Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
This has been keeping me up at night, so I'm hoping somebody here can
shed some light: I removed the drain plugs from both exhaust manifolds & from each side of the block. Then, I removed all six hoses from the thermostat housing & flushed each with freshwater. When I tried to flush the large hose on the port side (looks like it goes into the water pump), it filled up & nothing came out of any of the drain plugs in the engine. So, I'm assuming that one leads to the water intake in the outdrive, but because the boat is in the water, I couldn't see anything coming out. I replaced all the drain plugs & filled everything with antifreeze (removed the thermostat housing too, and added some directly to the block, just for good measure), but I'm a little concerned about that port-side hose. I pumped all the water out of there I could, and refilled with antifreeze, but I'm worried there's water trapped downstream of that hose that might cause problems. Any input or advice? -- kevin c smith http://centricle.com |
#2
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
On 13 Dec 2005 14:27:28 -0800, "kevin c smith" wrote:
This has been keeping me up at night, so I'm hoping somebody here can shed some light: I removed the drain plugs from both exhaust manifolds & from each side of the block. Then, I removed all six hoses from the thermostat housing & flushed each with freshwater. When I tried to flush the large hose on the port side (looks like it goes into the water pump), it filled up & nothing came out of any of the drain plugs in the engine. So, I'm assuming that one leads to the water intake in the outdrive, but because the boat is in the water, I couldn't see anything coming out. I replaced all the drain plugs & filled everything with antifreeze (removed the thermostat housing too, and added some directly to the block, just for good measure), but I'm a little concerned about that port-side hose. I pumped all the water out of there I could, and refilled with antifreeze, but I'm worried there's water trapped downstream of that hose that might cause problems. Any input or advice? Mine also has drain cocks on the sides of the block below the exhaust manifolds, right above the oil pan. -- John Herring Hope your Christmas is Spectacular! ....and your New Year even Better! |
#3
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
"kevin c smith" wrote in message oups.com... This has been keeping me up at night, so I'm hoping somebody here can shed some light: I removed the drain plugs from both exhaust manifolds & from each side of the block. Then, I removed all six hoses from the thermostat housing & flushed each with freshwater. When I tried to flush the large hose on the port side (looks like it goes into the water pump), it filled up & nothing came out of any of the drain plugs in the engine. So, I'm assuming that one leads to the water intake in the outdrive, but because the boat is in the water, I couldn't see anything coming out. I replaced all the drain plugs & filled everything with antifreeze (removed the thermostat housing too, and added some directly to the block, just for good measure), but I'm a little concerned about that port-side hose. I pumped all the water out of there I could, and refilled with antifreeze, but I'm worried there's water trapped downstream of that hose that might cause problems. Any input or advice? -- kevin c smith http://centricle.com Try sticking a stiff wire up the drain openings to make sure all the water drained from them. Sometimes (oftentimes) debris will clog the drains. |
#4
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
Often the drains get plugged up with rust and scale. You need to rod out the
passages behind the drain plugs. JIMinFL "kevin c smith" wrote in message oups.com... This has been keeping me up at night, so I'm hoping somebody here can shed some light: I removed the drain plugs from both exhaust manifolds & from each side of the block. Then, I removed all six hoses from the thermostat housing & flushed each with freshwater. When I tried to flush the large hose on the port side (looks like it goes into the water pump), it filled up & nothing came out of any of the drain plugs in the engine. So, I'm assuming that one leads to the water intake in the outdrive, but because the boat is in the water, I couldn't see anything coming out. I replaced all the drain plugs & filled everything with antifreeze (removed the thermostat housing too, and added some directly to the block, just for good measure), but I'm a little concerned about that port-side hose. I pumped all the water out of there I could, and refilled with antifreeze, but I'm worried there's water trapped downstream of that hose that might cause problems. Any input or advice? -- kevin c smith http://centricle.com |
#5
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
So, you're thinking that hose drains into the block, like the one on
the starboard side? When I flushed the starboard one (and the block itself - under the thermostat housing), water flowed freely out both block drains. |
#6
