Antifreeze for Winterization...

[Boomer]

Sounds like a cool procedure, TJP. I might try that myself.

Except if you're circulating coolant so long, why bother with draining the block?

[TJP]

Not draining the block will allow that residual water to simply drain into the 'exhaust bin' and dillute the circulating A/F. Although, I agree in that it's probably not enough of a dillution to worry about. I plan to check the A/F left in the bin afterwards anyway, just to see what degree of protection I can expect in the block.

I am anal about winterization (read: I do a few buddies boats that sit relatively unprotected outside). I use the green automotive stuff at a 70/30 mixture. IMHO, the pink RV stuff provides no corrosive protection. Great for plastic plumbing, not for my engine.

[Chauncemaster]

I'm trying something new this year, something most marinas do when winterizing their floatila of I/O's.  After completing the usual tune up and fluid change, I plan to use a bildge pump and the Flush Pro to run antifreeze through the engine:

- drain block, manifolds etc. as usual

- place large plastic bin filled with some A/F under exhaust ports

- stick bildge pump in 'exhaust bin' with 10' garden hose that connects to Flush Pro

- power up the pump so A/F is being pushed up to the Flush Pro

- run engine for 10-15 minutes to let A/F circulate through all (including heater & shower), all the while re-collecting the recycled A/F in the 'exhaust bin'

- Bottle up the unused A/F for use during next season's winterizing ritual

Painless.  Atleast, it seems to be when I see it done at the local marina.  Yes, it will use alittle more A/F overall, but it's worth it for my peace of mind.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is basically the same as what I do except I use the red stuff in a big bucket on the swim platform and use a spare bilge/fat sac pump to pump it directly into the flush pro. I flush for a while beforehand with water to get the temp up and then pump through enough antifreeze that dilution should not be a problem. One bonus is that it winterizes my heater at the same time as the engine.