Winterization reassurance
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=20085
Printed Date: November-20-2024 at 8:44am
Topic: Winterization reassurance
Posted By: levinmark
Subject: Winterization reassurance
Date Posted: November-30-2010 at 11:34pm
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I have a 96' ski nautique with LH 351 ford that is carbed. Just want to get some feedback from you guys to put my mind at ease with the cold temps on the way here in Illinois. I did some research and I winterized myself, could anyone let me know if I should do anything else? Here is what I did. I ran engine for 10 minutes on fake a lake and proceeded to drain the manifolds and block from the petcocks, letting out any dirty water and debris, cleaned out strainer. I changed engine oil, tranny oil. I then sucked a total of 8 gallons of RV antifreeze up the fake a lake hose. I know 8 gallons may be an excessive amount, but I wanted to make sure that pure antifreeze was exiting out the exhaust. Right before the last amount of antifreeze was sucked up, I fogged the carb and shut the engine off when it began to bog down. I then removed the hose connecting the strainer and emptied, I also removed the hose at the bottom of the water pump, draining the pump and hose. Should I remove any more hoses to drain? I left the manifolds and block alone, filled with antifreeze. Should I go drain them, or is it O.K. to leave them full over the winter. I pulled the battery, and cleaned boat inside and out. I'm assuming everything I have done is O.K. If there are any more procedures I should do, I would appreciate the help.
Thanks, Mark ------------- levin |
Replies:
Posted By: tnplicky
Date Posted: November-30-2010 at 11:59pm
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my 10 cents, I think you are good to go with RV antifreeze in the engine, there is no need to drain, escpecially since you drained the water out first before sucking in the pink stuff most is good down to -50F
there are lots of other posts on winterization and different methods of draining and filling techniques with antifreeze some folks choose to remove the spark plugs and fog the cylinders as well I have never done it, but some will also blow any water out of the speedos I usually regrease the trailer bearings at this time as well |
Posted By: levinmark
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 1:47am
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Thanks Tim,
Where about do you usually boat at around Morton? We are in Pontiac, about an hour from you. ------------- levin |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 8:56am
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Levin,
Sounds like it will be good for the next few months. Just in time too as it's snowing this morning!! Next year you may what to use the method outlined in the manual (see the reference section) which is drain and pour. It will save you a few gallons of antifreeze! ------------- /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: levinmark
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 10:15am
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Thanks, I feel a little more at ease now. I did read where people have drained and then filled the block by pouring in at the thermostat. Being my first time winterizing, I wanted to be 100% sure that the entire system was flushed and filled with antifreeze, therefore, 8 gallons definetly did the job. I'm new to the game, so it's a learning process and I obviously didnt want to take any chances with this little project. I appreciate the input!
------------- levin |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 2:07pm
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Just out of curiosity sake and because the site is kinda slow these days do you guys recover the antifreeze in the spring? Is there even a way to do it?
It just doesn't get that cold down here in Hotlanta long enough to truly winterize the boat.Mine's in the garage but I will still drain the water out of everything if its gonna be below freezing for days.But until then I just leave it alone. ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: Bri892001
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 3:01pm
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Probably wouldn't hurt to try and get the water out of the speedometer lines if the boat isn't shrink wrapped yet.
If you lift the dash, using the four thumb screws, then you see where the rubber tubes connect to the back of the speedos. You can undo them there. Then, I just used a bike bump with a plastic cone shaped inflatable attachment on it and blew some air in. One side I couldn't get off from the speedo to do the bike pump thing, so I just used my mouth to suck out the water from the transom side. It's a little black plastic stem looking thing that dips into the water. There are two. I was able to get a mouthful of water from the side that I didn't use the bike pump on. I'll see in the spring if both speedos still work. Honestly, sucking it out was waaay easier than the other way. Although you may be setting yourself up for some jokes if anyone sees you do it 
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Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 3:19pm
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you are good to go. Only thing I would do different is don't waste your time pulling the battery.
I used to capture the green stuff, but don't bother with the RV. The FDA considers it GRAS. Generally Recognized As Safe. ------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 3:23pm
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You are good and can save 5 gallons if you just pour it in the block.
When I used A/F I'd drain the block into the bilge and recover it, you can get a good 2/3s to 3/4 of it back. ------------- |
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 7:54pm
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I use the low tox antifreeze so my inner hippy is happy. ------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 8:58pm
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Keegan, If your inner hippie means the low tox green stuff, he may be indulging in a little extra hippie recreation. I think he is kidding himself. Green is bad stuff, regardless. It just takes a little more to kill you or your dog. ------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |
Posted By: levinmark
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 9:00pm
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That is awesome fellas, I feel very relieved not to worry over the winter months. Like I said, I'm new to the family, just purchasing my first Nautique in September, and found this website. I feel very honored to be associated with such a great group of people. It's only December and I cant wait till spring to get out on the water. Absolutely love it! Thanks again. ------------- levin |
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: December-01-2010 at 9:52pm
Mike what's bad about it? I have not really looked into it, just thought it would be a good idea since some of it will find it's way into the water table. ------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
WakeSlayer wrote:Posted By: horkn
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 2:17am
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Well, the low/ non toxic pink stuff is not glycol based like the normal green or other color toxic AF is. As such, it is not toxic, because it has no glycol. Glycol is what shuts the liver down if ingested.
