Winterizing
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15508
Printed Date: November-18-2024 at 12:33am
Topic: Winterizing
Posted By: snipe
Subject: Winterizing
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 12:36pm
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Have any of you ever used a FLUSH-PRO to winterize a PCM351 Ford? It "seems" that it would make life so much easier. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=4810" rel="nofollow - 80 Ski Nautique |
Replies:
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 12:47pm
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Check out the info in http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13256 - this thread for water hook up options.
As far as winterizing goes, you should ALWAYS drain the block. I prefer the pour in method per the manual for the antifreeze. ------------- |
Posted By: snipe
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 1:05pm
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Thanks.....I'll go that route too.
By the way, how do we get the picture into our signature? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=4810" rel="nofollow - 80 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 1:20pm
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You gotta have a boat in the diaries... and then add the diary ID # to your forums profile. ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 2:32pm
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Egon,
Don't use the pump through method!! Too many chances of it not working. You must be spending too much time over on PN or the 2001 site!!! As Tim mentioned, the key is to drain first and then the pour in is simple via the hose. BTW, antifreeze is optional. It's simply a added insurance for any water that may still be in the block. It's also realatively new in the past 20 years. When I was at Watercraft back in the late 60's early 70's, we didn't even know about it!! Just draining was the norm and for some it still is. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: hotboat
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 2:53pm
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As far as getting the picture up, it took me a while to find my diary id #. I found it by going to my diary and clicking modify this post, then it popped up at the top. Maybe its somewhere else but thats how I found it? ------------- Brian |
Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 3:54pm
Pete, What isn't going to work? I drain first, and know that the pour in method is recommended, but I do not see the pump in method failing. It is far easier for me to do this than to try and get at my thermostat hose in a bacerds facing big block (BBB?) ------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |
8122pbrainard wrote:Posted By: behindpropeller
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 4:02pm
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I have always pumped it in just don't use diluted antifreeze. I might make a fitting an pump it directly into the block this year.
Tim ------------- |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 4:04pm
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Pumping it in seems like more trouble than its worth- at least for a DD application... but as long as you DRAIN FIRST, the method should be just fine. ------------- |
Posted By: behindpropeller
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 4:28pm
So you just pull the top off of your tstat? What about the circ pump? Are there places where water without antifreeze can end up? ------------- |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 5:09pm
Pouring through the RWP outlet hose into the t-stat housing will go under the t-stat and to the circ pump. After that backs up the rest will flow under the t-stat, through the intake and fill the block. Once the engine is full it will backup over the t-stat (still closed) and you can blow any excess A/F left in the hose through the exhaust manifolds. 
 ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 5:19pm
I totally agree with Tim. I feel most people who get in trouble with the pump through method don't drain first. They may at first but then hear about someone who just pumps and they give it a try. By the time you goof around with the fittings and attaching a means of delivering the antifreeze, I'll be done in have the time by just pulling a hose off and using a funnel. The other thing is you use way more antifreze than is needed by pumping. I know Tim uses a couple of gallons but I've only used about 1/2 gallon on each engine through the years. (about a quart on the Atom's 4 cylinder!)
Tim, The Tstat doesn't need to come off. The hose from the RWP to the Tstat is where you want to pour the antifreeze. The antifreeze will seek it's our level via the circ pump port to the block. It will find the low spots where water may be trapped. The block drains really do get the water out. With a angled engine, and the starbord side being forward on block, just lower your trailer jack stand or if it's hanging raise the aft end higher. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: behindpropeller
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 5:34pm
I have always used 2 5 gallon buckets. Hose comes off of the RWP and I stick a 5' piece of hose onto it. 5' hose sucks clean water out of the bucket until it is warm. Drain the block. Restart engine with hose in the antifreeze and fog it while it is sucking the antifreeze into the block. The only catch is the tstat has to be open. Sometimes it is a pain...Ill probably do it Pete's way this winter though. Tim ------------- |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 5:43pm
The t-stat does not need to be open. Look at my pictures, the block will fill (if drained) irregardlessly with the suck method. ------------- |
Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 6:26pm
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I think as long as you know what you are doing, either way works.
