Winterizing questions - 2003 SX9
 

We just bought our first boat this summer. The local marine shop says to just put fuel stabilizer in the tank, crank it up and get it to operating temperature, then spray a fogging oil in the carbs until the motor smokes reallly bad and shut it off.
Pull plugs from the manifolds and such to let all the water out and she is good for the winter here in central Alabama.

They said to change the grease and everything else in the out drive until spring.

Is this a common practice? Where are all of the plugs? I don't have a manual and didn't see anything in the forum for the "new" Mariahs concerning manuals.

Thanks for any help.

Hi Grease,

You need to drain the water from the engine block as well as the exhaust manifolds or you risk a cracked block.

Can you tell us what engine size and model outdrive you have?

I assume you've got a Mercruiser I/O so try this link for servicing your I/O: http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm
(this link was posted earlier by MariahMan in the Engine Maintenance and Repairs section/Mercruiser as a stickey titled: Detailed How To's, Tools, and Parts from MercStuff.com)

Here is the direct link to winterizing your I/O: http://www.mercstuff.com/winterizing.htm

I recommend you purchase a Mercruiser I/O service manual for your engine and outdrive combination as you have already found out, it's not covered in your boat's manuals.
(ebay is a good source for inexpensive manuals)

As the above link states "On an in-line 4 & 6 cyl., there should only be 1 drain on the engine block and on a V-6 & V-8 there will be 1 on each side of the block. As for the exhaust manifolds, on an in-line 4 & 6 cyl., there should only be 1 plug and again, on a V-6 & V-8 there will be 1 on each manifold".

I am looking for a picture of the drain plug locations but not having much luck, hopefully another member will have one and post it!

Good luck,
WetWilly

We have some service manuals which you'll find very handy on our site. Click the Donate button and find out the details.

What I do is pull all the engine hoses off one at a time and fill them with antifrezz. When it starts to pour out of the outdrive go to the next hose. It will take about 4 1/2 gallons. That is on the 4.3 motor.



Not snowing here.:):):):) (YET)

winterizing
 

I Have 5liter Efi Mercruiser Efi I Do The Same Thing The Shop Told You On A V8 There Is 3 Blue Plugs On Both Sides. I Do This 6 Years And No Trouble

Mark, et al,

I presume that you disconnect each hose at the highest point (toward the top of the engine), and then poor the antifreeze in. Is this correct?

Or do you remove both ends of the hoses, drain them, then reinstall the lowest portion then poor in the antifreeze?

Thx,

Randy

no i just drain the blue plugs and have not had any problems i live in north arkansas

Yes that is what I do take them from the highest point then fill them. You will see the water drain out from the ports . This is what I do anyway. I think with the antifrezz in the block it is a little bit better than not anything at all . (But thats me.) Everybody has there own way you have to pick yours.

I always put a bottle of Pennzoil (I know, Im not fond of the brand either, but its not oil!) marine fuel additive in with every tank. Great thing is, it is a stabilizer also so the gas is already conditioned when I put the boat up for winter. Also I have nver had a prob with my 4.3lx's carb since Ive been using the stuff. I like it.