www.iFourWinns.com

I was hoping the experts could double-check my winterizing steps for my first time DIY winterizing

I have a 99 5.7GS with SX outdrive.

1. Add stabil to fuel.
1. Warm up engine on muffs to get oil warm.
2. Drain oil with new moeller fluid extractor. That thing works like a charm.
3. Change oil filter and fuel water separator filter.
4. Refill oil with Royal Purple 30W synthetic (ouch on the wallet); check oil levels
5. Warm engine back up with new oil. Check for leaks, etc.
6. Fog engine at 1200 rpm. Had to cut back throttle and then shut off as it wouldn't stall out.
7. Drain engine
a. Disconnect large hose
b. Disconnect hose for manifolds and remove manifold plugs (poked around with wire)
c. Remove engine block plugs (poked around with wire)
d. Remove hoses from raw water pump
e. Turn raw water pump over to flush out water
f. Connect all hoses back up except at top and re-install plugs
8. Backfill with marine anti-freeze
a. Fill large drain hose (never did get that sucker full, used about 1 3/4 gallons)
b. Fill hoses to manifolds (got these full)
c. Pulled thermostat and poored some antifreeze down there
Question - I used 3 gallons of anti-freeze into the block and manifolds, but still wasn't full up? Should I get another gallon and fill some more? I did turn over the engine over a couple times to get some in the raw water pump.

Still to do
-Out drive service (change gear lube, lower to drain, backfill, etc) I'm not going to pull this year as I didn't put many hours on. I will inspect bellows as best I can.
- Get remaining water that drained into bilge out
- Pull batteries for storage
- Remove pfd's, etc
- Give her a good cleaning
- Stick dryer sheets and the crystal stuff for moisture around the boat

Any thing else that I am missing? I'm a bit nervus as this is my first DIY winterizing project, but I did my homework, have the Volvo manual and a Seloc manual so I think I hit everything. I appreciate any advice all you DIY experts can provide.

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'99 Horizon 200

Or move to South Australia , no winterising here
sorry if that isn't helpfull

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

..... I'll bet ........

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Yep, not much help...funny none the less

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'99 Horizon 200

Don't forget to winterize the bilge pump. I usually pour a couple gallons of the pink stuff in the bilge and just run the bilge pump until it comes out. It also helps keep any remaining water in the bildge from freezing and cracking something. Even with the plug out, it seems like some water always stays in the bilge.

I'm not an expert, so there may be a more sophisticated way to do it.

I also prop up the seat cushions and open the ski locker so mold doesn't grow.

I get my dealer to wash and winterize my boat for me. I just left my regular cover on and stored the boat indoors for the winter. I am assuming that it will dry out slowly as only the cover is on it prior to going into the deep freeze. Wouldn't that also prevent any kind of molds or mildew?

Jeff

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2009 H180 3.0 Volvo Penta