Boat Winterization

[Mike Harry]

I prefer fogging mine with good ole gasoline!!! at least once or twice a month 

[Joel]

Dan,

You wrote "I use Propylene glycol AUTOMOTIVE Antifreeze , NOT the pink RV stuff , Sierra / Low Tox - find it @ Tractor Supply , Ace can order it..."   So i have a couple of questions:

1.  Why cant we use the pink RV stuff???   The ingredients are Propylene Glycol along with some rust inhibitors, etc, and its good for -50 F..
2.  Is it permissable to forego fogging through the carb as long as you fog each cylinder via the spark plug hole??? 
The reason I ask is... you guessed it... I just put the pink stuff in my block and I wasnt fast enough to get the carb fogging done prior to the pink stuff getting sucked down 

Thanks

Joel

[Midskier]

Joel - you'll be good to go

the pink stuff - primarily available fro RV water systems - , drinking water, toilet systems etc
and not necessarily intended for marine engines........... will it work - of course it will,
I prefer using anti freeze intended to be used in Marine engines (and/or automotive engine applications)
Frigid guard, sierra, low tox - are propylene glycol - pet safe environmentally more friendly than ethylene glycol
oiling the cylinders through the spark plug holes is a much more labor intensive but will do the trick
no worries man the biggest dealio here is getting the WATER out b4 you add the antifreeze

[Joel]

Cool....  Got MOST of it out - ran the engine up to 160 F, opened both block drains, etc, closed her back up and then ran 5 gallons through the intake until pink stuff came out of the exhausts.  I think were good 

Unfortunately, Summer is officially over...   

[Midskier]

Joel have you done this b4?

if you got all of the water out b4 you sucked down the pink stuff
and after you ran it again pink was @ the exhaust - check both block drains for pink stuff too
(it will be there)

the only reason we run the engine to temp is to get the oil warm enough so it flows out fast
and to circulate the fuel stabilizer

[RonT]

Right now I wish I were doing some of these winterizations, if was 98 here yesterday!

[Joel]

Dan,

Yep I do my own winterizing, but had never used the RV stuff before.  I typically run the motor to temp to open the T-Stat prior to sucking up the anti-freeze and warm up the oil prior to changing it out...  I also spray the carb with fogger until she dies but had my son "helping" me and didnt get to it before all the pink stuff got sucked up.  I ALWAYS fog each cylinder as well     In the spring I usually get quite a bit of smoke while she burns off the fogging oil - I tell the neighbors I'm fogging for mosquitoes 

One thing I havent been able to do is change out the fuel/water filter - its low to the hull and its on TIGHT!   The last thing I want to do is rip it up or crush it and NOT be able to get it all the way off...  so far it hasnt been an issue, but I know I'm boating on borrowed time in that regard     Any suggestions on how to get the damn thing off would be helpful 

Ron,

Lucky you...  I had to stop skiing a MONTH ago...  September is usually VERY nice skiing - most put their boats away after Sept 1st - but this year it went straight to FALL at least 30 days early.   Renee and the kids wont go out if the water or air is too chilly - wimps 

[Mike Harry]

Joel, the fuel water seperator is only like $25 or $30 with the filter brand new (housing part and filter part) and the housing should be held on with a couple of bolts to the ski pole frame or at least thats where mine is mounted.

[Joel]

Thanks bro!  Mine is mounted to the port side stringer just in front of the engine.  I'll check it out at a marine supply AFTER I try multiple soakings in PB Blaster, etc...  I'll have a spare one on hand just in case I destroy it in the process.

[Mike Harry]

In fact I have not shipped that other trinket yet, I have a brand new one here I didn't use for another project if you want/need it.

[RonT]

When I get a stubborn fuel filter I cut the lines, unbolt it from the stringer, take it to the vise, & turn it off, I have a large vise & a 48" pipe wrench, its coming off...(don't use heat like a coon-ass did down here) Once off I take the housing to the wire wheel, & clean up the housing especially inside, once reconditioned you will change the filter every year just so you don't have to go through that again. (use plenty of oil on the gasket) 

[Joel]

Mike,   I appreciate the offer, but I think (HOPE) I'll be able to get it off via Ron's suggestion.  My local Marine Shop will let me use his vise & wire wheel.   I'll send ya an email if that doesnt work.

Ron,  As always - MUCH-O APPRECIATED-O      l wonder what happened to the coon-ass....  let me see, using HEAT on a fuel / water seperator...  common sense would dictate that it just might have some FUEL left in it...  Uhhhhmmmmm... did it BLOW UP??? 

[Mike Harry]

Well, it has officially dropped below 60 degrees here in central Florida. Its now time to winterize!!!!!!         

[Midskier]

it's below 60 here too, or 60 below, I think I can keep my wetsuit on the hanger til next spring

[Midskier]

it's almost that time of year again

Dan T