Winterizing

8122pbrainard wrote: Why did you add the garden hose connections? Certainly not with the intent of winterizing!!! If so, you are being misdirected.

I disagree, Pete. I always run on the hose when I winterize. How else would you fog down the throat of the carb?

I always follow by draining and refilling, of course.

Tim D wrote: Just sucking up antifreeze wont work. If the T stat is closed, you'll just pump antifreeze out the exhaust.

Not true. The thermostat controls the flow of water OUT of the intake, not in. If empty, the block,heads and intake will fill with fluid as soon as you introduce it via the circ pump, regardless of whether the engine is up to temp or not. This is one reason why you can pour antifreeze in at any temperature.

Still, I think the suck up/ recycle method is silly and overcomplicated.

The primary reason I added the garden hose connections was to be able run the boat on the trailer before putting it into the lake for the summer - avoid unpleasant surprises on the boat ramp. The marina I had winterize the boat last fall has an "antifreeze tank" in which they run inboards to winterize them. I made the leap of faith that I could accomplish the same thing using the garden hose connections. However it sounds like that may not be the best approach.

Just sucking up antifreeze wont work. If the T stat is closed, you'll just pump antifreeze out the exhaust. I do the recycle method, I catch what's coming out and recycle it until it gets very warm. Then take a hose loose and check the freezing point on what's inside the block. If you're using the pumping method, just remember the antifreeze will mix with the water that's already in the block, so don't add a bunch of water to it. Another way is take the thermostat out, and take a hose off that is low on the block and back fill with antifreeze into the intake at the t stat until the antifreeze push out the water from the disconnected hose. This might not work of some "plumbing" configurations.

Unfortunately in northern Indiana it's time to put away the boat      We've a 1972 Martinique with the 318 Chrysler. This spring I added garden hose connections so that part is ready to go. My question are (1) What is the best recipe for winterizing antifreeze? (2) I assume I mix it up in containers and pull from those into the engine? (3) How much do I need to suck in to be confident the engine is protected? Thanks!