I have only started to drain first the last couple years. I cannot believe I didn't before. However, I was using auto antifreeze and only diluting about 10-20%. By the time it came out after mixing with water, it would still test good to +/- -50* F. It came out weak once and I re-did it. It gets as cold here as anywhere in the US and I never had a problem. Just a couple sleepless -40* nights a few years ago. I now drain, and use RV AF good to -50*. I can see how the pour method would work easier on a direct drive, especially with a thermostat on top of the intake. My 502 stat is way in the back and would be a much bigger pain in the ass than the bucket method. ------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 7:27pm
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when the cold weather dips into the teens I simply go out and drain the blocks i didnt get to that day, we'll go by statistics, i would say close to a hundred, havnt popped one yet. the anti freeze is a bonus i guess but never hits the top of the engine and you do see corrosion up there from time to time. to much worrying. at the minimum if you drain the block and manifolds you are safe ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: emccallum
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 7:57pm
| One thing I dont like about the suction method is people (dealers) leave antifreeze in the strainer and it discolors the clear plastic. I have always followed the instructions and drained the water. I usually fill the manifolds with antifreeze to keep them from rusting.....probably not needed. |
Posted By: snipe
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 8:28pm
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emccallum,
How do you fill them ? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=4810" rel="nofollow - 80 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: emccallum
Date Posted: October-06-2009 at 10:22pm
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I just remove the hoses at the thermostat and pour antifreeze into them with a funnel.I usually end up removing the thermostat housing and pouring any left over down it. I also remove the thermosta and spray it down with wd40 it gets rusty in there. New thernostat, belts, impeller every two years
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Posted By: lonestar
Date Posted: October-08-2009 at 12:04am
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Question about the boat angle on the trailer . Should I be raising and lowering the jack with the block drains open to make sure all water is out ? I have an 88 351 and a 98 with a GT40 I drained everything but didnt rock it up and down, should I be worried ? On both I have pumped 5 gals antifreeze in till it ran out the exhaust.
------------- lonestar |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: October-08-2009 at 9:06am
Chris, When draining the block I'll get maybe a extra cup of water out by lowering the bow of the boat. You sure do use more antifreeze. 5 gallons!!!
------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: snipe
Date Posted: October-08-2009 at 9:09am
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When I lowered the the boat, only a little came out the front. So I sent some AF into that drain after the boat was at the normal angle again. It only took a little there just in case there was some water trapped at the very bottom. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=4810" rel="nofollow - 80 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: lonestar
Date Posted: October-09-2009 at 12:14am
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Pete: Ya I had a hunch 5 gals was a bit much but no clue as to how much the engines actualy holds so I just keep pumpin it in . ------------- lonestar |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: October-09-2009 at 10:28am
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if you do pump it, any more than 2 gallons is waisting the AF, ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: harddock
Date Posted: October-09-2009 at 10:35am
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If the boat is at the right angle the exhaust will hold a lot of anti freeze before it comes out. Maybe that's how they get 5 gals in there. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4487" rel="nofollow - 1998 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: hotboat
Date Posted: October-09-2009 at 11:28am
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Does that include the heater core and hot water tank for the shower or is that another 5 gal? ------------- Brian |
Posted By: Peter Gullen
Date Posted: October-09-2009 at 12:55pm
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I like snipes idea of squirting anti freeze in the starboard drain hole, i leave my boat on the lake till christmas, and just drain the water after each time i use it, but obviously cant raise or lower the front enough to get the last of the water out. I havent had any problems with freezing yet- this will be winter no. 6, but i think this winter i will add a squirt of AF for added insurance. ------------- 93 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: October-09-2009 at 1:48pm
5 is quite a bit- I can get about 3 gallons in mine, though I do have some heater lines running up to the bow that may get filled. I usually keep pouring in until I hear the A/F bubble up past the riser on my '90. My Skier doesnt take much less- I pour that in through the large circ pump hose. ------------- |
Posted By: lonestar
Date Posted: October-10-2009 at 12:04am
Your right on that. ------------- lonestar |