First Year Winterization Issues

[dirtysparks]

I've read through the winterization guide on the site linked by pistol pete, but had a few specific questions/issues regarding the vdrive and transmission.

First year owning 2001 wakesetter vlx.

First the vdrive, I have two drain plugs that absolutely will not budge. I've now rounded off the head because they are brass. Any ideas getting them out? I've disconnected the exit hose from the vdrive, will this suffice or do I need to get those plugs out? They seem to be at the same level as the drain hose so I'm unsure.

Now the transmission. I see two hoses coming off the exit hose a ways after the sea pump that lead into the transmission. I can't find a drain anywhere on the tranny, do I just disconnect the hoses?

Thanks

[Baddog]

I've read through the winterization guide on the site linked by pistol pete, but had a few specific questions/issues regarding the vdrive and transmission.

First year owning 2001 wakesetter vlx.

First the vdrive, I have two drain plugs that absolutely will not budge. I've now rounded off the head because they are brass. Any ideas getting them out? I've disconnected the exit hose from the vdrive, will this suffice or do I need to get those plugs out? They seem to be at the same level as the drain hose so I'm unsure.

Now the transmission. I see two hoses coming off the exit hose a ways after the sea pump that lead into the transmission. I can't find a drain anywhere on the tranny, do I just disconnect the hoses?

Thanks

Are you trying to drain water out of the tranny or drain the tranny fluid? Assuming fluid as there shouldn't be any water in it. Most people drain the fluid by using some kind of a pump to suck it out. I have a little pump that attaches to my 3/8' drive drill. I drain the fuid into a milk container then I fill a second (very clean and dry) milk container with the exact amount of fluid that I removed and pour it in. This method will leave a little bit of old fluid in the tranny, but so far that has never hurt anything. Removing the lines could lead to leaks at the fittings so I don't even think to remove those.

[Baddog]

I've read through the winterization guide on the site linked by pistol pete, but had a few specific questions/issues regarding the vdrive and transmission.

First year owning 2001 wakesetter vlx.

First the vdrive, I have two drain plugs that absolutely will not budge. I've now rounded off the head because they are brass. Any ideas getting them out? I've disconnected the exit hose from the vdrive, will this suffice or do I need to get those plugs out? They seem to be at the same level as the drain hose so I'm unsure.

Now the transmission. I see two hoses coming off the exit hose a ways after the sea pump that lead into the transmission. I can't find a drain anywhere on the tranny, do I just disconnect the hoses?

Thanks

I forgot, on the stripped drain plugs: you will be reduced to using a pair of vise grips, channel locks of pipe wrench to get it out now. I would soak it liberally with PB Blaster for several minutes to help break it loose.

[dirtysparks]

Thanks, I'm following the water lines from bottom to top trying to get all of the water out or everything.

I'm speaking of the lines off of the raw water pump hose that lead into the transmission. It looks like it runs water through the tranny to cool it?

[snowrider]

Paul from Bakes just gave me detail on this last week. You can drain the transmission cooler by either the two drain plugs closest to the gas tank or by taking of the hose that feeds from the raw water intake. My drain plugs worked but if was a tight fit between the gas tank. Hope that helps.

[dirtysparks]

Paul from Bakes just gave me detail on this last week. You can drain the transmission cooler by either the two drain plugs closest to the gas tank or by taking of the hose that feeds from the raw water intake. My drain plugs worked but if was a tight fit between the gas tank. Hope that helps.

Ok, I removed the hose from the transmission cooler. Do the two lines off of the transmission cooler carry water or tranny fluid? I'll look for the drain between the gas tank and transmission.

Man, those two plugs on the vdrive are a b****. Vice grip keeps slipping because of the limited space. I just ran out to get a small channel lock, hopefully that will fit and do the trick. I've got a pic of some green gunk I dug out of the tranny cooler I'll have to post up later.

Thanks.

[dirtysparks]

Ok, so crap. No way I'm getting the plugs off the vdrive, those suckers are S-T-U-C-K. What are my options? Is removing the hose sufficient? It seems to be even with the drain plugs, so I'd think I'd be ok. I may try to shop-vac it out and dump some antifreeze in there. Any ideas welcomed.

Thanks

[Baddog]

To remove the plugs, get some PB Blaster. It rally works to loosen over tight bolts. And, at this point I am thinking you are only going to move those bad boys with a pipe wrench.

Edited October 4, 2009 by Baddog

[dirtysparks]

To remove the plugs, get some PB Blaster. It rally works to loosen over tight bolts. And, at this point I am thinking you are only going to move those bad boys with a pipe wrench.

Ok, I'll try the pb blaster. I had some liquid wrench, but that didn't seem to do much. I was looking for a small pipe wrench, but didn't find one at lowes and ended up with a small channel lock. The end of that plug is looking pretty mangled at this point

I may just have to take it to the dealer to see if they can unstuck it. Otherwise I'll have to reconnect everything and suck antifreeze through, I'd imagine...just to be on the safe side.

Thanks again.

Edited October 5, 2009 by dirtysparks

[Marine Specialty]

If you have both lines off the v-drive I would take your shop vac and suck the little bit of water that is in there out not much more than half a cup or so. If you think you need more pour a little antifreeze in will not hurt anyways. The trany does not have water in it the two line carry oil thur the cooler to cool oil. You want to make sure that you drain the cooler.

[MadDogMike]

Most people drain the fluid by using some kind of a pump to suck it out. I have a little pump that attaches to my 3/8' drive drill.

I have the same kind of pump, and it worked fine to pump out my engine oil. However, the same pump would not pull anything out of my transmission or V-drive. Any idea why, or any suggestions?

[Soon2BV]

ended up with a small channel lock.

Vice Grips are much better than channel locks for something like this.

Get the vice grip brand in the largest size that will fit the area.

Put them onto the bolt head, and tighten the screw to get a good grip.

Then remove them, tighten another 1/2 turn, and then put them back on.

This will assure you a tight grip.

[cla10beck]

The lines going from the tranny to the cooler carry transmission fluid, so there is no need to drain these. Just remove the hose entering the tranny cooler

[MadDogMike]

I have the same kind of pump, and it worked fine to pump out my engine oil. However, the same pump would not pull anything out of my transmission or V-drive. Any idea why, or any suggestions?

Anybody? Bueller, Bueller?

[NorCaliBu]

I have the same kind of pump, and it worked fine to pump out my engine oil. However, the same pump would not pull anything out of my transmission or V-drive. Any idea why, or any suggestions?

Anybody? Bueller, Bueller?

Drill was set on "reverse"? J/K

Hard to say without having been there. An air leak in the draw hose will keep the pump from priming. Did you check the impeller inside the pump, they go bad just like boat impellers (especially when they are used for petroleum products). And although I said it "tongue-in-cheek" the drill really could have been turning the wrong way or maybe you had the discharge hose in the tranny instead of the pick-up hose? Where you enjoying some frosty-cold adult beverages while doing this?