Winterization question

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by JADAQ

Why don’t you just remove the 4 drain plugs and call it good? Engine is drained once you do that.

I have the same year motor, do it every year without issue.

Coolant is a waste of time and money.

No you're not fully drained... there are 5 plugs not 4. At least on a V6 or V8. I believe the 4 cylinder has 2

[Dtodt223]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

No you're not fully drained... there are 5 plugs not 4. At least on a V6 or V8. I believe the 4 cylinder has 2

Where's the 5th? I only found 4 on mine.

[Formula260SS]

Originally Posted by Dtodt223

Where's the 5th? I only found 4 on mine.

fuel cooler on a 7.4

[JADAQ]

Where are you located? I can come help if you want.

We are talking a 1989 boat here correct?

2 plugs on each side of mine, one on the bottom of the exhaust manifold and one on the block . Total of 4 plugs.

Where is the 5th plug?

[Descant]

Originally Posted by JADAQ

Where are you located? I can come help if you want.

We are talking a 1989 boat here correct?

2 plugs on each side of mine, one on the bottom of the exhaust manifold and one on the block . Total of 4 plugs.

Where is the 5th plug?

It's been decades since I did this stuff. Isn't there one on the bottom of the water pump?
Using antifreeze is a relatively new idea to me. Maybe 20 years ago my marina started putting AF into the block and then reinstalling the drain plugs. The idea was that everything was all set for the winter, and in the spring there was no need to pay/hire a mechanic to reinstall the plugs. Just connect the battery, start and go. The cost of AF was cheaper than the second hour for the mechanic, and the spring scheduling was quicker.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Dtodt223

Where's the 5th? I only found 4 on mine.

One on each side of the block, one on the bottom of each intake manifold, one that is located on the hose that is attached to the water pump, at the lowest point there is an inline plastic elbow with a drain plug in it. 5 total. If you do not have that elbow with the drain in it then that low spot will not drain. Now one of two things is possible, this elbow insert was an adaptation that was added by the MFG to all later models or somebody replaced the entire thing with a single hose that may or may not drain completely.

Either way - I'd make darn sure there was no water sitting in that over the winter if there is no drain present. Easy enough to just pop that hose and drain it.

The only reason why I would favor backfilling with antifreeze is to remedy any areas that do not completely drain using this as a prime example.

[Dtodt223]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

One on each side of the block, one on the bottom of each intake manifold, one that is located on the hose that is attached to the water pump, at the lowest point there is an inline plastic elbow with a drain plug in it. 5 total. If you do not have that elbow with the drain in it then that low spot will not drain. Now one of two things is possible, this elbow insert was an adaptation that was added by the MFG to all later models or somebody replaced the entire thing with a single hose that may or may not drain completely.

Either way - I'd make darn sure there was no water sitting in that over the winter if there is no drain present. Easy enough to just pop that hose and drain it.

The only reason why I would favor backfilling with antifreeze is to remedy any areas that do not completely drain using this as a prime example.

so are you saying on the bottom of here? Wasn't mentioned anywhere when I was reading up.

[MAXUM]

On the other side right next to the fuel\water separator. Pretty hard to miss IF it's there. I would be very concerned that if it isn't the water pump housing would not fully be evacuated of water and the bottom of that hose would have a pocket of water that will freeze and damage the hose. It's in the largest diameter hose.

Below vid shows where they all are. I am fairly certain these are in the same locations on the V8 as well as the V6. Shown in the video is the V6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVyOG0Fw7AA

[Dtodt223]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

On the other side right next to the fuel\water separator. Pretty hard to miss IF it's there. I would be very concerned that if it isn't the water pump housing would not fully be evacuated of water and the bottom of that hose would have a pocket of water that will freeze and damage the hose. It's in the largest diameter hose.

Below vid shows where they all are. I am fairly certain these are in the same locations on the V8 as well as the V6. Shown in the video is the V6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVyOG0Fw7AA

Is that coming right off the hose? I know I took that hose off and used it as a funnel for the block portion so it's either empty of full of AF.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Dtodt223

Is that coming right off the hose? I know I took that hose off and used it as a funnel for the block portion so it's either empty of full of AF.

Yes it is - if you look I just took a pic for you of the drain plug (blue) on the lower part of the hose right next to the fuel filter (hard to see because it's white). This is in the hose (largest) running from the top of the block into the water pump. You will see the hose clamps right where the hose breaks as makes about a 45 degree direction change and that is where the plastic elbow insert is and the drain is built into that plastic insert. Again based on the location being the lowest point in the hose this will evacuate all the water from this area. If you do not have a drain there and are not taking it off or backfilling the system with antifreeze this area will contain raw water that will freeze.

FYI this is a 2003 4.3L V6

Does that help better illustrate the location?

It's a little embarrassing - my bilge is not as clean as it should be - I need to clean it!

[Dtodt223]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Yes it is - if you look I just took a pic for you of the drain plug (blue) on the lower part of the hose right next to the fuel filter (hard to see because it's white). This is in the hose (largest) running from the top of the block into the water pump. You will see the hose clamps right where the hose breaks as makes about a 45 degree direction change and that is where the plastic elbow insert is and the drain is built into that plastic insert. Again based on the location being the lowest point in the hose this will evacuate all the water from this area. If you do not have a drain there and are not taking it off or backfilling the system with antifreeze this area will contain raw water that will freeze.

FYI this is a 2003 4.3L V6

Does that help better illustrate the location?

It's a little embarrassing - my bilge is not as clean as it should be - I need to clean it!

I 100% do not have that on my old '89, but I know my water pump got filled and flushed with AF anyways as well as that hose.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Dtodt223

I 100% do not have that on my old '89, but I know my water pump got filled and flushed with AF anyways as well as that hose.

Ya good call - to me having antifreeze sitting in the engine block over the winter just makes me sleep better at night. Cheap insurance is what I say.