How to Winterize A Boat / Mercruiser / Volvo / OMC

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How to Winterize A Boat / Mercruiser / Volvo / OMC

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3 жыл бұрын

How to winterize a boat. Step by step easy to follow instructions of how to prepare your boat for winter. I did this to my 4.3 mercruiser but, it is similar to the 5.0 and 5.7. Volvo and OMC can be done like this too. I have other videos of my 3.0.
Step 1, Add seafoam or stable to your fuel tank and run it for 5 to ten min.
Step 2, Can skip this step, pull carb cover off and spray fogging spray into the carb till it kills the motor to coat the cylinders with oil to prevent rust pitting. Better for long term storage.
Step 3, Unscrew all 5 block and manifold drain plugs to get water out of motor.
Step 4, Pour Marine/RV coolant directly into hose until it comes out of the top and lower end.
Step 5, You don't have to but, I repeat step 3 and then 4 again just to make sure the coolant made it to all parts of the motor.
Step 6, Drain lower end. Recommended to refill it.
All done.

Пікірлер: 96

@chadbollen4837 3 жыл бұрын

Make sure to fill with the antifreeze. So many people just drain the block. There's pockets that won't just drain. Can crack. Fill it up, be safe.

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful tip.

@therosses5 Жыл бұрын

and yet the volvo penta manual states just to drain it... 🤔

@STABILBrand 10 ай бұрын

Great boat winterization video! Thank you for using our STA-BIL 360 Marine and STA-BIL Fogging Oil!

@steveo7624 3 жыл бұрын

thank you CHRIS JUST GOT TIRED OF PAYING FOR OVER PRICE WINTERIZING, GREAT INFO

@oldkoot5828 Жыл бұрын

Now that is one engine with the best acess that i have ever seen!

@lumusmaxhuni4532 Жыл бұрын

That part about Engine i found this video and method the easiest ,was super helpful from all those youtube ive seen so far Thanks 😊

@davesaiger8267 3 жыл бұрын

The best video on this topic I have found. Thank You

@07Convertable 2 жыл бұрын

I love the coffee cup! I have several of them myself!!

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

I bought mine in Houston TX at the space center. I love that cup

@07Convertable 2 жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka I work at GSFC Wallops Flight Facility so I get them from the Exchange on base. The Space Center is awesome! Have you been to Huntsville? Also, I have a MerCruiser 350 MPI (fuel injected). What do you recommend for it? I figured that since it is not carbureted that I don't need to try fogging anything.

@thefamily6418 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, going to try and winterize my Mercuiser 4.3 today based on your videos. Thanks for answering a lot of questions in the comments, I found that helpful also!!!

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

Hope it helped. Thank you for watching

@WayneTheBoatGuy 3 жыл бұрын

I’m gonna be doing my Volvo 5.7 very soon and making a video. I was planning on using the Camco jug with the valve, but I can’t find the Volvo pump adapter anywhere. I like your method better. Good job!

@NWI_Steel 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. You saved me money doing it myself vs taking it to the marina!

@therosses5 Жыл бұрын

nice! ...and engine oil and filter change using manufacturer's oil specs....

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka Жыл бұрын

Northwest life? Where are you from?

@therosses5 Жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka originally Coos Bay, Oregon.

@JoshH001 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much the videos you do! They are very helpful!

@jfmc2581 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video PEANUTBUTTER CUPS!! 2:33

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

Lol.

@alanbickford175 3 жыл бұрын

Great stuff Chris. I also watched another vid on getting the antifreeze into the block where they used sealing ear muffs and sucked the antifreeze directly (whilst running) from 3-gallon jugs after draining. They also did the fogging upon completion/while sucking in the last gallon of AF. They also said the fogging should run until you see blue smoke, then kill the engine. Thanks so much for the details of plug locations which is why I am here. BTW, you said in your vid 50 degrees, I know you meant to say -50 lol..

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

Yep. -50 burr

@imthatguyuhate 3 жыл бұрын

This method doesn't address the water pump impeller and associated passageways that will have freshwater in them. The last step should be running the motor and draw some coolant through the water intake to dilute any lingering raw water.

@imthatguyuhate 3 жыл бұрын

This will also add coolant to a power steering cooler if equipped.

@donaldgmiller79 2 жыл бұрын

my thoughts exactly i always heard you have to run the boat on muffs to get the thermostat open then switch to antifreeze through the muffs to suck it through the impeller untill it runs pink out the exhaust i see a lot of guys missing this step

@blackberry8136 2 жыл бұрын

I did everything just like you explained. I did not notice any pink coming out of impeller housing though...... Am I still safe? I mean I flushed that thing full pink, I just never saw any come out of the impeller

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

I'm sure it's fine.

