Free Credit Report

winterizing question

I have a Donzi Regazza with a 5.7 Mercruiser. I live in the Northeast and the boat will be shrinkwrapped outside. I'm debating two things. Should I leave the tank (Metal) full with gas and add stabil or should it be empty? Also should I drain the engine from coolant (raw water cooled) or run the "pink stuff" through it until it comes out? Thanks in advance. David
D&LBusch
Oct 10
2006
Fill the gas and stabilize. Drain the block,risers,water pump, and risers, then fill with the pink stuff or something with metal protection. Jim Jim
Oct 10
We should start a FAQ for rec.boats.

There are a lot of opinions on this subject. In your case, with the metal tank, I'd take it down to near empty (leave 5/10 gallons), use Sta-bil for a full tank and keep it capped but vented. I'd also vent the shrink wrap tent to keep air flow constant.

>Also should I drain the engine from coolant (raw water cooled) or run the >"pink stuff" through it until it comes out?

That's what I would do.

Tom
Oct 10
I have an unusual circumstance this year with regards to winterizing the Navigator. I purposely have not started the engines since they were winterized last fall. I figured I'd save some money on winterizing this year but, at the recommendation of one of the diesel techs, they will be fired up just to circulate oil to all the bearings and turbos, then winterized again with fresh anti-freeze. I used the generator, so that will have to be done along with all the water and AC systems. We are going to wait until the first week of December however.

The GB has been used, so it needs the full treatment anyway. It will be hauled at the end of October and stored inside. The Navigator will stay in the water again this winter.

Eisboch

Eisboch
Oct 10
Opinions differ on leaving the tank full or not. I chose full with some sorta stablient. Our boat has a 5.7 efi merc engine (2001).

As far as the block I drained there are five drain cocks on it. They are blue in color. They are located near the center of the block. The outside ones are easly visiable. The other two are just inside and under a little further. It is easiser to feel them then to see them. The fifth is located under the left side of the engine under the water pump.

After they are drained and replaced you will see four hoses connecting to the front of the block. I then disconnect the front right hose and fill the block with antifreese. It took a little over a gallon and I could see it running out the drive leg. You can also here it filling un in the block as you pour it in. It only took about 15 minutes to do.

I was going to use the muffs method. But the local marina teck suggest this as a better way. He pointed out that just using the muffs. The engine needs to be warned up to open the Thermostat. And even then it opens just a little bit. Not allowing a whole lot of antifreeze in.

Capt Jack R..

Jack
Oct 10
I suggest that since you seem to lack experience, you take it to a reputable dealer and have it winterized there and have the other regular maintenance done at the same time. I witnessed at my local marina this summer the result of an improperly winterized 5.7 (efi) ... what a shame. bowgus
Oct 10
   

Disclaimer: This is a computer-generated and formatted feed of current postings to a public
Internet forum. We do not control the information delivered, nor do we endorse or monitor its
content. Internet forums may carry offensive, harmful, inaccurate, and otherwise inappropriate material.
Click to see the RSS XML version of this page   Click to see the Atom XML version of this page