I still wouldn't let any animals drink it though, and I still would not let it just go into the lake when you start it up in spring. Starting the boat in spring in the driveway or on land will help to keep the AF out of the lake. Even better, you could capture and recycle it for next fall if you want. ------------- 78 martinique- refloored, reinforced, stringers re glassed, re engineered interior GT40P heads Edelbrock Performer intake acme 4 blade http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/horkn/fish/nautique.jpg |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 9:28am
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plus its 3.99 per gallon compared to 9.99 ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 10:23am
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I recover this stuff using the drain-to-bilge-with-bucket-under-drain technique every year. It's 15.00/gallon so I don't let it go to waste.
http://www.sierraantifreeze.com/ - http://www.sierraantifreeze.com/ ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 11:41am
Wow, I'm impressed guys. ALLOT of you know a thing or two about these boats and are Eccofriendly too!   ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: MartyMabe
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 11:47am
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Ecofriendly huh Tim--
And here we were on the Monkey Run- a Natural Spring Fed 72'F clear water beautiful River--and the guys go PP over the side of the boat ------------- 66 Skylark http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5041" rel="nofollow - 93 SN If you're not living in NC, you're just camping out! |
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 12:28pm
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Maybe I was the sucker that went for the "environmentally friendly" marketing but it seemed like a good idea at the time. As long as nothing freezes I can live with that.
Marty was that a case of, if you can't beat em join em. I seem to remember something about poo flinging monkeys. ------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 12:56pm
Wrong, they are both glycol. ------------- |
Posted By: Bri892001
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 1:08pm
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Antifreeze can also be used to add that little extra "something" to the flavor of wine. I refer to this Simpsons episode:
http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon_video/4728-Crepes_Of_Wrath.html - Simpsons Crepes of Wrath |
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 5:20pm
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I got curious and found this-
" As little as half a teaspoon of spilled antifreeze can kill an average-sized cat, and eight ounces can kill a 75-pound dog. Unless you catch it early, the damage to pets' kidneys can be irreversible. Spilled or leaked antifreeze also washes into rivers and lakes, harming fish and other wildlife. New and safer formulations of antifreeze are now available to consumers. These formulas replace ethylene glycol with propylene glycol. Although not entirely safe, an animal would have to ingest three times as much propylene glycol before it proved fatal. Propylene glycol is also recyclable and biodegradable, making it a safer and heatlhier choice. In terms of automotive performance, propylene glycol is almost identical to ethylene glycol. Your car will not notice the difference. Propylene glycol is sold under the brand names Sierra, Prestone Low Tox and Texaco PG. There may be others as well. It's a little more expensive than regular coolant." http://eartheasy.com/article_antifreeze_low_tox.htm - Full Article ------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 5:28pm
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Tom is correct that most of the real cheap RV is not glycol based. It's ethyl alcohol!! If you go with the -100 stuff then you bought the real good version! ------------- /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: skutsch
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 5:43pm
So I just replaced the Waterpump on my Suburban and in the process learned it uses "Dex-Cool" which is different then the green and the pink stuff (it's orange, formulated for long term applications, 5 year 150k mi). I can't find any good information on what it is made of, anyone know? ------------- Our http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4669" rel="nofollow - 98 Sport Nautique My Dad's 63 Ski N |
Posted By: Air206
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 5:58pm
Safer Propylene glycol has been available for over 20 years but because of the GM Dex-Cool and other OEM recommendations, it has never caught on. For marine use, there is rarely a good reason to use Ethylene Glycol over Propylene Glycol. The toxicity of "the regular Green Stuff" is outrageous to marine life, pets, kids, birds......... everyone except insects. Use alternatives WHENEVER possible! Steve (practicing veterinarian and tired of seeing "Anti-Freeze Poisoning" kill domestic animals, birds and fish)........... BTW: "catch it early" doesn't quite cut it. If there are any, even early clinical signs of poisoning, the animal will die from kidney failure. They only have a chance if the antidote is administered as soon as the green stuff is ingested. Any signs, and that is it!  ------------- https://tinyurl.com/y6t5e3bu" rel="nofollow - 04 Air206 http://tinyurl.com/9urzgls" rel="nofollow - 91 Barefoot 78 SkiTiq |
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: December-02-2010 at 6:06pm
Thanks Steve my inner hippie knew he was doing the right thing by spending the extra $2. ------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
Posted By: horkn
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 2:59am
