www.iFourWinns.com

Can I get a confirmation that I winterized my engines correctly? Twin 4.3l TBI Volvo Pentas (1997 Model Year).

I removed both block drains, port and starboard sides of the engines. I stuck a coat hanger up there, and water gushed out - probably a gallon or more, each side of the block. I then re-coat hangered it. No more water came out.

I then removed the hoses on the front of my manifolds. Water gushed out of each manifold.

I then removed the big fat hose on the front of the engine, that goes down to the circulating pump. More water came out.

I removed both lines from the engine mounted raw water pump (the one that houses the impellers).

I took the hose that goes to back towards the transom and poured -100f anti-freeze in it until it came out of the outdrive, on each engine.

I then poured -100f antifreeze into the big fat hose until purple anti-freeze came out of the engine block drains.

I removed the vapor separator tank hose from the t-stat housing and blew into it. I heard liquid going into the bilge, at the rear of the engine. I blew into it until it was clear.

<<Whew>>. Did I forget anything - sound like I did everything correctly?

I noticed a square plug on the front of the intake manifold - do I need to remove that too?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

I recall reading somewhere that the plug you mentioned should be removed. The older ones like mine don't have that plug. The rest sounds fine.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

How about the drain plugs at the back of your exhaust manifolds?
Other than that it sounds like you have the engine covered.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Does your water heater hose attache to your manifolds? Did you remove that as well.

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

T-80,
The plug on the front of the intake manifold needs to be removed. You won't get much water out, but it could be enough in there to cause a problem. I remove it, the ones on the back of the exhaust manifolds and the block plugs and leave them out for the winter. I leave the hoses disconnected as well. Oh, one last thought, I also remove the bracket that stabilizes the raw water pump and rotate it down to dump the water out of it too.

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1999 180 Horizon LS 4.3 L GL Volvo SX
1994 Powerstroke
2002 Jeep Wrangler
not@work.gon
Happiness is an Empty Boat Trailer!!!

Ok Thanks for all the replies!!

I went out tonight and removed the plug from the front of the intake manifolds on each engine.

I had to remove the t-stat housing to get at it SOoooooo while I was in there, with the intake manifold plug removed AND the t-stat housing off, I poured -100f anti-freeze into the intake manifold until it came out of the plug in the front AND the block drains.

Noteworthy observation: When I removed the t-stat housing, the intake manifold DID have -100f antifreeze in it already. Probably from when I flushed the block out by pouring it through the thermostat housing I guess? Either way, I was already in there and wanted to be "sure" it wasnt diluted with a bunch of water so thats why I decided to flush it out with what ever -100f antifreeze I had left....

I then got out, and lowered the trailer jack as low as it would go - this tilted the engines forward so whatever -100f was left in there came out.

Im going to call this one a wrap!! (we really need a "thumbs up" smiley on the forums) lol

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Glad we got em done, not that putting them away for the winter is a good thing, but...

_________________
1999 180 Horizon LS 4.3 L GL Volvo SX
1994 Powerstroke
2002 Jeep Wrangler
not@work.gon
Happiness is an Empty Boat Trailer!!!