Winterizing M25 engine

[ArkadiyS]

I am in the process of winterizing our M25 engine (on Cat 30) and have a hell of a time getting the water intake hose off of the thru-hull, and then positioning the 1gal jugs of the antifreeze in the engine compartment space so that the hose can reach it, and all of this juggling, while trying not to spill the antifreeze everywhere. It does end-up in the bilge where I do want it, but still thinking that there HAS TO BE AN EASIER WAY. I was about to put on a temp extension for that hose just for this purpose, and before doing it, wanted to get some ideas. Thanks!

 

[Capt jgw]

I have a separate hose that I attach to the raw water pump. Still hard to get off, but there's better access. You could try pouring hot water on it to soften it up.

 

[Damifudo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/131642715660?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

get one of these.

 

[DaveJ]

I use a hose that I insert into the thru hull from under the boat, seal it with duct seal (like silly putty) and insert the hose into the antifreeze jug. Downside is it takes 2 people. Alternative is pour antifreeze into your strainer as engine is running.

 

[Damifudo]

Can you install a tee that you cap off normally and a valve on the antifreeze tank that you can open when connected to the tee and shut of the thru the haul so it flows from the antifreeze bucket?

 

[njlarry]

I have a separate hose that I attach to the raw water pump. Still hard to get off, but there's better access. You could try pouring hot water on it to soften it up.

This approach has always worked for me. Of course you must remember to drain the strainer separately.

 

[Stu Jackson]

When I put any hose on that I intend to remove, a put some Lanocote on the inside of the hose, stick it on the barb and tighten the hose clamp(s). Almost always easier to remove even years later.

 

[ArkadiyS]

We are keeping the boat in the water this winter, so going from the outside is not an option. I am thinking of connecting a separate/longer hose to the one from the thruhull through a barb connector. And will look into Lanocote..never hear of it before, thanks!

 

[chrisings]

I second the hose removal tool, it is a must have in my boat tool bag. I take an empty gallon antifreeze bottle, cut the top off and then stuff it into place between the engine and the thru hull. It's a tight fit on my boat so the cut jug can't really move. The hose goes in the jug and I then pour antifreeze into that jug as needed as the engine runs. You need to be fairly careful while pouring but I've yet to have a spill. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[dziedzicmj]

How about a big bucket in the cockpit and a hose (about 2-3 m (8-10 ft)) with a barb that can go into the hose from the through-hull? You have to remove the hose off the through-hull, anyway.

Don't skimp on antifreeze; you would need 15-20 l (3-5 gal) to make sure that all water was pushed out (rather than just diluted).

 

[Tally Ho]

I use a hose that I insert into the thru hull from under the boat, seal it with duct seal (like silly putty) and insert the hose into the antifreeze jug. Downside is it takes 2 people. Alternative is pour antifreeze into your strainer as engine is running.

I tried pouring the antifreeze into my Groco strainer this year. Worked OK, but the output from the exhaust was a bit foamy. Did the same thing on my head intake.

Greg

 

[Siamese]

I don't have anything to add with regard to getting the hose off the inlet seacock, but that's been addressed pretty well.

To make the process easier on my Catalina 28, I have a bucket (kitty litter bucket) with a 90 degree barb fitting in the bottom at the edge of the bucket. I just drilled a hole in the bottom of the bucket about the size of the barb, stuck in the barb, and did a little sealing with 3m 4200. Then, I attach about a 3 foot hose to the bucket and connect the other end of the hose to the inlet hose with a barb/barb connection. I set the bucket down where it will be stable, and then put a couple gallons of antifreeze in it. Then I go up on deck and start the engine.

I used to just stuff a hose into a gallon of antifreeze, but there always seemed to be a lag between the time I started at the engine and the pump started moving the antifreeze. I don't like the idea of the impeller running dry while I try to get the vacuum started.

The bucket method guarantees the antifreeze will get picked up by the inlet hose quickly.

So, my winterization "kit" consists of the bucket (with barb), a 3' length of garden hose, and a barb/barb connector.
Easy and reliable.

Someone already mentioned about using plenty of antifreeze. That's right...at least according to MaineSail. He set me straight. Just watching for pink stuff to flow out the exhaust is NOT good enough. After you see solid pink, keep the engine running and run at least another gallon of antifreeze through the engine. MaineSail says because there's water in muffler and exhaust system, that first pink you're seeing is antifreeze mixed with water, and it takes a lot more antifreeze running through the system to reach a high enough level of antifreeze in the system.

 

[fjwilsonjr]

On my 1987 Catalina 30, I have a tee installed on top of the cooling water intake seacock, between it and the strainer. The sidearm of the tee is connected by hose to a one-way ball valve, the other side of which is attached to about four feet of hose that ordinarily lies in the bilge. To winterize, I first run the engine for a few minutes to warm it up. Then, I stop the engine, close the intake seacock, open the ball valve, put the hose into a jug of antifreeze, start the engine, watch the exhaust, stop the engine when antifreeze comes out the exhaust, close the ball valve, and return the hose to its resting place in the bilge. It takes less than ten minutes

 

[njlarry]

As si points out,don't be cheap with the antifreeze. I use 5 to 6 gallons and then still check it coming out of the exhaust. If no one is around to catch a sample during the last moments you can get a sample from the water lift muffler aftwards.
Maine Sails youtube on engine winterization is excellent.

 

[ArkadiyS]

These are REALLY great ideas!!! I ended-up taking the hose off after the strainer and added another 3' via a barb. So much easier than last time!! I went through 2 gallons and saw purple antifreeze come out of the exhaust. Should I get more bottles? Also, does anyone drain the water muffler for the winter? I did it last year, but was told that it was not necessarily, since the exhaust was already spitting out purple?

 

[njlarry]

Glad you found the easy way to pump antifreeze in. Two gallons may not be enough. What is the cooling capacity of your engine, one to two gallons, plus the heat exchanger, muffler and all hoses. Four to five might be enough. The antifreeze can't be diluted by any residual water. The winter can be long and cold so test it to be sure. If the engine is protected so is the water lift muffler. Please read all the info on Maine Sails blog. This spring we want to see you sailing not shopping for a new engine.