www.iFourWinns.com

Hi, my son winterized his Sundowner 1988 with a 5.7 Chevy
and cobra outdrive. He followed the OMC manual, and used
exactly 3 gallons of coolant. Also, we did remove the outdrive.
Is 3 gallons the correct amount that we should have used?
I have seen some owners say that they used 5 gallons.
It is his first time winterizing an i/o. Thank you, John

I usally go through 5 gallons with my 5.0 ford. YOu just have to fill it up till you have pink running out all the right places.

I always drain all the water out before adding the antifreeze.

My 4.3 V6 takes 4-5 gallons including the exhaust manifolds and the raw water intake hose. I use -100 because it stays liquid down to very low temps (-60) unlike the -50 or-60 (keep in mind these are burst rating temps).

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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 agree with LouC. I also use the -100 and I put 5 gal in her as well. I run the engine on the ear muffs for awhile letting her come to temp and then keep your eye on the temp gauge , as soon as you see her start cooling down, add the antifreeze to her. I always open my pit cocks and let it pour into a white plastic cup to make sure its down in the block. This way i know the therm opened up.

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1997 Horizon RS 180
5.7 GL Volvo Penta /SX drive. (1.60)
2018 Ford F-150 super crew 4x4

It might be a good idea to take that sample and put it in the freezer to make sure its strong enough.
I tried that method the first year I did it and the stat didn't open enough and there was weak AF in the block. I drained it and back filled it through the hoses and have been doing it that way ever since (11 seasons worth).
It is a bit more work because you have to remove the drains but safer because of the concern with the 'stat not opening, and in some engines if the impeller is not perfect it won't pull in the AF and it can burn the impeller and overheat the AF. Not a good way to spend your winterizing day.

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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

The manual does not state about filling the manifolds, as those end up with no water once drained. About 2.5 gallons went into the large hose, disconnected from thermostat and the water pickup hose until it came out the outdrive. We put the remaining 1/2 gallon into the manifolds. I will go back and fill those entirely and we should be good.

Where do you all buy the -100? Only place I could find was West Marine at $15/gallon.

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1988 215 Sundowner 5.7L OMC

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1988 215 Sundowner 5.7L OMC

I get it at WM but wait till its on sale

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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 use the WM stuff too; also, I hit the manif's, as one year on my old boat they got cracked. Mine typically takes about 3 1/2-4 gal before coming out.

I run until it warms up, shut down and drain with the single-point quick drain. Pull the main hose and fill until it comes out the T-stat hole, then pull the manif hoses and fill until pink stuff dribbles out the back. I also pop the drains again briefly to ensure there is pink stuff coming out, and leave a little in the bilges.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.