Winterising that Inboard

[shibbs]

That was going to be my plan this weekend, pull the boat out and set about preparing her for the winter.after oil changes etc..
I pretty much did exactly the same as already said, run up to temperature on the muffs, then when ready, use a big barrel cut down with anti freeze in positioned under the leg so it can run back into it. connect the muffs with a hose into the barrel so it can draw up the antifreeze, run until I see antifreeze coming out, turn off fuel and be ready to fog just as it starts to run dry of fuel. I've never drained off again after this though.
Then all the standard winterising bits, battery out, cushions out, seats out, fresh water system and toilet drained and anti freeze run through.
Moisture absorbing bags positioned in, leg down and so on..
This was my plan until disco failed MOT today!

[Bigplumbs]

Well I think I chose the worst day (Weather wise to do my winterisation). It was blowing a gale and raining like no ones business. But the temps are falling so decided to go for it.

I put the fuel treatment in 10 ltrs and tested my giggle syphon to put that fuel in the tank. It worked fine and confirmed that this refuelling method will work well on the mooring..

Then cut the hose pipe about 2 m from the end and put in a joiner. Mixed up the antifreeze 5 ltrs in about the same amount of water.

Started the engine and ran it on the muffs and water tap for about 10 mins until the water coming out the return was warm. That told me the thermostat must have opened. Temp gauge was reading about 190 f (80 C) Stat opens at 72 c so I am certain it was going round the engine. Shouted to my mum who is 78 and was in the rain and gale to turn off the tap. Undid the coupler on the pipe and stuffed the end into the bucket of mixed antifreeze. To my amazement it sucked it all up and just as it was empty green warm water came out of the return. This is about right as the system says it holds 9 ltrs and I had about 10 ltrs in the bucket.

Shouted to my wife who was at the helm and standing freezing cold in the rain with numb hands to switch off the engine She had two hoods on so could not hear a dam thing. Shouted louder and off went the engine, she was complaining a bit as she reckoned she was soaked and frozen through. I told her about Anna and not to bee such a wuss. I skipped the fogging phase as I had too much going on. Several others have told me that fogging is not necessary and they have never done it. I am sure others will disagree but that is life.

I then put the leg down to let what water was in it drain out which it did.

like others have said I did not drain down the engine as the antifreeze was well mixed and should protect ok.,

I also purchased a small 60 w airing cupboard heater that I will put in the engine bay if the winter does turn out to be particularly cold. £16.99 from toolstation.

I then let her who was winging and cold go indoors and told my Mum who I had forgotten about that she was excused tap duty.

Put all the covers on had some warm soup and all females suitably warm I set off for home. I got 1 mile from my mums (where the boat is stored) and remembered that I had not pumped out the shower water tank. Told my now warm wife this and the look on her face said it all. So ignoring that look I turned round, Got my wife to wriggle under the tarp, Put the battery back on and we pumped out the water tank via the whale pump.

And yes she remembered to turn off the battery and fuel.

Now sitting by a log fire with a mulled wine.................................. The joys of boating

Dennis

[Ianfs]

I could be shot down in flames with my reply but although I would rather fog the engine, there are times when it is not as important, here's why. Most marine grade oils have additives which help them to be a bit more sticky than non marine oils, used in lawn mowers, classic/vintage cars etc. Plus if you keep your boat on dry land in a sheltered position, dampness is less than maybe if the boat is out in the open by or on the sea.

Consequently, if you miss fogging the engine it may not be as bad as you might be advised. I would say, make sure you block out all the intakes and outlets, i.e. tape up the flame arrestor with masking tape, block off exhaust ports and any moist air into the engine.

You can also buy absorbent crystals to put into the boat or even some salt in a bowel, although salt even though its in a bowl can be corrosive. Something like this...........

Starbrite No Damp

[Bigplumbs]

I could actually still fog the engine. I could run it up dry and quickly spray in the fogging spray I suppose.

Dennis

[Ianfs]

Yes you could but if you do that you'll have to run more anti freeze in too.

[Ianfs]

Sorry Dennis, just read your post again.

When you say run it up dry, ..........no no no!!

You'll bugger the impeller.

Fogging doesn't take long though. If you mixed some more anti freeze and ran the engine, you'll need to suck in some oil, with a few squirts then a full squirt until it stalls.

[Bigplumbs]

What about if I run it up on the muffs with water on and then fogg as you suggest quickly this way the thermostat wont open and I will keep all the antifreeze in the engine.

Or I could just say sod it to the fogging process or just take out the plugs one at a time and squirt a little in each cylinder.

When you look on the net there are just as many people that don't fog as do.

I do think I will put some of the moisture collecting chemicals in the tubs though in the engine bay

Dennis

[Bigplumbs]

These are the water absorbing units I have used in the past. 3 of these in the engine bay wont do any harm. They work quite well and are not expensive

Heck these 4 stroke inboards are far more of a pain than my nice 2 stroke outties

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321924438061

[Ianfs]

If you run the engine on muffs, regardless of whether the thermostat is open or closed, it will weaken the anti freeze mixture, even running it to plain water.

Therefore, either you leave the fogging and block off all the possibilities for damp air to infiltrate the engine..............

Or, you do all the anti freezing over again and fog the engine.

[shibbs]

Dennis, I hate to say it, but, I'm a firm believer of do it once do it properly. Now, I'm Fully aware that our winters aren't that harsh but... Would you take this chance, ... I wouldn't. Therefore, my routine, and don't get me wrong, apart from a lot of advice from the old man and others and so on I know no better but...
I service the engine, then run up to full Temperature, for no other reason than to give a good flush through and to raise to temp, then , turn fuel off and time
How long to stop. A couple
Of times for a good realistic time. Then, fill a tub under the drive leg with anti freeze and drive until it is full, . I.e. Until it is running back into the tub, and then time it right to drive it till anti freeze is about to run dry of fuel and then Fog fully with fogging oil. This will
Ensure the carb won't dry with crap fuel, but, will ensure that the cylinders etc are full of fog oil and that the cooling system is full of anti freeze. It works for me.
On top of this is anti freeze in the fresh water system etc...