What's the right way to winterize ???

**pap** · 10-03-2011, 08:01 PM

How do you pressurize the RV fluid so the lower unit pulles the fluid into the lower unit pump? Do you use the water muffs or what ? Any info would be great, just might get far enough to fire the old girl up this weekend !!

**Bryan** · 10-03-2011, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by pap

How do you pressurize the RV fluid so the lower unit pulles the fluid into the lower unit pump? Do you use the water muffs or what ? Any info would be great, just might get far enough to fire the old girl up this weekend !!

I use a bilge pump mounted in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket, alligator clips wired from the pump...just hook it to any battery.
A length of hose from the bilge pump connected to the muff and you're in buisness!!

Hope this helps!!

**pap** · 10-04-2011, 05:29 AM

That makes total sence to me, I just couldn't figure out how to get the RV fliud into the lower unit under pressure, you are a blessing. Thank you, I had a long no fishing season, but it's all comming together now. The walleye will be in trouble next year!!!!!

**Bryan** · 10-04-2011, 01:44 PM

Glad that I could help!

**Hoss928** · 10-05-2011, 09:53 PM

I will be building a setup. I've actually considered a tub big enough to lower the outdrive down in to and filling it with anti freeze. Then let my friends with boats come over and use it.

**gregnwtf** · 10-11-2011, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by Hoss928

I will be building a setup. I've actually considered a tub big enough to lower the outdrive down in to and filling it with anti freeze. Then let my friends with boats come over and use it.

I run my engine with the hose on the mick mouse ears to warm up and open the thermostat. I add a " Y" to the hose by the MM ears. this "y" goes up to a 5 gallon bucket the is full of marine antifreeze. With two valves and some vinyl hose and fittings, put a hole on the bottom of the bucket. Put a valve on the water hose to stop the water and open the valve for the bucket of pick stuff , let it suck it all in , all while the engine is running. Pink stuff is gone and shut the engine off. This would be the last thing to do after the oil is changed and etc. Been doing it this way for over 10 years. Never a problem and its too easy.
I have heard of the little tub method but I think it would be alot of antifreeze to fill the tub and cover the water pump inlet. My method take less than 30 minutes or so to do the antifreeze part, with no mess and no tuff hoses to pull off. Did it that way a few times till I figured this method out.

**dan scott** · 10-13-2011, 02:59 PM

An easier way is to open the petcocks on the block ( there should be 2 ) and let the block drain completely. Then, close the petcocks. Disconnect 2 of the water hoses ( 1 goes into the water pump ) and just pour your anti-freeze right into the block until it is full. I have 4 cylinder Ford block and if I recall correctly, it holds about 1 1/2 gallons of anti-freeze. That's better than just draining the block and leaving it. You will get some rust in there over the winter if you don't put the anti-freeze in. Also, if you have to leave your boat outside over the winter, you should leave the outdrive all the way down, so you don't get water/melted snow and then ice in there.