winterization
 

Hi Folks,

This is our first winter with our boat and we are looking for a list of things to get done by our Marina. Our boat is a 1999 Z222 with a V8 engine. I was thinking of the following:

1) Change engine oil and filter
2) Change lower unit oil
3) Drain water from the engine?

Thanks for your help.

GW

Re: winterization
 

Congrats on your "new" boat! Most marinas and service facilities around here offer "Winterizing packages". They usually come in 2 or 3 levels of service.

Option 1 is usually just a bare-bones winterization, and this will usually be your cheapest option.
Option 2 is your mid range, and includes things like an oil change, etc.
Option 3 is your top of the line service, which includes a full winterization, oil change, impeller replacement, inspection of the bellows, removal and lubrication of the outdrive, and all moving parts etc.

I usually have a top of the line service done every two years. Never had any issues whatsoever! I would suggest for your first year that you get a full package done, since you're not sure of the previous owner's maintenance schedule.

Re: winterization
 

I agree with Chris but unless you got some kind of records of past service I'd definitely go for Option 3 for your first year.

Re: winterization
 

Ok so I went to the marina and was quoted $400.00 for the following:

- stable for gas
- fog engine
- drain lower unit and refill
- change engine oil and filter
- remove battery
- drain water from engine and flush with Anitfreeze

Question
1) Does this seem like a fair price
2) the boat has a bravo3 lower unit. Is this more complex to service?

Thanks for your input

Re: winterization
 

that seems quite fair.

My boat just had $751 done:

R&R all 8 spark plugs
R&R engine oil/filter
R&R pickup water pump impeller
R&R lower unit grease
R&R power tilt/trim pump fluid
R&R fuel/water filter
clean and re-oil air filter

The two things they didnt do, nor check, was the tranny fluid. It was low and ended up setting off the alarm. I also just had the serpentine belt replaced. It's all done now and ready for next summer. Im going to winterize it myself by filling fuel tank, adding ethanol based sta-bil, fogging cylinders and flushing water from cooling system and replacing with anit-freeze. Cap and wires all look great.

Mines a 7.4 mpi/bravo 3

Re: winterization
 

Quite reasonable estimate.

Re: winterization
 

One step I always read for wintering a boat is filling the gas tank. Why is it necessary? Mariah boats have top quality plastic gas tanks so condensation and rust should not be an issue. Today's gas even with stabilizer goes bad very quickly so why encounter this problem in the Spring.

Re: winterization
 

$750 seems high to me. Spend a Saturday and do it yourself. I'm sure you can do it all for less than $70 dollars. All the info on Winterizing is on this site, and there are many videos that will show you everything you need to know. I just don't trust my boat to some young kid that was just hired at the shop to do a good job. :confused:

It's my MARIAH and I know that no one will care for her like I will. :wink_thumbup:

Re: winterization
 

I use drive Mercruiser Bravo 3 Where can I find Impeller? It is necessary to disassemble the Z - drive, or impeler is located on the engine?:confused:

Re: winterization
 

The impeller is essentially the water pump and is located on the engine somewhere near the front although I have not personally changed it. It is about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and about 1 to 1 1/2" thick made of a material something like rubber and looks like a thick fan with many blades. Time causes the material to lose its flexibility, the blades then will break and reduce the impellers ability to circulate the water through the engine causing it to overheat. It is recommended that it be changed every year but I change mine about every other year if nothing else to play it safe. There is nothing more agravating than for the siren to go off signaling an overheating condition. BTW, the siren also goes off when the I/O drive fluid is low.