@sean7225 3 жыл бұрын

Chris, great video. I live in MN and have watched a lot of your videos which helped me buy my first boat this year. Now on to my first season of winterizing myself. Question, I have a meec 4.3 (2004 mfg date) but I have 6 hoses instead of 4. Any idea if I should pour coolant down the same hose as you did in this video? Also, I see you only poured coolant down one hose in this video, in others you have poured down the forward (bow end) two hoses. Any reason? Also, do you recommend changing oil/winterizing on a level surface vs an inncline driveway? I noticed you do this work on the street in most videos. Thanks for the help!

@jandjmca 3 жыл бұрын

I noticed what looked like a large crack in your engine support not good if wood under the engine starts to rot.

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

Its been like that long before I got it. My uncle owned it before me and my grandpa. It has been dry. I am have a guy at a boat shop fix it in spring. I was watching it to see if it would get stressed or worse with good use. It hasn't so, a fiber glass fix was recommended

@bigs6364 3 жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka I commented on those cracks a few months ago in one of your other videos. I have the same boat, same cracks. Did they say what the repair is going to cost you?

@zachwright198 3 жыл бұрын

Hey man, thanks for all the boat vids. They have been super helpful. I've got a 305 from 1990 and can only find the manifold and block drains. 4. It doesn't seem to have the one on the front starboard by the fuel/water separator. Do some motors not have that one?

@carlboo949 2 жыл бұрын

when you drain or fill the outdrive it should be fully DOWN

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

Correct

@gagepuffinbarger6939 23 күн бұрын

Boy, they sure could've made it a bit easier...

@djflashlinx5150 3 жыл бұрын

shouldn't the outdrive be in full down position when filling with gear oil?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

It is best

@mikeyhuang4734 2 жыл бұрын

So I have those two blue drain pipes on my 3.0 mercruiser. How do I add antifreeze to the exhaust manifold and block?

@Mihalyofficial 2 жыл бұрын

By undoing the coolant lines near the thermostat and filling those.

@chrisdang4080 10 ай бұрын

Do you leave the coolant in the block or drain it back out?

@ryansimnacher5459 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, general question here, does the marine antifreeze eat the plastic impeller?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

I've never heard of it eating it.

@jaynicholls3887 Жыл бұрын

i don't get antifreeze coming out of my manifold drain plug after i fill up the manifold hose. Any idea why? is it because of boat angle? Jay in Northern Alberta.

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka Жыл бұрын

Poke somthing in the hole. Rust flakes can clog the hole. Every year one of mine clogs

@kevinmccarey5015 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Chris I have heard some times those blue plugs snap off when trying to remove, which makes me nervous if it breaks. Have you heard this before? Thanks Kevin

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

Yes it can happen. If the do break off they are easy to drill out since they are plastic.

@joeyfret8804 3 жыл бұрын

Video was 👍 thanks, you use -75 antifreeze for Minnesota, i live in Florida, and can i still use the boat with the new antifreeze in? Im planning of using my boat till the end of October Mid November. 🙏🏽

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

You can use the boat with the pink anti freeze. It should not be bad for the environment. -75 antifreeze might be a little over kill for you down there.

@dereks4497 3 жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka I hail from central MN. Nothing is overkill here. I know you know what I'm talking about there

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

@@dereks4497 I agree. What town in Minnesota? I'm SW suburbs

@edil.lopezm9443 2 жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka . Hey Christ PLEASE ADVISE....My engine is a 1993 Mercruiser 5.0/LX , I only found one plug and I believe is from the block so I drained it, I unhook all the hoses since I couldn't find any other plugs. If I pour antifreeze same way you did troutout that hose, will the antifreeze get to the block? Just want to be safe. I'm in Mryland not s cold as Minnesota...it gets barely to 10. Thank u

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

@@edil.lopezm9443 it should reach block. Keep pouring it in untill it's pure pink coming out

@smcool100 3 жыл бұрын

Would it be better to run the engine while sucking in the coolant? Or is simply adding it through the thermostat hoses enough? By not running it would any passages be left free of coolant?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

I prefer adding through the tubs. Both ways work. If you run the motor make sure ut gets hot enough that the thermostat opens otherwise coolant won't get in everywhere.

@beefcakes27 3 жыл бұрын

Don't you want the outboard level when adding gear oil?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

It is best. To prevent air bubbles

@jimcarris3258 2 жыл бұрын

Easier to hook up atifreeze to muffs and just run it through the engine until its pink coming out.

