Winterizing fluid in the strainers

[HappyPlace]

This will be the first season to winterize our R31 myself. I took copious notes when the mechanic performed this last year, but I am not completely sure how to introduce the "pink stuff" into the closed sea strainers, as the mechanic had a large container on wheels with a hose and pump.

What is the easiest way to get this accomplished? I found one boat owner that actually took a spare strainer cover and installed a hose valve in the top. Sounds like a good idea, but not sure this is necessary.

Any input is appreciated.

Al Sr.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Assuming you have a vertically mounted strainer you can just close the sea cock, take off the top, and pour the antifreeze in. To flush the engine just have several jugs on hand to keep pouring it while the engine is running. Less volume is needed if you drain the strainer and muffler.

 

[DBBRanger]

I found one boat owner that actually took a spare strainer cover and installed a hose valve in the top. Sounds like a good idea, but not sure this is necessary.

Al,

It is a bad idea - connecting a garden hose to the raw water will pressurize the system and possibly push water in the exhaust elbow into into the cylinders. It's not as convenient, but take off the cover and use the garden hose to keep the strainer full while running the engine.

Doug

 

[HappyPlace]

I found one boat owner that actually took a spare strainer cover and installed a hose valve in the top. Sounds like a good idea, but not sure this is necessary.

Al,

It is a bad idea - connecting a garden hose to the raw water will pressurize the system and possibly push water in the exhaust elbow into into the cylinders. It's not as convenient, but take off the cover and use the garden hose to keep the strainer full while running the engine.

Doug

Doug, I don't think he utilizes the hose pressure with his connection. I believe it was more to prevent missing the strainers and/or perhaps being able to do this singlehanded. I was more worried about the strainer going dry going from gallon to gallon, as I'm sure it will take more then one container full.

Al Sr.

 

[NorthernFocus]

... I was more worried about the strainer going dry going from gallon to gallon...

If your concern is impeller damage not to worry. Ultimately the impeller is damaged by heat caused by friction. During momentary interuptions to flow there simply isn't time to cook off residual water/antifreeze and get hot. Let's face it. If it happened that quickly most of us would likely go through multiple impellers in a season.

Hooking a hose up to the cooling system is a BAD idea.

 

[TBates]

Hi Al,

Many good suggestions shown above. I would recommend visiting the link provided below which shows how we winterize the boats here at the shop. The easiest way is to simply close the raw water valve and poor RV antifreeze into the sea strainer with the engine running. You'll want to do this until you see the antifreeze exiting the engine exhaust port. If using the gallon jugs, I like to have them open and ready to go to avoid the engine running 'dry' between gallons.

http://www.rangertugs.com/videos.aspx

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

-Tim

 

[S. Todd]

I found the hard part was pouring the antifreeze down into the strainer down there at the bottom of the bilge without half of it missing the target. A trip to the local hardware store and a PVC pipe adapter that is just under the diameter of the strainer and then PVC pipe up to where I can pour it without bending way over avoids most of the spillage. If you pour it in faster than the engine pumps it out you get some leakage because the PVC is not a tight fit in the strainer, but that avoids the problem of sending pressure into the system that the garden hose adapter cautions point out.

 

[HappyPlace]

Thank you all for your input! I feel confident all will go well now!

Al Sr.