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
"kevin c smith" wrote in message ups.com... So, you're thinking that hose drains into the block, like the one on the starboard side? When I flushed the starboard one (and the block itself - under the thermostat housing), water flowed freely out both block drains. If water flowed freely out of all drains then they are not blocked. |
#7
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
The drains on either side of the block are the low point drains for the
block. If you push the large water pump hose down, you might get another pint out. When you close the drains and put anti freeze into the big hose, it will fill the engine and come out the hoses that were disconnected from the top of the Tstat housing. The input from the stern drive comes from the top of the mounting bracket then goes to an oil cooler which is low on the side of the engine. Which side I don't remember. Then it goes to the Tstat housing. Your service manual should show you how the engine is plumbed. I can't tell from your description which hoses you are talking about. If you leave the boat in the water, you may not be able to prevent water from reentering the engine unless you disconnect the input to the oil cooler and raise it above the waterline and plug it. "kevin c smith" wrote in message ups.com... So, you're thinking that hose drains into the block, like the one on the starboard side? When I flushed the starboard one (and the block itself - under the thermostat housing), water flowed freely out both block drains. |
#8
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
Okay, thanks for the info.
I think I might just buy a heater for the engine compartment to keep my sanity. |
#9
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
Yes, thats the line from the outboard pump. You can lower it as much as
possible to get water out of it. Because the water pump is a rubber impeller is does not easily leak down. But it will eventually and if you fill with antifreeze it will get into it. You did not mention but I'm guessing you are leaving it in salt water? Any salt water in the lower unit will not freeze unless you are in the extreme north. I suppose you have a reason not to pull it out and trailer it over the winter. I/O's are not well suited to leaving in the water. They corode too easily. "kevin c smith" wrote in message oups.com... This has been keeping me up at night, so I'm hoping somebody here can shed some light: I removed the drain plugs from both exhaust manifolds & from each side of the block. Then, I removed all six hoses from the thermostat housing & flushed each with freshwater. When I tried to flush the large hose on the port side (looks like it goes into the water pump), it filled up & nothing came out of any of the drain plugs in the engine. So, I'm assuming that one leads to the water intake in the outdrive, but because the boat is in the water, I couldn't see anything coming out. I replaced all the drain plugs & filled everything with antifreeze (removed the thermostat housing too, and added some directly to the block, just for good measure), but I'm a little concerned about that port-side hose. I pumped all the water out of there I could, and refilled with antifreeze, but I'm worried there's water trapped downstream of that hose that might cause problems. Any input or advice? -- kevin c smith http://centricle.com |
#10
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Winterizing Mercruiser 5.7 - draining all the water
Kevin,
You didn't say if the boat was in or out of water. If out of water the best procedure IMO is to start the engine on the hose w/earmuffs on and run it up to temp so t-stat opens. Dump in fuel stabilizer previously so it circulates through the fuel system into the carb/throttle body. Once at op temperature shut off engine and water & pull all drains. My 1999 5.7 Merc has 5 - two on the block, two on the manifolds, and one on the low point of the fat circ pump hose. Then stick a funnel in a short section of hose to the earmuffs and ready 3 gallons of marine/RV antifreeze. Have helper start pouring antifreeze into funnel and start the engine. By the time 2 gallons have been poured the cooling system should be pretty much full and by the 3rd gallon red antifreeze will by ****ing out the exhaust. At this point blast the fogging spray into the carb throat (remove spark arrestor) until the engine dies. Some like to use Mystery Oil for this. At this point the antifreeze has displaced any residual water in the block and the fogging spray has protected the cylinders from corrosion. This method was shown to me by a marine tech and has worked quite well for the six seasons we've had our boat. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing, but the important thing is to get any water out of the block to prevent freezing damage and protect the combustion chambers from corrosion. Wooly |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
Carribean Sail | General | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
A Recreational Boating Message | General | |||
A Recreational Boating Message | General |