Winterizing with No Antifreeze -- Drain Only

Oh snap Paul!!! We had a light dusting today but nothing to take pictures of. Enough to make me go start the truck while I took a shower ha.

I lol'd

We used to suck up (no drain)
Then drained and poured
Now I just drain

Anyone who has seen Mike's things knows his level of maintenance is second to none. Can't go wrong following his practices.

I felt the need to chime in on this. I'm new to Correct Crafts, but not to boating. I have a boat rental, storage and winterizing business in Wisconsin(Green Lake actually, so hopefully I'll meet some of you this summer).
I have worked at marinas that run the boats in tanks until the t-stat opens, then run it some more. Then test with refractometer. Then spend a bunch of time draining the tank because it becomes diluted after about 50 boats. It takes a long time to get these boats up to temp long enough to circulate the antifreeze. After settling the boats would then be retested with a refractometer, and some would then head back to the tank. It was so tedious that I gave up on the idea.
I learned from some great mechanics that most of this was unnecessary. I drain block plugs(probe them), manifolds, raw water pump hoses, and the J hose.       Then hook the bottom of J hose back up and undo the top. Pour RV/Marine antifreeze in there until pink comes out of the block drains. Manifolds are self draining, just make sure that the boat is bow up if they drain to the rear, and vice versa. I do about 50 boats per year, and have been doing it for 10 years with no problems. Also, I am a certified Mercruiser technician, and most Mercruiser owners manuals will tell you to simply drain.
The bottom line is you can't freeze what isn't there. I wouldn't completely fill an engine with -50 antifreeze, at least not in my area. I use it to displace the small amount of water left in the block. With just a little antifreeze it may reach its slush point and expand, but it will have plenty of room to expand without causing damage. The average v8 will take maybe a half gallon. I've heard of engines freezing that were filled with -50 during a very cold winter years ago.

The antifreeze we use is diluteable. If you use RV-50 or the -100 stuff it wont get you anywhere. We had a supplier issue on the -200 stuff and it took 3 to 4 times more of the 100 to get the mixture to -50 coming from the exhaust. Generally after the process has started and the pit is mixed up it only takes 1-1.5 gallons per boat.

I am with you. If nothing is inside there is nothing to freeze. Nuf said.

Did mine today.

I was thinking you had a new way to get the water out?

Let's see if this works

First off they are not freeze plugs they are casting plugs used to plug the holes from the casting process. They just happen to pop out when you freeze your block real good.
The chances are very good that you have internal damage to the block. I would start by draining the oil and check for water. Not sure water will show up since most was drained.
So without getting into leak down tests and the likes I guess the easiest way would be to refill the oil and start it up check the oil right away if no sign of water bring it up to temp then check oil again. Oh yea keep your fingers crossed through out the process.

A lot of times it won't show up on the dip stick because first off the blocks not full second the water will be at the bottom of the oil pan.
The cracks won't be on the outside they will be on the inside between the cylinders where the water jacket is. They start in the water jacket and spread to the head bolt hole and the cylinder. That's why sometimes they don't show until the motor is at temp and the crack into the cylinder spreads.
Good luck.

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it. So I guess I didn't miss a drain, not that it matters. I am going to drink a beer or two. The thought of messing something this simple up and ending up with such potentially catastrophic results is super disappointing. Thank you.

For what it may be worth:

When we first looked at our Southwind, we hooked up a fake-a-lake and fired it up for a minute. Fake-a-lakes are a bit dubious, but sounded good and so bought it. Dragged it to our lake, submerged the trailer, fired it up and discovered a freeze plug had popped and was gushing water. Replaced freeze plug (changed oil of course) and have had no evidence of water in oil, and has since run just great for over three years.

We live in GA and bought it in SC, but it started life in Indiana.
Granted, not as harsh as where you may be, but it still freezes here in Dixie...

So, not always necessarily a catastrophe. Or maybe I'm just lucky...

Also no mention of your year or model, but mine is having it's 40th birthday this year...takes a licking and keeps on ticking

74Wind wrote: mine is having it's 40th birthday this year...takes a licking and keeps on ticking

Mine is 26yrs young this month..... Of course it's still ticking...It's a Correct Craft!

dpkumph wrote: I am in New Hampshire. it was a very cold winter here, getting to zero several times. Nothing like those folks who live in Wisconsin experience. Doug

Doug,
What part of Wisconsin are you talking about? You only got down to zero!?? How about -25 New years day 2014. Very common. I remember -35 (NO WIND CHILL) back in my younger years. You guys in NH must be smoking something to cloud your minds! BTW at zero, in northern Wisconsin, you will still see people in shorts!

Let us know what you find.

Glad to hear it, Doug! :)