailer bearings, coupler, gimble

2. run fuel as low as possible, stabalize whats left...

3. Change gear lube.

4. start engine, get up to operating temp. Change engine oil and filter

5. pump out water with little blue pump. for 454 drain Block and risers

6. start engine and run 2 gallons of pink RV anti-freeze through it and stop. For 454 just run 4 gallons of anti-freeze though it, when your down to one gallon left, fog with marvel mysery oil through carb... Skip # 7 and 8

7. pull fuel filter, dump half the gas out of it and fill the rest with 2-stroke oil.

8. reinstall fuel filter, start engine run an additional 2 gallons of pink RV.

9. pump out RV with little blue pump. for 454 Drain risers and block.

10. Depending on how anal you are, pull each plug and squirt oil into cylinders.

11. Install fresh fuel filter.

Re: Winterizing Question
 

hmm... not sure what I should do now.....

Re: Winterizing Question
 

If it were me, I'd either drain the block/risers/coolers...and fill with fresh antifreeze or remove the thermostat and continue to run more antifreeze through it as you did before (without warming motor up with water).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the alternative is keep the boat warm or risk damage from freezing. I would not take the risk

Re: Winterizing Question
 

I pull the thermostats and run about 5-6 gallons of pink antifreeze through it. Has always worked for me.

Re: Winterizing Question
 

The pink in the blocks will be dilluted due to recirculation. Pull the block plugs and drain and then refill the blocks through the thermostat housing or by pulling the big hose off the top of the housing that goes to the water pump and fill through it.

Re: Winterizing Question
 

Your only mistake was to not drain the block and risers before running the RV through it.. for 8.00 I wouldn't risk it,, Drain it, and add 2 or 3 gallons more... then drain everything again... I left a bottle of pink stuff on my porch one night and it got slushy, never saw or heard anyone say it froze solid, but I always re-drain everything to be sure...

Re: Winterizing Question
 

Just pull the 4 plugs and a couple hoses and skip the antifreeze all together. The only engines I have ever seen crack are ones people try to fill with antifreeze and doesn't mix in well. If you drain it there is nothing to freeze. I don't know why people are so reluctant to do this, it takes less than 5 min and is 100% effective in fresh water boats. Salt you better flush very well first with some surfactant as well.

Re: Winterizing Question
 

1. Drain block (2 plugs)
2. Drain exhaust (2 hoses)
3. Drain impeller housing
4. If you have, drain cool fuel (1 plug)
5. Remove 4 lines from Stat hosuing
6. Fill big hose with app. 3 gallons of antifreeze (block)
7. fill 2 exhaust manifold hoses with app.1/2 gallon each antifreeze
8. Fill hose to oil coller/coolfuel/PS cooler with app 1/2 gallon AF

Tools needed--- 5/16" nut driver
time required--- 30 minutes at most
Cost--- 4-5 gallons of antifreeze
Worry about freezing time--0