looking for the best way to winterize..........and of course the simplist...is it mandatory that i drain fresh water from engine? i was told to stick the intake hose in the antifreeze bottle start my motor and wait till i see the antifreeze drain from the thru-hull..is this true? the owners manual is not very clear. do i have to stabilize the fuel?
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Winterize!
If you are in an area where temperatures go below freezing it is very important to properly winterize your engine. If you have a salt water cooling system the process is a bit different than for a fresh water cooled 2GMF. The objective of the exerise is to remove any water from the engine and other lines which would be subject to freezing. This includes the water seperator, head, water tank and holding tank. Change your fuel filter, oil and oil filter as well. Visit the archives where you will find several excellent articles on the whole process. Good luck.
If you are in an area where temperatures go below freezing it is very important to properly winterize your engine. If you have a salt water cooling system the process is a bit different than for a fresh water cooled 2GMF. The objective of the exerise is to remove any water from the engine and other lines which would be subject to freezing. This includes the water seperator, head, water tank and holding tank. Change your fuel filter, oil and oil filter as well. Visit the archives where you will find several excellent articles on the whole process. Good luck.
Winterize fresh water and sanitation systems too
Instructions for Winterizing Plumbing: FRESH WATER SYSTEM 1. Drain the water tanks completely. 2. Drain water heater - remove both the inlet and outlet hoses to be sure to get all the water out. 3. Connect water heater inlet and outlet hoses together. 4. Add non-toxic anitfreeze ("the pink stuff") and pump that through the system until all outlets--hot and cold in the galley, head, shower, and any deck wash run only antifreeze. Leave all the faucets open to make sure there is no pressure on the system. SANITATION SYSTEM 1. Pump holding tank out, then rinse thoroughly by completely filling with fresh water and 1 gallon of white vinegar twice. 2. Close inlet through-hull, disconnect inlet hose and stick it in a gallon of non-toxic ("the pink stuff") antifreeze. Pump the whole gallon through the system into the holding tank. Do not reconnect head intake hose to the through-hull. 3. Pump the head 50 times to get as much fluid out of the system as possible. 4. After the boat comes out of the water, open all the sea cocks to drain any trapped water.
Instructions for Winterizing Plumbing: FRESH WATER SYSTEM 1. Drain the water tanks completely. 2. Drain water heater - remove both the inlet and outlet hoses to be sure to get all the water out. 3. Connect water heater inlet and outlet hoses together. 4. Add non-toxic anitfreeze ("the pink stuff") and pump that through the system until all outlets--hot and cold in the galley, head, shower, and any deck wash run only antifreeze. Leave all the faucets open to make sure there is no pressure on the system. SANITATION SYSTEM 1. Pump holding tank out, then rinse thoroughly by completely filling with fresh water and 1 gallon of white vinegar twice. 2. Close inlet through-hull, disconnect inlet hose and stick it in a gallon of non-toxic ("the pink stuff") antifreeze. Pump the whole gallon through the system into the holding tank. Do not reconnect head intake hose to the through-hull. 3. Pump the head 50 times to get as much fluid out of the system as possible. 4. After the boat comes out of the water, open all the sea cocks to drain any trapped water.
Empty Raw Water Water Strainer
Try BoatUS web site under Seaworthy: http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/winter/default.asp The raw water strainer, according to BoatUS, is a common area of failure. When the boat is put back into the water it woudld be a good idea to be inside and look everywhere in the bilge before the slings are removed. Burp the dripless shaft seal before starting up.
Try BoatUS web site under Seaworthy: http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/winter/default.asp The raw water strainer, according to BoatUS, is a common area of failure. When the boat is put back into the water it woudld be a good idea to be inside and look everywhere in the bilge before the slings are removed. Burp the dripless shaft seal before starting up.
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