de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this question, but I am looking for a "do-it-yourself" way to de-winterize my boat for the summer.

There are several threads about winterizing engines, but didn't seem to see any on how to get ready for spring.

Please help! Thanks!

As like most, I am looking to be able to do things myself to save from have to spend tons of cash by having someone else do it for me.

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

All i've ever done to 'de-winterize' my boat in the spring (after its been winterized in the fall) is to give her a cleanup, install the battery, put in fresh gas and fire her up. Other than maybe putting in fresh spark plugs & changing the engine oil (not absolutely necessary if done in the fall) there isn't much else to do.

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

the oils were all changed in the fall.
What about the anti-freeze in the engine? Doesn't it have to come out?

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

Nope. It will become diluted and flushed out when you run the boat.

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

I always like to run the engine up on muffs in the driveway, to burn off the fogging oil from the fall, and be sure all of the gauges are working properly. No one like surprises after you have launched it. ;)

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

so basically, just hook up the muffs, fire it up and let it run for a few minutes?
Seems way too easy...makes me a little nervous....

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

Yep, it is fairly easy. As 300sflyer suggested, its a good time to check your blower/gauges/trim/trailer lights and anything else you can think of to make sure its working before you hit the water.

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

I just pulled my 93 Barchetta out into the driveway. I hooked up the mouse ears and started it up. It was not too happy about starting and running smooth with all that fogging oil. After it burned off, it ran smooth. Remember to no run up too far past 1500 rpm (could collapse the hose - so they say).
Antifreeze went down the sewer (safe stuff). Now, all I need is the wind to stop blowing so I can take the boat out.:)

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

I guess I am concerned that the marina used regular anti-freeze, as opposed to the potable stuff that is safe for the environment.

I don't want to go dumping stuff onto the street that is going to kill fish and all that...

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

No, they stay in place all winter. When they install the antifreeze those drain plugs have to be in place or out it goes.

All marinas up here use the environmental stuff & i would be surprised if any reputable marina in the USA used anything else.

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

Raise the bow of the boat as far as possible in your driveway, and put a bucket or pail under the boat at the drain plug. Remove all your drain plugs in the engine, and the antifreeze will drain into the bucket. You could even save it for next winter when you winterize again.;)

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

that would be a great idea, but I haven't the foggiest clue where the drain plugs would be on my engine....
I am anything but mechanically inclined, which is why I end up having to pay someone to do it for me.
I have the 5.7 L V8, maybe someone could point me in the direction of where the drain plugs are located...

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

Ok, assuming you do not have a newer EFI engine, there are 5 drain points you need to find. 2 are brass plugs in the block itself, and 3 hoses.

The ones in the block are the hardest to find and get at. There is one on each side of the engine block, just above the top of the oil pan. You will need a wrench or socket with a ratchet to remove them. Once they are removed and it has drained, just put them back in.

Next are the exhaust manifold drains. On the bottom of each manifold, [again one on each side of the engine] there is a hose held in place with a hose clamp. That hose is about 1" in diameter. Undue the clamp with a screwdriver, and pull / twist the hose off. Once drained, just put them back on and tighten the clamps again.

Last is the water pump hose. Looking at the front of the engine, there are two big pulleys with belts on them. Just to the left of the top pulley, is a large diameter hose [about 2.5 inches] that comes down from the top of the engine, and has a real hook or turn in it, just before it goes to the water pump. Again it is held on with a hose clamp. Undue the clamp, and pull / twist the hose off. Once it drains, put the hose and clamp back on.

Now you can run fire up the engine with the garden hose and the muffs placed on the outdrive.

BTW... NEVER run the engine without having the boat in the water, or having the garden hose and muffs in place. It only takes a few seconds without any water, to destroy the rubber water pump impeller located in the outdrive.

If you have any other questions, just ask. :-)

Re: de-winterizing my Alpha One
 

thanks! I will look at everything first and see if I can find all the plugs.
I really want to learn to do the work myself, so hopefully I can save some money!