www.iFourWinns.com

This year i am on the fence weather to do it myself or have it done by the marina. It seems simple enough to do though i wasn't sure about where to get the proper fluids. Can i use regular automotive oils and filter? and where would be the best place to get an oil change pump? Any recommendations on which types are better? How much anti freeze should be run through the motor 1 gallon or more. Any other tips you guys have would be much appreciated. Thanks

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2006 Horizon 180 3.0 Volvo SOLD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The first thing you need to do is get an OE manufacturer's manual for your power package and do EXACTLY what it says...do not depend on what people say on an internet forum because it may not apply to your engine package...So go get the manual....and I'll bet you'll find out...that neither Volvo nor Merc recommend winterizing a raw water cooled I/O by using one of the suck Antifreeze up the drive kits...so don't do it that way...it can cause problems...I first put in Stabil my last run to mix it in....then on the water hose... run the motor nice and warm...change the motor oil (straight 30) and filter (Sierra Marine) then I run it again to check for leaks....if OK then fog the motor (carb only...FI you have to check)....let oil in drive unit start draining....then most important...make sure motor is leve...drain all drains...poke a screw in each hole make sure water comes out...remove raw water intake hose at thermo housing hold it down to drain..remove big hose on front mounted engine circulating pump to drain...Once it all drains....Re-connect the bottom end of front cirulating pump hose on water pump...start pouring AF in till it comes out engine drain plugs a little...then replace drain plugs (put some marine grease on em)...and then pour in AF till engine is full of AF (AF will come out thermo housing...then reconnect upper end of hose)...then fill each exhaust manifold through the hoses till a litttel AF runs out the drain hole...them replace plug and fill till it runs out out the exhaust...then re-connect those hoses and fill the raw water intake hose with AF..till it runs out the water intakes on the drive...then reconnect it to the thermo housing....the Volvo raw water pump may require additional steps thats why you need the manual. Finally I re-fill the sterndrive with new oil and check the old oil for water (milky appearance) if its fine I just store it in the garage for the winter (I check the bellows...gimble and ujoints and lube them after removing the drive)..if not I take the drive to the shop for a re-seal...Then I spray the engine down with Corrosion X or similar...I also replace the water separating fuel filter at this time...

so get a manual....and do just what it says...

Oil...what Volvo says....30 synthetic
filter....can be a regular filter if available for that engine
drive oil...whatever Volvo says
antifreeze..MUST be low tox...not car antifreeze...Marine/RV-100 to be on the safe side...the -50/60 stuff slushes up a too high a temp for my comfort level....-100 won't till more than 30 below....
and BTW you don't have to use AF...I like to because I feel it retards corrosion..but proper draining is sufficient....

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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

I have both manuals for my boat the volvo engine manual and the four winns manual. I looked through them yesterday and couldn't find anything specific on how to winterize other than bringing it to an authorized dealer. I have talked to a couple marinas and both say they run AF through the motor change engine and drive oils and fog the motor plus grease whats needs greasing. One place wants $250 and the other $150

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2006 Horizon 180 3.0 Volvo SOLD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Well it seems that they (engine manufacturer) wants you to have the dealer do it...I got an owners/operators manual with my old '88 OMC and I followed the steps in that...and had no problems...that's how I do it each year...I bet if you had the Volvo workshop manual (not just the owners manual but the one that is written for mechanics) it would give you the steps....and as for the dealers running AF through to winterize it...shame on them they are lazy and not following the engine manufacturer's procedures...the only kind of engine that's OK to winterize that way is one with closed cooling to winterize the raw water side (heat exchanger)....

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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

Lou,

Even for a fresh water boat, don't you think it's worth the one off expense (exept that of the small anode; which I now cast myselt using the remains onf other anodes!) of fitting closed cooling? It's so easy to winterise it, very few opportunities for mistakes?

Graham

Yes for sure it's worth it...cast iron rusts even in freshwater and although it takes years before it will rust through it still reduces cooling efficiency....and not having to pull out drain plugs...have manifolds last the life of the engine....and only have to worry about the heat exchanger and raw water pump and risers...well worth it...
The only reason why I do not have it is this was an old engine when I got it and it would have clogged the heat exchanger....but if I ever repowered this one for sure I'd add it...

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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

http://www.selocmarine.com winterizing ya it's in there.

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Mike
2007 Horizon 200 SS
5.0 GXi SX drive.

Wow. What a wasste that was. I bought the online subscription and all I see is a list of actions, but no detail on how to do them. NO diagrams or images. Unless I am looking at it wrong, this subscription just plain SUCKS and is worthless. I can find the list of "recommended things to do for winter" with a 5 second google query. What a ripoff. I do not recommend this at all, pure garbage. I am asking for a refund.