Please Double Check My Checklist

Updated with the suggestions...

1993 5.8L PCM

1.     Add Sea Foam to full tank of gas

AT THE LAKE

2.     Run motor up to temperature
   a.       Fog motor and shut down

3.     Drain water: (2) block, (2) manifold, (1) trans oil cooler (or pull lower hose off), (1) “U” Joint
   a.        Use wire to clean out any debris
   b.        Raise and lower tongue to remove all water
   

AT HOME

4.     Change motor oil/filter (while warm)
   a.        Use gallon Ziploc bag for filter
   b.        Oil: Valvoline VR1 (not synthetic!!) 20w-50 (5 quarts)
   c.        Filter: Motocraft FL-1A

5.     Change tranny oil (while warm)
   a.        Valvoline Dex/Merc III ATF

6.     Unplug coil wire and bump motor to circulate fresh oil

7.     Drain/clean water strainer

8.     Remove raw water pump and impeller                            
   a.        Store impeller in a Ziploc bag/replace if needed

9.     Replace all drain plugs
   b.        Use anti-seize on bolts

10.     Pour RV anti-freeze in the upper hose that attaches to the raw water pump
   a.        Raise the end of the hose above engine level
   b.        3-4 gallons of pink RV anti-freeze
   c.       Leave in until spring

11.     Loosen both belts

12.     Remove any water from bilge

13.     Clean spark arrestor

14.     Clean motor with a rag soaked with WD-40

15.     Remove battery, ballast bags, life vests, and cushions to store indoors

16.     Wash/dry cover and spray with waterproofing spray

17.     Vacuum interior/clean vinyl with Z care

18.     Top off gas and treat new gas with Sea Foam

19.     Dryer sheets in boat

20.     Wash/wax exterior

21.     Restock beer

Wow, thats thorough. Nice list!

I dont think you can go wrong with how you described it, but if you want to save a few minutes, I cut a few corners relative to that procedure. There are also a few things that are up for debate.

-Your '93 will have a plastic tank, so you have the option to leave less fuel in it if you want. Metal tanks need to be more careful of condensation and the damage it causes. Id be inclined to leave the gas low in a plastic tanked boat and fill up with fresh stuff in the spring.

-I fog and then change the oil (and drain the water) and never restart it. Just a few revolutions of cranking the engine (pull the coil wire) is enough to circulate the fresh oil.

TIP: removing the fill cap makes the oil drain much more quickly.

-Fogging each individual spark plug is overkill if youre fogging down the carb.

-Filling the tranny to the top is also very much optional...

-No need to store the impeller in a ziplock bag.

-Id top the battery off with a charge (if needed) but removing it from the boat isnt necessary- just disconnect the cables. I left mine in last winter for the first time, and just like Pete said, no adverse effects. I topped them off with a charge in the spring.

-Dont forget to drain any lines that run to/from any heaters or showers, if applicable.

-I wouldnt re-up the water proofing on the cover unless you clean it first. Commercial grade washing machines (at the laundromat) work well for this. Spot treat any stains.

-Before tucking it into storage, be absolutely sure that the boat is dry inside. Putting it away wet or damp will ensure you get mold over the winter!

-Put those dryer sheets EVERYWHERE. I go through half a box per boat.

-Surely you forgot to mention this is easily a 2-3 beer job?

Critters, the scent is a favorable byproduct.

Or you can go with Pete's coyote urine soaked panty-hos...

Good tip thanks fellas. Arm and Hammer is by far the strongest dryer sheet out there so I will load it up.

kvand347 wrote: Hollywood wrote: Raise and lower the tongue during the drain stage     Raise and lower using the jack? Is this to remove all water? Won't the A/F push all water out?

Yes, with the jack. You'll be surprised how much more water you get out of that starboard engine drain plug. Otherwise, it will mix instead of displace and therefore weaken it's freeze protection properties.

Hollywood wrote: Critters, the scent is a favorable byproduct. Or you can go with Pete's coyote urine soaked panty-hos...

Can't say that I've ever smelled that stuff...certainly racoon and doe pee!

Perfect. Use the ramp to your advantage, I pull DOWN hill to get that drain as low as possible before heading home.

If the tank is already full, try not to overfill it later. Gas can spill out the overflow vent and ruin any pinstriping/decals below it.

Does your charger "float"? Even a trickle charger can overcharge a battery. Don't just leave it on indefinitely. I've just disconnected the negative cable and left it in the boat the last few winters. Throwing it on the charger in spring while you're opening it back up should be enough.

Wow..... What a list.

I don't see anything about making sure the tranny cooler has no water in it???

I don't pull the impeller since it gets replaced every 2-3 years anyway, same with the belts.

My advice is to take as little apart at the end of the year as possible. Putting every part you remove in 1 ziplock bag is probably a good plan.

I put 1500 hours on the last boat...no problems....230 hours on the current boat in 2 years... no problems.

The biggest issue with these boats are the ones that only run 10-15 hours a year.

Hollywood wrote: Does your charger "float"? Even a trickle charger can overcharge a battery. Don't just leave it on indefinitely. I've just disconnected the negative cable and left it in the boat the last few winters. Throwing it on the charger in spring while you're opening it back up should be enough.

Yep, my charger does float. I usually don't keep it on all the time. Usually the beginning of each month..at least that's what I did with the vette battery.

Hey fellas, couple questions. 1. Can someone explain in detail the procedure to drain the trans coolers, where is it in relation to the tranny, whats it look like, do I have one? 2. Where is the block drain plug for the starboard side. I clearly have one on the port side, but cannot find one on the starboard. 96' Ski with 351 carbed and 1:23 tranny.

Thanks

TRBenj wrote: -Put those dryer sheets EVERYWHERE. I go through half a box per boat.

I did this a few years go. The mice used them to make a neat little nest... I'm back to adding moth balls again.

levinmark wrote: Hey fellas, couple questions. 1. Can someone explain in detail the procedure to drain the trans coolers, where is it in relation to the tranny, whats it look like, do I have one? 2. Where is the block drain plug for the starboard side. I clearly have one on the port side, but cannot find one on the starboard. 96' Ski with 351 carbed and 1:23 tranny. Thanks

Check your manual! There aren't too many things hanging off the transmission, I'm sure you'll find it.

One of TRBenj's winterizing threads also has pictures of everything.

BuffaloBFN wrote:

Now that is some funny stuff!

kvand347 wrote: BuffaloBFN wrote: Now that is some funny stuff!

Wish I had a video of Gordie's face (he's 10) when he saw this pic. He said what is that thing?! I told him to look very closely and it took a minute but he figured it out. We both got a good laugh out of it. My lab lives to keep the squirrels out of the yard! He hates them more than I do.

Glad yall enjoyed that pic. It's from an Army bud of mine. I wish I could post more of their humor as they truely take no prisoners!

With all sincerity, God Bless our men and women in uniform.