winterizing a 500 efi
 

This is my first year winterizing this boat. My other boats had a block drain plug on both sides of the motor however these motors, 500efi's, have a plug only on one side. The other side has a hose plummed into the block about the same area as the side containing the plug. These hoses/lines (about 5/8") appear to be long enough to reach the helm area but are coiled up in the bottom of the engine compartment. The ends are unplugged so I'm not sure as to what purpose they serve. Is anybody familiar with this setup?

PS. The boat was ordered from the factory all set up for blowers just in case somebody wanted to install them (boost gages are installed in the dash). Could these hoses/lines have something to do with this?

The block drains are in the same place. I suspect the hose is connected to block drain and there is a valve you can turn somewhere close to the block to let the water out. You could also just remove the hose and fitting on the block. It should have nothing to do with being prepped for a blower engine.

Most Hustler's have mechanical water pressure gauges installed in the dash. More than likely you are seeing the hoses for these. My guess is someone replaced the water pressure gauges with boost gauges.
Steve

Alright, I appreciate your responses. I'll look for a shut-off valve but I'm pretty sure that there isn't one. Also, I do have working water pressure gages in the dash. Maybe these lines do go to the dash and the coiled lines are for something else. If these lines coming out of the block are for water pressure do they need to be disconnected for winterizing? I would think so.?.?.?.

When I winterize I start up the engine and run on the muffs till I see at least 160 on the temp. gauage. Shut off and drain block by opening pecock on block and removing water pressure hose(9/16"wrench) at the block. Allow water to drain completely (may need to clear drain holes with wire or a small screwdriver). Close drains and reconnect pressure hose. Hook up RV antifreeze tank to muffs and start engine and run until antifreeze spits out exhaust (about 4 gal.) shut off engine. Wipe everything down.
Steve

just did my 500 efi's today. There ARE block drains on BOTH sides of the block. I also have water pressure gauges. on the starboard side of the block I have a brass fitting with the water line for gauges and a brass drain/block off plug at the end of fitting. the port side I have the standard BLUE wingnut fitting to drain that side.

Thanks to all, these responses really help. I called the dealer today that I bought the boat from. He said that they winterize boats the same way that Steve (NEVERSATISFIED) suggested by running antifreeze through the motor. I checked with our local boat dealer's however they don't sell antifreeze for this purpose, they still winterize the old fashion way by just removing the drain plugs. So now I have to find out where I can buy large jugs of it.

RV antifreeze is available just about everywhere (pink stuff). Get about 6-7 gallons per motor.

after I drain the blocks,exhausr,pumps and coolers I just pull a couple hoses off the T-stat housing and fill them up till antifreeze pours out or its filled. I used about 5-6 gals per motor. I would just run the motor and fill with antifreeze but I would alsays be worried that the T-stat might close?

Walmart, Menards, etc. Pink RV antifreeze is about $4 a gallon and 5 Gallons per engine should be plenty as long as you have them warmed up to temp to open Tstats first.

pink antifreeze still freezes @ 17 degrees,my refractor tells me so!

on one side theirs a plug,the other side you have to remove the knock sensor to drain the block,dont ask me why but i think its a stupid location for it..

warm up the engine then drain what you can by pulling the plugs and hoses,get a 5 gallon gas can and fill it with antifreeze,find a old section of 3/4 garden hose and cut to fit,set the gas can on your swim plarform and hoof it up to your ear muffs.have a friend start your boat and release the vent on the gas can and your engine will suck the antifreeze through the engine..make sure you take the oil filter off and dunp a little gas out of it and top it off with 2stroke oil for fogging and to lube the injectors..

Yep, the pink does freeze. It just does not expand until -50*

OK, I did everything just like this but couldn't get the motor to suck up the antifreeze. I put the bucket of antifreeze on the swim platform but no dice. Maybe there wasn't a good seal at the muffs but I think I'm gonna check into installing a flush kit. Then there shouldn't be any questions.

Resurrecting an old thread...I found all the drain plugs except for port side of engine block. From what I read and hear the drain block is replaced with a sensor. Can someone post a picture? Or point to it on a diagram. I wanna be sure I am removing the right thing. Thanks.

The 500 EFI has about 5 or 6 blue plugs, in the block, ps cooler, oil cooler seapump an headers, I would pull them all out, let drain, put them back in and fill with the rv antifreeze and run it till it comes out the tips

I found them all: 2 in the front, (1) in each header / 2 total, and (1) Starboard side block. So that's 5 altogether. I can't figure out the port side. Need some help.

The block drain is there on the lower port side of the block.
It could have a small water pressure hose and fitting coming out of it if you have water pressure gauge.
Try using a mirror to help locate it.

I see what you are talking about but should I take the sensors out or the fitting off?

think we are going to forgo taking sensors out and only take plugs out that are available. Do our typical burping routine by running it for 10 seconds and then run the engine on ear muffs with antifreeze for a few mins. This should be adequate

use a clear plastic cup and take a sample to make sure you have solid pink out the exhaust with no water mixture, you should be fine

Will do. My guess is we are getting at least 90% of the water by draining what we can. We will run a solid 8 gallons of antifreeze thru.