www.iFourWinns.com

Posted this on another forum but I didnt get much input, figured I would post it here too..

Have a couple of questions about winterizing our boat. This past weekend I drained the block, wanted to make sure I didnt miss anything. I pulled the drain plugs on each side of the block, removed drain plugs on each manifold, removed the intake manifold drain(hardly any water came out of this), pulled the two hoses off of the raw water pump, and pulled the large hose off of the circulating pump. All holes were probed and plenty of water came out. Also fogged the engine. Missing anything?

Also, I plan on pulling the O/D off over the winter and checking the bellows+alignment. Ive got the service manual, but is there a kit you can buy for the seals and orings that are needed? There are 3 plugs you must remove to change the oil then what ever seals are needed to put the O/D back on. I want to replace those orings on the plugs for changing the oil also.

Where is the best place to find the mercruiser Hi Perf oil? Our walmart had one 8oz tube for $8. Manual states it takes 90oz. Ive never been able to find what weight the Merc High Perf oil is. Manual states our SX drive needs 75w-90. I really like the Merc Hi-Perf oil since it helps to protect if water gets in the O/D.

One last thing, were does everyone buy the adapter needed to screw into the O/D to pressure check it?

_________________
2007 Four Winns H180
4.3GL-G Volvo Penta SX

Firstly welcome to the forum,
Rule one post some pics(hehe)
Someone please chime in and help our freind out here

_________________
Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Thanks Ardy, I dont have any pics handy but Ill try to get some.

Would this get more attention if it were in the 'engine' thread? Whom ever can feel free to move it if it would.

_________________
2007 Four Winns H180
4.3GL-G Volvo Penta SX

You can buy the Merc Hi Perf Lube at West Marine by the quart or gallon. Mercury no longer discloses the viscosity of the lube.
It's 75W to 90W I'm sure.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Hi, New to boating this season, the marina I use do the following, but by what your planning I am sure you have covered these items:
Add gas stabilizer, Fog cylinders, Replace fuel water separator, Drain water from power steering cooler,Drain water from block of motor and fill with non toxic anti freeze, Change lower unit oil,Change fill and vent seals on drive,Grease all external fittings on outdrive, Clean flame arrestor, Check and top off all oil and fluid levels, Remove bilge from boat.Charge and disconnect batteries, and put damp always in to control mildew growth.

Hope this helps Ray
[url][URL=http://s1133.photobucket.com/albums/m591/cabwizard/?action=view&current=DSC_0166.jpg][/url][/url]

_________________
[url][/url]

I generally buy my outdrive lube from a local Merc marine dealer. Wal-Mart doesn't always have the right kind and I like supporting my local dealer even if it costs me $5 more total.

Make sure you use the right kind. There is High Performance gear lube and there is Premium gear lube. Alpha drives can use either, Bravo drives use High Perf. DO NOT mix them. If you have an Alpha and are using Premium, either stick with premium or thoroughly and completely drain the Premium out of the system before going to High Perf.

How to know which one you have?

Premium- brownish/caramel color
High Perf- blue-greenish color

_________________
Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Thanks cabwizard. About that power steering cooler, it says nothing in the volvo service manual about draining a power steering cooler. Ive seen this come up a few times but no one says how you go about draining it. The cooler is inline with the raw water coming from the lake, Ive taken the hose off of the raw water pump(plenty of water came out) so I do not know of any other way to drain the cooler.

The fill and vent seals on the drive, thats what Im talking about when I asked if they make a 'kit' that comes with those seals along with whatever other seals I need when I remove the out drive.

Thanks Pet575. I have noticed they make two different oils and will make sure I get the High performance. If we had a local dealers I would just buy it from them but no one local sells that besides the one tube of High Performance I found at walmart. Looks like Im gonna have to find it on the internet, been looking for the cheapest place.

Our boat has a Volvo SX drive so it will be ok with either oil. I still want the best though.

_________________
2007 Four Winns H180
4.3GL-G Volvo Penta SX

the parts catalogs I use on doug russel's website only go to 2001 for Volvo so I don't know if this the same as yours but this is what they show there....you'd have to remove the bottom water hose to drain it...
http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog ... ,3211,3195

_________________
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

Alright, I should be good then. The bottom hose is what goes into the raw water pump, which is one of 3 hoses that I removed.

_________________
2007 Four Winns H180
4.3GL-G Volvo Penta SX

If you have a VP outdrive it is highly recommended not using the merc lube. From 02 and up you should always use either Volvos synthetic gear lube or Mobil 1 synthetic 75w-90. The merc hi-performance is only a partial synthetic and will definitely not last as long as the correct lube.

_________________
Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

Then like Borchik says, you should be using Volvo Synthetic Oil, not Mercruiser. Any oil will work, but
I would not put Merc oil in a Volvo myself. I used the Volvo oil exclusively for 6 years in our 268.
It's worth the money for peace of mind.

Order it at Marine Parts Express, or from your closest FW/VP dealer.

If you insist on Merc Hi Perf Lube, please explain why for the benefit of others.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Ive always read very good things about the High Performance. It protects against water intrusion is the main reason I want it. This is the first time Ive heard of anyone saying NOT to use it. If were changing the gear oil every year Im not sure why using pure synthetic is so important.

_________________
2007 Four Winns H180
4.3GL-G Volvo Penta SX

You've got a Volvo, so you should use Volvo oil.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Ill see on the oil.

Does anyone know the part numbers for all of the seals needed when changing the oil(3 seals for that) and the seals needed when removing the O/D?

Ive been trying to find a parts break down with all of the part numbers but I cant find one. Volvo doesnt have one on their site(If they do I cant find it).

_________________
2007 Four Winns H180
4.3GL-G Volvo Penta SX

Gee, people are so helpless these days. Not difficult to find at all, I even gave you the site name. I guess the direct link is what
you want.
http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/vp_sch_fs.html

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy