Two 3gm Engine Winterizing Questions

[Craig]

We have an 87 34ft hunter. Two questions:Our primary fuel filter is the original unit steel case with a canister filter. On the bottom of the filter case is a plug. Is this to totally drain the primary filter or just the water. It doesnt look to me like this type filter has a separator system, but then again what do i know. Anyway I removed the plug and diesel kept coming so I closed it. Whats up?Question 2. I want to change the antifreeze as it looks old. I see the drain plug just aft and above the dipstick. There is also a small plastic hose just above the plug that looks like a drain hose. I loosened the plug until barely a thread was left and the tube was not draining. A couple of drops started to drip from the plug but I didnt want to remove it and make a big mess. How do you drain the fluid, thru the hose or out the plug hole? And approx. how much will come out? Your answers for these two questions are greatly appreciated. Thanks. Craig

 

[Ed]

34 anti freeze

Just drained my 3GMF. The upper plug drains the heat exchanger section - If you open the lower one first the heat exchanger section drains along with the engine so you wo'nt get much from the upper one. there is another drain on the other side of the engine behind the alternator, You will get about a gallon out of the engine. If you want to COMPLETELY drain the antifreeze you may want to disconnect the hoses at the water heater and drain the hoses and the coil in the heater. If you do the last item, it is recommended that you bleed any air out at the tank so that there is no air block. I got very little out, so it did'nt apear to be a problem in my case.

 

[Pete]

fuel filter question

part of winterizing the engine should include changing both fuel filters, sounds like you just drained some of the filter. winter lay up is a good time to change so that spring is a easy start up. be sure to treat your fuel with a biocide for alge and a fuel presertive type product. Note sure but you may have let too much air in the system when you drained the filter housing that you will probely need to refill the filter and blead the system of any traped air.the plug is just a drain for the filter housing, you are correct that it is not a water seperator. change both filters, reblead the system and have a good winter hope this helps Pete

 

[Craig]

To Ed

You have been thru this so I wont reinvent the wheel. The lower drain plug, is that the one I am referring to that is located just above the oil dip stick and alittle aft? Secondly if this is it, does the antifreeze drain out the plug or the hose attached just above the plug. And if it drains out the plug hole, how do you contain the flow? Thanks.