Table of Contents
How do you winterize inboard motor on a boat?
How To Winterize an Inboard Boat Warm the Engine to Winterize Inboard Boat. Fill the Tank to Winterize Your Inboard Boat. Add Antifreeze to Winterize Your Inboard Boat. Spray the Engine with Fogging Oil. Winterize Your Boat with an Oil Change. Clean & Spot Check Everything. Store Your Boat with SecurCare Self Storage.
Do you have to winterize an inboard motor?
If you’ve got an inboard or a sterndrive (inboard/outboard) boat motor, then winterizing is an absolute must-do. This process prevents gunk from building up, keeps condensation out of the fuel tank and just overall keeps your engine healthy.
How do you drain water from an inboard boat motor?
Drain the Engine (for inboards and stern-drives) Locate and open the petcocks (some engines have bronze plugs similar to bilge plugs) underneath the manifolds and on the sides of the engine block. Remove the water-pump hose from the bottom of the water pump to let it drain completely.
Do you leave antifreeze in boat engine?
Note: Sam likes to leave the engine block flushed but empty for the winter. However, some marine engine manufacturers recommend filling the entire engine with RV antifreeze. Always follow your engine manufacturer’s advice.
How do you winterize a marine engine?
How to Winterize Different Boat Engines Fog the engine. Change the oil. Fill the engine block with antifreeze. Top off the fuel tank and stabilize the fuel. Drain the freshwater tank and water lines and protect them with antifreeze. Sanitation Systems.
How much does it cost to winterize an inboard boat?
If you winterize your boat yourself, it will cost you about $250. This price includes the cost of winterizing the engine, the other systems of your boat, and cleaning it, stem to stern, inside and out. However, if you have the work done at a boatyard, expect to spend $500 up.
Should I winterize my boat myself?
For the handy, self-sufficient boat owner, taking care of winterizing yourself is a great way to save money. Ironically, DIY can potentially even save you some time. Winterizing a boat can be done in less than an hour in many cases, less time than you’d spend just driving the vessel to and from the marina or shop.
What happens if boat is not winterized?
If You Don’t Winterize Your Boat, Here’s What Happens: Water freezes and expands and can damage anything it’s trapped inside. Water may seep into unprotected spaces to do this. Acidic and corrosive wastes, salt and corrosion buildup can damage delicate parts in engines. Fuels break down or grow dirty.
Is fogging a boat motor necessary?
Fogging a boat engine is an essential part of the winterizing process. If you’re putting your boat into long-term storage, fogging the outboard motor is vital. You’ll spray it into the carburetors and spark plugs (carefully) so that the oil can coat every part of the motor.
How cold does it have to be before winterizing a boat?
Unwinterized boat engines can freeze any time the air temperature is below 28°F (-2°C) – for an extended period. Freshwater cooled engines without proper coolant can freeze below 32°F (0°C). The good news is you can prevent freeze damage fairly easily.
How much antifreeze Do I need to winterize my inboard boat?
To winterize the engine with antifreeze, you’ll need a five-gallon bucket, and enough antifreeze for your engine and related plumbing (at least two gallons).
How do you winterize a boat motor without starting it?
Two things need to happen: Oil Change and Anti-Freeze the Raw Water side of your motor. Oil Change works best if you can run the motor for 5 minutes or so and let it warm up. Helps make it flow easier and resuspends the particulates for easier drain/suck out.
Where does water come out of inboard outboard?
Fresh seawater is normally drawn by a belt driven pump from a thru hull fitting in hull of boat on inboards, or by water pump in stern drive through the lower unit water passages on an inboard/outboard, and then exits the boat through the exhaust.
At what temperature will an engine block crack?
How Cold Does It Have To Get To Crack An Engine Block? freezing water without adding any additives like alcohol or antifreeze, and, if it is in an engine block, eventually cracking something, 32 degrees is all it takes.
Can I leave my boat outside in the winter?
So, can boats be stored outside in the winter? You can keep boats outside in the winter if you provide adequate protection against harsh weather. But you can’t simply park the boat on your driveway as most people do during the boating season. Leaving your boat outside during the cold season can damage the boat.
How can I keep my boat engine warm?
Electric boat heaters can be used in the cabin to warm the living space or in the engine compartment to keep the engine warm and dry. Just make sure to get the right one for the job, as cabin heaters and engine compartment heaters (also called bilge heaters) have different uses and features.
How many gallons of antifreeze does it take to winterize a 4.3 Mercruiser?
Instead of using a winterizing kit, you’ll need a five-gallon bucket, and enough antifreeze for your engine and related plumbing (at least two gallons). If your engine takes a lot of antifreeze, you might also need a helper to add antifreeze to the bucket as needed.
What is the difference between marine antifreeze and automotive antifreeze?
Marine antifreeze is non-toxic and often contains rust and corrosion inhibitors that protect your engine during the winter. In contrast, auto antifreeze is designed to be used both as antifreeze and coolant for your car engine and can be extremely toxic and environmentally damaging.
