First Winter With Inboard Diesel/Need Help

[Robert Murphy]

This is my first winter with the Volvo diesel, I sail all winter here and want to know what I should do to protect the engine. I keep the boat in the water full time.ThanksRobert

 

[Randy]

Winterize

The process is really fairly easy, I1.)Top off fuel and add fuel saver. 2.)Change the oil and oil filter.3.)Change the fuel filter.4.)Make sure the through hull to the raw water intake for the engine is closed, remove the hose, dump a gallon on "pink stuff" in a bucket, get someone to start the engine while I hold the hose in the bucket and suck up "pink stuff" until the water exhaust is pink. (It takes about a gallon for my boat.) Then hook the hose back up to the through hull.5.) Its also a good time to check belts for wear.I'm sure others will have additional to do's, however, that the basics.Randy

 

[Waldo Emerson]

Winterizing in GA

One to three is a good idea but the last idea should be modified.I have a T valve installed between the engineand the intake valve. After sailing in the winter I fill a gallon with 50% antifreeze and water shut off the intake valve and turn the T valve to allow the engine to pull the antifreeze mixture into the engine heat exchanger. Then shut off the T vlave when the mixture is about an inch from the bottom of the pail.