I'm getting ready to haul Bella Luna out for the season so I'm going thru the winterization process and off season maintenance on the engine. I've change the oil and filter because it seems to make sense not to leave dirty, contaminated oil sitting until the spring. Fuel is treated with Hammonds Biobar JF and Startron enzyme fuel treatment. I'll run antifreeze thru the freshwater supply just before we crane her out.
I hear that ethyl glycol is better on the engine parts than propylene-glycol. I'm on the fence in this department. I appreciate your opinions.
This article got me thinking that I have more to do in the off season:
http://www.albinballad.co.uk/how-tos/yanmar-2gm20-engine-winterising-and-service/
I'm thinking that I should inspect the anodes and the exhaust elbow for corrosion. I have only owned the boat for a year so I have little history. If I really want to make this boat trouble free as I get on in age, I'm 61, I probably should replace them now. The author says they remove their impellor every year to reduce "setting". I noticed when I replaced mine last Spring the vanes were collapsed, but they opened back up after it sat a while. The vanes were cracked so I replaced it anyway. I have an upgraded SpeedSeal pump cover so this is a simple process if it makes sense to remove it for the winter.
Thoughts?
Lastly, just for my contribution to the collective; I am ordering replacement media for my H2Out fuel tank vent line filter. It has gone pink so it is doing its job absorbing moisture before getting into the fuel. H2Out has instructions to dry out the media on a stove, but I figure I'll have a enough to refill the unit while I get around to the drying process.
I have plenty of other winterization to do, but I'm limiting this post to the engine. Thanks for your feedback!
I hear that ethyl glycol is better on the engine parts than propylene-glycol. I'm on the fence in this department. I appreciate your opinions.
This article got me thinking that I have more to do in the off season:
http://www.albinballad.co.uk/how-tos/yanmar-2gm20-engine-winterising-and-service/
I'm thinking that I should inspect the anodes and the exhaust elbow for corrosion. I have only owned the boat for a year so I have little history. If I really want to make this boat trouble free as I get on in age, I'm 61, I probably should replace them now. The author says they remove their impellor every year to reduce "setting". I noticed when I replaced mine last Spring the vanes were collapsed, but they opened back up after it sat a while. The vanes were cracked so I replaced it anyway. I have an upgraded SpeedSeal pump cover so this is a simple process if it makes sense to remove it for the winter.
Thoughts?
Lastly, just for my contribution to the collective; I am ordering replacement media for my H2Out fuel tank vent line filter. It has gone pink so it is doing its job absorbing moisture before getting into the fuel. H2Out has instructions to dry out the media on a stove, but I figure I'll have a enough to refill the unit while I get around to the drying process.
I have plenty of other winterization to do, but I'm limiting this post to the engine. Thanks for your feedback!