Failed to Winterize

[Gianni_P]

Hi All, As complete newbie, I failed to winterize my 1988 Catalina 27. It's floating again but I fear that I have done serious harm to the engine and or heat exchanger.
I'd like to replace all the fluids and the one that is vexing me is the Hurth transmission. There seems to be no room to place any type of receptacle underneath. Is the correct process to pump out from the dipstick?
Any advice on returning this vessel to good condition would be appreciated.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Is the correct process to pump out from the dipstick?

Yes. Put what you take out into a clear plastic cup and replace the same amount and check the dipstick. Many of us use syringes connected to flexible tubing, others use basters or small hand pumps (Handy Boys). It's easy to replace the fluid with tubing and a funnel. Checking the dipstick is hard on the eyes, so run the edge over a paper towel to see where the fluid level is. Check the fluid level withOUT screwing in the dipstick.

How cold did it get in your neck of the woods over the winter?

Good luck.

 

[Gianni_P]

Yes. Put what you take out into a clear plastic cup and replace the same amount and check the dipstick. Many of us use syringes connected to flexible tubing, others use basters or small hand pumps (Handy Boys). It's easy to replace the fluid with tubing and a funnel. Checking the dipstick is hard on the eyes, so run the edge over a paper towel to see where the fluid level is. Check the fluid level withOUT screwing in the dipstick.

How cold did it get in your neck of the woods over the winter?

Good luck.

Thanks Stu!

I'm in North Alabama and in January, temperatures stayed below 20 degrees F. for about seven days. The coldest temp was around 11dg F.

 

[shipwreck66]

I don't know what Stu's opinion is on this, but I do know diesels pretty well, and I utilized my Catalina27 throughout the winter. Diesels are cranky in cold weather but if you run them every couple weeks, or in my case every weekend, is there really a need to "winterize". My temp range around Dallas in winter is about the same as northern Alabama.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I must apologize for living where we do! No winterizing here, but have many, many friends who have to do so. If it runs and it don't leak, it ain't broken? Notice the ? mark! Good luck. Sometimes the water temp is above air temp and keeps the engine from freezing. Think about it...

 

[morrisn1]

Our winter here in NW AR was was pretty severe, this year, by our standards, and I just drained the lake water by pushing in regular antifreeze through, checked the closed loop and we were good. Started the second time. Good luck

 

[Bob16841]

I winterize the water system, but run a 60 watt light in the engine compartment rather than winterize it.

 

[morrisn1]

I winterize the water system, but run a 60 watt light in the engine compartment rather than winterize it.

What do you do about the water heater? Our water system still has an odor and we are in the process of running the 3rd tank of fresh water through the lines.