Want to get rid of the ads? Become a member by registering today.
The Mariah Owners Club

Forum Left Top

Welcome to the The Mariah Owners Club.


Winterizing questions - 2003 SX9

Boating 101

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 12-01-2007, 10:13 PM   #1

Grease is currently offline
Posts: 2
Status: Stowaway
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Alabama
Find me on the Map
Gallery Images: 0


Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send Grease:
a Private Message
 
Default 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.
Reply With Quote
  • Old 12-02-2007, 09:42 AM   #2
     
    WetWilly's Avatar

    WetWilly is currently offline
    Posts: 2,205
    Status: INACTIVE
    Join Date: Sep 2007
    Location: SF Bay Area, Ca.
    Find me on the Map
    My Year: 1996
    My Model: Z240 Talari
    My Engine: 7.4L Bravo III
    Gallery Images: 25


    Thanks: 3
    Thanked 110 Times in 55 Posts
    Send WetWilly:
    a Private Message
     
    Default

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Grease View Post
    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
    Reply With Quote
    Thank you WetWilly for this useful post!
    josh3204 (10-15-2010)
    Old 12-02-2007, 01:57 PM   #3
     
    ShabahZ280's Avatar

    ShabahZ280 is currently offline
    Posts: 3,825
    Status: Admin & Mariah Fanatic
    Join Date: Jun 2007
    Location: Cincinnati, OH
    Find me on the Map
    My Year: 1999
    My Model: Z280 MCC
    My Engine: 7.4L MPI Bravo III
    Gallery Images: 1564


    Thanks: 8
    Thanked 367 Times in 274 Posts
    Send ShabahZ280:
    a Private Message
     
    Default

    We have some service manuals which you'll find very handy on our site. Click the Donate button and find out the details.
    __________________
    Chris
    -1999 Mariah Z280 MCC, 7.4L MPI Bravo 3 DuoProp
    -2000 Mariah Shabah Z250 Limited Edition, 7.4L MPI, Bravo 1 (Sold, but not forgotten!)
    -Formerly known as ShabahZ250
    -USCG Licensed 50 Ton Near Coastal Master Captain with Towing Certification
    Reply With Quote
    Old 12-02-2007, 03:18 PM   #4
     
    Mark's Avatar

    Mark is currently offline
    Posts: 126
    Status: Admiral
    Join Date: Sep 2007
    Location: Independence Ohio
    Find me on the Map
    My Year: 1999
    My Model: 182 shabah
    My Engine: 4.3L
    Gallery Images: 5


    Thanks: 0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Send Mark:
    a Private Message
     
    Default

    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)
    Reply With Quote
    Old 01-13-2008, 07:48 PM   #5
    202

    202 is currently offline
    Posts: 8
    Status: Stowaway
    Join Date: Jan 2008
    Location: arkansas
    Find me on the Map
    My Model: 2000 202shabah 5.0efi bravo III
    Gallery Images: 5


    Thanks: 0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Send 202:
    a Private Message
     
    Default 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
    Reply With Quote
    Old 01-13-2008, 10:00 PM   #6
     
    rjobe's Avatar

    rjobe is currently offline
    Posts: 53
    Status: First Mate
    Join Date: Aug 2007
    Location: Springfield, OH
    Find me on the Map
    Gallery Images: 18


    Thanks: 0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Send rjobe:
    a Private Message
     
    Default

    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
    __________________
    Randy
    1995 Z202 Shabah, 350 Mag / Alpha 1
    Springfield, OH (kept @ Indian Lake, OH)
    Reply With Quote
    Old 01-13-2008, 10:21 PM   #7
    202

    202 is currently offline
    Posts: 8
    Status: Stowaway
    Join Date: Jan 2008
    Location: arkansas
    Find me on the Map
    My Model: 2000 202shabah 5.0efi bravo III
    Gallery Images: 5


    Thanks: 0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Send 202:
    a Private Message
     
    Default

    no i just drain the blue plugs and have not had any problems i live in north arkansas
    Reply With Quote
    Old 01-14-2008, 04:49 PM   #8
     
    Mark's Avatar

    Mark is currently offline
    Posts: 126
    Status: Admiral
    Join Date: Sep 2007
    Location: Independence Ohio
    Find me on the Map
    My Year: 1999
    My Model: 182 shabah
    My Engine: 4.3L
    Gallery Images: 5


    Thanks: 0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Send Mark:
    a Private Message
     
    Default

    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.
    Reply With Quote
    Old 01-25-2008, 07:07 AM   #9

    sledge437 is currently offline
    Posts: 13
    Status: Platinum Contributor
    Join Date: Jul 2007
    Location: San Marcos, Tx
    Gallery Images: 0


    Thanks: 0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Send sledge437:
    a Private Message
     
    Default

    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.
    Reply With Quote
    Reply

    Bookmarks




    Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
     
    Thread Tools


    Similar Threads
    Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
    New owner with questions turfguy99 Original Mariah Talk 3 05-05-2008 01:30 AM
    1999 Z302 questions grandlake mariah z302 Original Mariah Talk 8 04-22-2008 04:02 PM
    First Boat: 2003 SX9 Grease Introductions 3 12-02-2007 01:50 PM



    Forum Right Top
    Forum Left Bottom Forum Right Bottom
     
    Right Left
    Member Login
    Forgot password?
    Forum LeftForum Right

    About the Club
    Age of the Mariah Owners Club:

    Total Members: 18,510
    Total Threads: 12,950
    Total Posts: 68,294
    Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to Mariah Owners Club on YouTube
    There are 291 users
    currently browsing forums.
    Forum LeftForum Right

    Find us on Facebook
    Forum LeftForum Right

    Club Sponsors
    Right Sponsor





    Forum LeftForum Right
    Right Right
    Right Bottom Left Right Bottom Right