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Can you winterize a boat without starting the engines

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Old 10-01-2008 | 09:44 PM
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Default Can you winterize a boat without starting the engines

I had my mechanic winterize my engines this year as he does every year, however all the batteries were dead and he couldnt get it started so he dumped antifreeze through the hose for the manifolds and the hose that goes through the engine and we watched it leak out through the block plugs that were pulled out.. is this good enough? im kind of worried because ive never seen it done this way before
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Old 10-01-2008 | 09:48 PM
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Get another mechanic!
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Old 10-01-2008 | 09:51 PM
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You trust him to winterize it, when he couldn't even get it to start because of a dead battery???????

Is he going warranty it if it freezes???????

It might be fine and might not. Depends if the AF got into all the places with water.
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Old 10-01-2008 | 10:28 PM
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hmm... you got me worried.. i need some more input... please
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Old 10-01-2008 | 10:30 PM
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that is not a good sign, throw a battery in it, and do it yourself, it is really pretty simple
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Old 10-01-2008 | 10:34 PM
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He may have protected it from freezing, but he did nothing for fuel and cylinder protection. Good enough not to freeze only. If it didn't run when you put it away no telling if it will run in spring.
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Old 10-02-2008 | 06:47 AM
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Do it yourself, or sleeping when the temperature starts dropping LOW will not be in your wheelhouse. Better to do it yourself then trust someone who can't get your boat running for 5 min. Just my opinion. Others may chime in........ding
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Old 10-02-2008 | 06:49 AM
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doing the antifreeze that way is fine as long as both block plugs were pulled and he watched until it flowed out, the manifolds need to be done the same way now as well as they will have water still in there, now as far as fogging goes, that did not happen, and I've done fogging and no fogging and have seen no differnce there....you can add a battery and spin the egine over enough to get fogging oil in if you feel the need, or pull the plugs and spray that way....Rob
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Old 10-02-2008 | 07:15 AM
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In an emergency I would do something like that. But as a practice no way. You have to remember that there are coolers to deal with (oil/powersteering). Also as said before if the AF didn't everywhere you can have issues.

As for fogging, it is important not only for the cylinders but also the valve seat. If your seat rust up over winter your looking at a valve job to correct
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Old 10-02-2008 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by CIG3
You have to remember that there are coolers to deal with (oil/powersteering).
BINGO!!!

The coolers are subjected to Cracking if water is trapped in there. Get the engine running and get the coolant through the system!!

And get a new mechanic
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