Propyl is base in the eco friendly RV AF, not glycol HW. And yes, it is the kidneys and not the liver that is affected by the glycol, not the liver as I stated previously. In any effect, the glycol is highly toxic and will kill very quickly. ------------- 78 martinique- refloored, reinforced, stringers re glassed, re engineered interior GT40P heads Edelbrock Performer intake acme 4 blade http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/horkn/fish/nautique.jpg |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 8:26am
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skutsch, I thought it was silicone based, it eats at gaskets, the thing about antifreeze is that it never loses its ability to not freeze, it does lose the abilty to lubricate the waterpump...thats why the dex/cool will last 100k, but it does gum up inside the engine, on personal cars with dex, we always switch them out to the green ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 11:24am
Every single type of eco-friendly RV/Marine antifreeze Ive ever used has been propylene glycol. ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 11:44am
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"RV Antifreeze - Not all Antifreezes are Created Equal
RV/Marine non-toxic antifreeze is probably the most misunderstood commodity in our industry today. There are currently three different varieties on the market at three very different prices. Ethanol (alcohol) based: This type of antifreeze is most readily available in hardware stores and most RV shops it sells for approximately $3.00 Canadian a jug. However, this product is also extremely flammable and not to used around any sort of pilot flames or cigarettes. As well, this product has been known to taint certain RV plumbing systems and is only to be used with Quest or Pex plumbing lines. Furthermore, because this product is made from alcohol it works to dry out all the rubber seals readily found in your faucets and toilet. As a result we do not recommend or sell this product. Propylene Glycol based: This product is only available at your local RV shop (and not every RV shop for that matter). It sells for approximately $6.00 Canadian a jug. Like the ethanol antifreeze, this product is non-toxic and safe for all RV plumbing. However, propylene glycol does not have the same fire safety warnings, nor the risk of tainting your RV plumbing system. Furthermore, propylene glycol is a lubricant and will actually work to extend the life of the seals in your faucets and toilets, unlike the ethanol based products. This is the only product we use on our own RVs and the only product we sell in our parts store. Propylene/Ethanol Blend: Again this product is non-toxic and completely safe for RV plumbing systems. It will cost more than $3.00 and less than $6.00 Canadian a jug. This may seem like a good idea, however, it is unknown how much ethanol is required to taint RV plumbing lines and dry out plumbing seals. For that reason we do not recommend this product." ------------- /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: Hollywood
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 1:14pm
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You're going to find propylene glycol or ethanol on the shelves. ------------- |
Posted By: skutsch
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 1:17pm
Thanks Eric! So that probably explains why the water pump failed at 177k mi... I guess I need to learn to treat my cars like I treat my boats. As I figure out how to do more of the stuff myself, it makes maintaining them easier/cheaper. So the plan is to upgrade the suburban next spring, I probably will leave it as is knowing I am getting rid of it. The interesting thing was I had read the horror stories about the buildup in the engine, most pictures I saw showed the inputs to the block (at the water pump) as a mess, but mine were really clean. Going forward, I think changing out to the more enviro freindly/less toxic is a good idea. ------------- Our http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4669" rel="nofollow - 98 Sport Nautique My Dad's 63 Ski N |
Posted By: Air206
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 1:21pm
This made me smile ........... Poly-propylene glycol is a prescription (and OTC) Laxative! So, I guess that will REALLY extend the life of your seals in your toilet.......... wait, maybe not YOUR seal, though! HA! 
------------- https://tinyurl.com/y6t5e3bu" rel="nofollow - 04 Air206 http://tinyurl.com/9urzgls" rel="nofollow - 91 Barefoot 78 SkiTiq |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: December-03-2010 at 1:43pm
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I found a plugged up heater core the first winter I got my Fleetwood. The DexCool probably had a contribution in that. Didn't think twice about flushing and refilling with the green stuff. ------------- |
Posted By: wakeroper
Date Posted: December-04-2010 at 9:39pm
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Gentlemen,
When fogging the engine through the carb how much is enough? As soon as I started spraying the fogger the motor started chocking out so i did that a couple if times, maybe used a quarter of the can. I was told pulling the plugs and spraying there was not necessary using this method. Doesnt get that cold very often here in Texas but the boat will be set up for a few months. |
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: December-04-2010 at 10:10pm
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Per others experience posted on this site some engines will not stall out when fogging. ------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: December-04-2010 at 10:45pm
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If your engine does start to choke out when spraying the fogger, you give it gas, more fogging, more gas untill you see some smoke out the exhaust. ------------- /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 < |