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

I have the jug to do it that way. I'm scared the thermostat won't open and it won't go into the block all the way. Also, some people can't start their boat / won't start. This works in that situation

@chrisjones4493 3 жыл бұрын

I poured 3 gallons of antifreeze, half thru the Block side hose and half thru the manifold hose that connects to the intake of water. Problem, antifreeze did not flow out through water intake slots. ...did I do something wrong? In your video, the pink Antifreeze poured out of these water intake slots.

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

When you pour into the big hose. Plug the part it hooks up to with a rag. Then pour into there. Maybe the plugs are clogged

@DuyPham-vd9js 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, I am planning to winterize my Volvo 4.3 this weekend and watching this video helps very much so. I do have a question, do you leave the antifreeze in there or drain it all out? Also, will I need to fill the tank with as with the stabilizer or just enough in there? This is my first time doing this so I am very unsure.

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

You can do either. Leave antifreeze in or drain it. Some say leaving it in prevents rust. Unsure if that is true. I prefer to drain it. You don't need to fill the gas tank. Put the amount of seafoam or stable in the jug says that you need. Some say fill the tank to prevent condensation. I think you get condensation anyways. So, in my opinion it doesn't matter. Less old gas to burn in the spring the less you have in the tank.

@leviwoodring7587 2 жыл бұрын

How often should you change the trim revisor fluid?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe every few years. Some people never do

@dylanaldred6673 3 жыл бұрын

Can you link the stuff used in the vid in the description?

@ledrone.47 3 жыл бұрын

anybody got thirsty after watching this video?>

@chrisjones4493 3 жыл бұрын

Is it necessary to warm up the engine before adding the antifreeze flush. With the thermostat closed will u still get antifreeze everywhere in manifolds and block with engine cold.?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

You Don't need to warm it up if you direct inject the antifreeze. If you do it with a bucket you need to warm it up.

@chrisjones4493 3 жыл бұрын

Chris Boats how do you direct inject.

@jannahwish312 3 жыл бұрын

Hi do u know why all the antifreeze i put in goes down the lower end ?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

It should. Pour some in a different hose. You must be putting it in the hose that is suppose to bring the water from the lower end to the motor.

@jannahwish312 3 жыл бұрын

We put it in all three hoses though

@mariobenitez8368 3 жыл бұрын

Hello I leave in apple valley mn. Where you buy -75 antifreeze

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

Menards eden prairie is where I get my -75 degree antifrerze

@mariobenitez8368 3 жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka thank u Chris i have my boat winterize today with _50 hopefully work thank u

@bziton 3 жыл бұрын

Just bought Prestone -100 RV Antifreeze from Walmart, Eagan

@mariobenitez8368 3 жыл бұрын

@@bziton thanks bziton next time. For sure

@xeriusanklesaria7155 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! This question might have been asked prior but do you drain all the antifreeze out of the system or do you let it sit in the block? Also, when pouring antifreeze into the smaller pipe that goes to the lower unit, do you have to do it when the engine is hot?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

No the engine doesn't have to be hot and yes it goes to the lower end and yes you can leave the coolant in the motor. It doesn't matter either way.

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

The two hoses go to the manifolds

@cynthiasantiago3805 3 жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka I've heard most shops recommend draining it after. I suppose it doesn't matter either way. Thanks for this video.

@fike301 2 жыл бұрын

The coolant adds corrosion protection for the water jackets, provide some rust protection .... Only reason to leave in . Many argue to drain is best, air won't freeze? Mine gets filled -100 blue!

@lsxjunkie 3 жыл бұрын

Do you warm the engine to open thermostat and then drain and then add antifreeze?

@SReinauer2 3 жыл бұрын

YES...10 minute warm up should do it

@MrRaiderfan23 3 жыл бұрын

What about the pump for the live well? Does it retain water?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

I don't have one. If I did. I'd pull hose off pump and let it drain

@chrisjones4493 3 жыл бұрын

How do you DIRECT INJECT the antifreeze?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

Pour into hoses

@PMPerformance 3 жыл бұрын

The way you are wasting coolant here makes me think this is pretty cheap coolant. I thought there is specific coolant to be used for the motors to avoid freezing over?

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

4 per gallon. It is RV/Marine coolant.

@PMPerformance 3 жыл бұрын

@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka I thought the stuff for portable water was a no no? I went to buy stuff at Walmart over the weekend and said it was not suited for engines

@BigIslandMNMinnetonka 3 жыл бұрын

@@PMPerformance I've been using it for years. Never a problem. Maybe put it in and then drain the block if you are worried.