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2004 Sunsetter New Owner-Winter Advice Request


Sluggo0018

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Hello everyone.  Just bought a 2004 Sunsetter 21 XTI with the 340 Monsoon.  This boat does not have a heater or shower, so I don't need to worry about those.  This is my first attempt at winterization.  I've watched a lot of videos about how to do it and worked on it yesterday.  I removed the two block drain plugs, one on each side and go good flow after poking a small screwdriver into the drain holes,  removed the J hose, bilge plugs, and I attempted to remove the drain plugs in the exhaust manifolds.  From the videos I watched, I was expecting the plug to accept a 1/2 inch square drive ratchet, but there is actually a hex or Torx head plug in the manifold.  I couldn' budge it with my Channelocks.  Does anyone know what size these plugs typically are?  I hadn't brought those tools with me, so I removed the rubber hoses from the Tee fittings below the manifolds and allowed them to drain through that opening.  Would that be acceptable?  

Also, I do not see a way to remove the cooler lines at the transmission.  There just is no room.  I cannot even get in a position to see where the starboard side cooler line connects.  For the one I can see, there is no room to swing a wrench.  Is it acceptable to disconnect the two cooler lines at the engine side and blow air through one of the lines to remove any water?  I could use a shop vac or compressor at low pressure if needed.  Here is a pic of where I propose to remove the lines.

After researching, it didn't seem to make sense to me to try to use a Fake a Lake system to try to fill the systems with antifreeze.  Unless I get the thermostat up to 160 F, I believe that I will just be sending the antifreeze out the exhaust manifolds, bypassing the engine block.  Is that correct?  Does anyone remove the thermostat to get antifreeze into the engine block?

Finally, how do I insert pics into my post?  Do they need to be hosted by an outside website?  I don't see a link to insert an image directly.

I appreciate any and all advice about winterizing the proper way.  Thanks.

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4 hours ago, Sluggo0018 said:

Hello everyone.  Just bought a 2004 Sunsetter 21 XTI with the 340 Monsoon.  This boat does not have a heater or shower, so I don't need to worry about those.  This is my first attempt at winterization.  I've watched a lot of videos about how to do it and worked on it yesterday.  I removed the two block drain plugs, one on each side and go good flow after poking a small screwdriver into the drain holes,  removed the J hose, bilge plugs, and I attempted to remove the drain plugs in the exhaust manifolds.  From the videos I watched, I was expecting the plug to accept a 1/2 inch square drive ratchet, but there is actually a hex or Torx head plug in the manifold.  I couldn' budge it with my Channelocks.  Does anyone know what size these plugs typically are?  I hadn't brought those tools with me, so I removed the rubber hoses from the Tee fittings below the manifolds and allowed them to drain through that opening.  Would that be acceptable?  Yes 

Also, I do not see a way to remove the cooler lines at the transmission.  There just is no room.  I cannot even get in a position to see where the starboard side cooler line connects.  For the one I can see, there is no room to swing a wrench.  Is it acceptable to disconnect the two cooler lines at the engine side and blow air through one of the lines to remove any water?  I could use a shop vac or compressor at low pressure if needed.  Here is a pic of where I propose to remove the lines. No water in these lines only transmission oil, nothing to do here.

After researching, it didn't seem to make sense to me to try to use a Fake a Lake system to try to fill the systems with antifreeze.  Unless I get the thermostat up to 160 F, I believe that I will just be sending the antifreeze out the exhaust manifolds, bypassing the engine block.  Is that correct? Yes, some swear by antifreeze others don’t , but if you use antifreeze you have to make sure you get the water out of the block, make a mistake here and it could be bad.   Does anyone remove the thermostat to get antifreeze into the engine block? Some people do this, some just make sure the block is drained , no water no freeze. 

Finally, how do I insert pics into my post?  Do they need to be hosted by an outside website?  I don't see a link to insert an image directly. To post pictures first need to join as a paying member (well worth it) or link the photo from an outside website host

I appreciate any and all advice about winterizing the proper way.  Thanks.

 

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5 hours ago, Sluggo0018 said:

Hello everyone.  Just bought a 2004 Sunsetter 21 XTI with the 340 Monsoon.  This boat does not have a heater or shower, so I don't need to worry about those.  This is my first attempt at winterization.  I've watched a lot of videos about how to do it and worked on it yesterday.  I removed the two block drain plugs, one on each side and go good flow after poking a small screwdriver into the drain holes,  removed the J hose, bilge plugs, and I attempted to remove the drain plugs in the exhaust manifolds.  From the videos I watched, I was expecting the plug to accept a 1/2 inch square drive ratchet, but there is actually a hex or Torx head plug in the manifold.  I couldn' budge it with my Channelocks.  Does anyone know what size these plugs typically are?  I hadn't brought those tools with me, so I removed the rubber hoses from the Tee fittings below the manifolds and allowed them to drain through that opening.  Would that be acceptable?  

Also, I do not see a way to remove the cooler lines at the transmission.  There just is no room.  I cannot even get in a position to see where the starboard side cooler line connects.  For the one I can see, there is no room to swing a wrench.  Is it acceptable to disconnect the two cooler lines at the engine side and blow air through one of the lines to remove any water?  I could use a shop vac or compressor at low pressure if needed.  Here is a pic of where I propose to remove the lines.

After researching, it didn't seem to make sense to me to try to use a Fake a Lake system to try to fill the systems with antifreeze.  Unless I get the thermostat up to 160 F, I believe that I will just be sending the antifreeze out the exhaust manifolds, bypassing the engine block.  Is that correct?  Does anyone remove the thermostat to get antifreeze into the engine block?

Finally, how do I insert pics into my post?  Do they need to be hosted by an outside website?  I don't see a link to insert an image directly.

I appreciate any and all advice about winterizing the proper way.  Thanks.

Your exhaust manifolds should have a hose that connects the two with something that looks like a garden hose fitting. That is what you undo instead of removing the plugs on the manifolds. If that’s the “tee” that you undid, then you’re good.
 

Lots of discussion on using antifreeze, after I drain everything I don’t add any. Some folks do to keep corrosion down, but I never have and my engine is doing fine. 

To post a pic, either become a paying member or cut and paste the link from an outside hosting site.

Congrats on the new boat!

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39 minutes ago, BlindSquirrel said:

Your exhaust manifolds should have a hose that connects the two with something that looks like a garden hose fitting. That is what you undo instead of removing the plugs on the manifolds. If that’s the “tee” that you undid, then you’re good.
 

Lots of discussion on using antifreeze, after I drain everything I don’t add any. Some folks do to keep corrosion down, but I never have and my engine is doing fine. 

To post a pic, either become a paying member or cut and paste the link from an outside hosting site.

Congrats on the new boat!

Does a 2004 have that?

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I also blow a shop vac thru the engine with all plugs removed at the tranny cooler inlet, then vacuum all the drain points. I also vacuum residual water out of the mufflers.  If you want the add antifreeze, remove a plug on the intake manifold and pour it in there with a funnel. This by-passes the stat. 

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