Engine storage

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jan 16, 2009
1
30 30 Lake Deffenbaker
Bought a 1978 Hunter 30 this spring. What do I have to do to the diesel
engine and tank for the winter storage? I live in Western Canada with winter temperatures in the - 30 range.
 
Jun 4, 2004
834
Hunter 340 Forked River, NJ
Engine winter protection

I would ask some of the other boaters in the area for some local advice for your situation.
If your engine is raw water cooled, I would make sure that it was warmed before flushing with lots of -100 antifreeze. After flushing, I would remove the thermostat and check to make sure that the heat exchanger has been protected. You might also open and check the engine block drain valves to make sure you have anitfreeze throughout the engine.
If the engine is fresh water cooled, make sure that your permanent antifreeze is giving good protection from the temps.
Down here in NJ, we keep our diesel tanks full over the winter and use fuel stabilizer.
 
Feb 17, 2004
268
Hunter 30_74-83 Lower Salford, PA / Tolchester,MD marina
you did not say if you are on the hard yet- I would think so as it is December.

First, since you have a raw water cooled engine- run blue 100 degree through the engine. Take off the hose next to raw water filter and clamp funnel. hold up and dump two gallons while engine runs. When you are near the end of second gallon fog engine at air intake. This will take two people, as you need to pull the stop lever to shut off engine.

Top-off fuel tank but add a bioside and fuel stabilizer first. You have about a ten-eleven gallon tank, so this does not take much more than one onze of each. Do not overfill, as when the temp warms up in the spring, the diesel will come out your overflow air vent on the stern and mark your hull with a large stain plus the discharge on the ground. This is a no-no

Change engine oil- leave filter alone- I change these in the spring.
Loosen belts and take the top off your raw water filter
change oil sorb pad to new one.

pump water out of water tank and run pink 50' through hot and cold system until it come out the end at the head sink. takes about 8 gallons.

Pump out the head and treat with pink but due to your temperture might want to consider the blue 100' but is 3x the price.

open and close all sea valves- some put wood plugs in the outside to keep insects out

I pull my batteries and take them home, check water level and put on trickle charger.

Go to the owner modification tab on this site, go to 30' 74-84 and look at the winter cover- you are going to need one.

I do not adjust the standing rigging, as I now believe that the aluminum mast shrinks more that the stainless steel rigging wire.

If you have not done anything yet, you better get moving as it will not get any warmer.

goog luck

Ian
s/v Meant to Be
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.