getting ready to winterize

Sounds good, thanks Ken and HW.

flyweed wrote: Ok guys, winterized my 93 today, and have a couple questions. 1. on the raw water strainer...how the HELL do you get the screw off "cup" off and back on? mine did come off with some effort, but it felt like the threads were super sticky, and I can't be sure I got it screwed back on tight enough to seat the rubber O ring. Can I put some grease or something on the plastic threads to make removal and re-installation easier? 2. I unbolted the raw water pump and pulled the back off to inspect the impeller. It looked like new. BUT...I can't remember what way is up and what way is down on the pump to bolt it back onto the engine. Any help would be great.

I used a bit of petroleum jelly on both sets of threads. Works great.

JQ

Thanks..that helps alot.

One other question. I topped off my gas tank, and I thought when the tank got full I'd see gas come out the little chrome "vent" next to the fill port. BUT, when I got full gas would gurgle and spit out the FILL port where I had the gas nozzle insert.... Any thoughts?

how do I check the vent..just blow into it? or should I remove seat back, and disconnect vent hose??

I have to fill carefully too, go slow as it gets full, or it kicks back out the fuel fill.

You really don't want to fill to the point where it flows out your vent. Yes, you definitely want to verify that your vent is working, I guess I'd start by blowing some air in the fill and seeing if you feel air coming out the vent, easier than pulling things apart to look.

I asssume you are worried that your tank needs to be full to the brim for winter storage. Lots of differing opinions on this, and do a search and you'll find the comments easily. I'm not a believer in it, just stabilize the gas and leave it, I'd rather be adding fresh gas in the spring to a tank left fairly empty rather than having a full tank of stale old gas to burn off in the spring. Like I said, lots of opinions both ways on this, but I'd say it's the least important of all your winterizing decisions.

yep, I just confirmed my vent is free as well. I removed gas cap, and blew into it, and air easily came rushing out through the vent. Guess I'll just have to fill slower.

I would flush it a 3-4 times first (running between each flush with water directly going to RWP) and then run it briefly to see if the problem persists before ordering a new cooler. The water post cooler just keeps from reintroducing more water IF the cooler is the problem. I would want to make sure I get all the milk out first so it is definitive the cooler is the problem and not just remixing of the old stuff. Though, this method would get expensive with all the wasted ATF if the cooler ends up being the problem.

Cooler is probably fine. If the bilge has ever been flooded water can enter the transmission. It'll stay there too because it's more dense than ATF.

so, since the engine is completely winterized now, do I "un-winterize" it now and start the engine up, and work on this..or drain and change out the transmission again, and let it go until spring?   

How does one pressure test the cooler? I don't really have the tools necessary to do a pressure test (I don't think)

Dan,
Running the engine to circulate the ATF would be a good idea but don't drain the engine.. I'd pull the belt off the RWP and start the engine for about a minute then change the ATF. If you still get pink, do it again. You don't want water sitting in the trans over winter.

I didn't mean to scare you about pressure testing the trans cooler! But, as Joe mentioned it's not a major project. I prefer to pressurize the oil side because of the threaded fittings. A trip to the auto supply will get you fixed up with a couple fittings to plug one end and get some compressed air in the other. After you pump it up with air (about 20 PSI) stick it in a bucket of water and look for bubbles.

+100

Use a long tube than can't drop to the bottom!

Yesterday was yesterday. Today is today.

Fluid looks fine

LOL..Ok Ok, After re-reading my last post..I realize that was a bit confusing!   Anyway, the fluid in the above pic was after running my engine for 1 minute, with no water pump running. should I change it out again, or ????

should I flush another time and add new fluid..or call it good?

From the picture, it still looks like it has a milky tint to it. I'd run the engine again and do one more ATF change.