Winterizing Two Boats Help!

[neller840]

Hey everybody I am a complete rookie here.. I recently came into 2 jetboats.. I believe they both have oldsmobile 455 engines. One is a Hawaiian the other is a Kona. I inherited them from my uncle recently, and moved both of them up to NH.. I am used to automobile cooling systems which are sealed, these are a bit different. Well it's starting to get cold up here, and I want to make sure I winterize them properly.

There aren't water pumps on the engines, so I take it the Berkley jet pushes water through the engine. I have heard that you can use a pump, or a bucket with a hose attached(gravity) to push non-toxic antifreeze through the block via the intake hose. Till it comes out the exhaust?? Not sure how the flow of water works on these puppies..

I've also heard that you can pop all the freeze plugs on the engine and flush it with water, while removing any sand/mud that might have collected in the bottom of the engine. Then pump antifreeze through it till it comes out the bottom of the block. Problem is the plugs are tucked underneath the headers, and nearly impossible to get to. .

I've also noticed that water is heated by the headers before going into the engine. So I want to make sure I get all the water out of them as well before I ruin something.

Also the Berkley jet pump itself, I've heard water can get inside, and is normal for it to do so sometimes. How do I go about draining that, and putting proper oil back in.

Sorry if I'm not explaining things right, or leaving out details. I've added a few pics to help, and will add more if needed. Please help me out guys!! Thanx in advance!! ~chrisguys!! Thanx in advance!! ~chris

http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx260/neller840/img002.jpg

http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx260/neller840/img005.jpg



http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx260/neller840/img006.jpg

http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx260/neller840/img007.jpg

[whipper]

Water is the only thing you need to get out of there if the weather freezes were your at. I would also drain the carbs and fuel lines so gas doesnt bung up. Im pretty sure your jet pump is good as is. If you still can take a run put the right amount of stabilizer in the fuel tank. Take her for a short run to get it in every thing. When your home or at the ramp if not buisy there shut of the fuel or fire her up and disconect the fuel pump and let the motor run out of gas. Some will also take out the plugs and spray some light oil in there. NOT WD40 because it is a water base!! Light oil and put plugs back in. Cover good and good to go. To make sure you get the water out you can also run the motor out of the water while your running the fuel out at the same time. In the spring I drain my fuel tank and use that left over gas as fire starter or in the lwan mower. Because theres no leg you dont have to worry about antifreeze though some guys will pump it in thewater lines and plug them off? I dont think you need to worry about that. I also know a guy up hear that hooks up a little heater under his tarp for when it gets real cold but i dont think thats nessisary. Because your system is an open system meaning the water is only there when your in the water and running it should drain out good enough if you fire her up on land and blow the water out of the lines that way. Just watch your temps that you dont run it to long to heat any thing up. What ever water is left in a down line will evaperate eventualy. The jet pump is resiliant. And will be fine.

[neller840]

"Because your system is an open system meaning the water is only there when your in the water and running it should drain out good enough if you fire her up on land and blow the water out of the lines that way. Just watch your temps that you dont run it to long to heat any thing up. What ever water is left in a down line will evaperate eventualy. The jet pump is resiliant. And will be fine."

1.) Do I leave the hose from the Berkley pump attached to the coolant intake hose..?
I imagine you would, so the pump would push air through the lines.

2.) What about water in the lower part of the motor, I've heard that the only way to get all the water out is to pop the freeze plugs on the engine or pump it with antifreeze.?

3.) Where does the water come out of the engine?

[sleekcrafter]

Pull the drain plugs, flush the block...water should flow freely from the drains. Pull the hoses off the manifolds, or remove the drain plug if present, then reconnect or replace the plug. Once all the water is out of the block, add anti-freeze to the system. I use a pump that attaches to a drill, remove the inlet hose from the jet pump, attach to the dril/pump, and fill till anti freeze is present at the exhaust tip. Tie up the loose hose, so the anti freeze does not run out, and your done.

Change your oil to at the end of the season, gets the acids out the system.


Jet boats are not an open drain system, if you were to treat it as one, you will crack the block, and split the exhaust. :thumbsup:

[Last Mohican]

Ditto what Sleek said.

One reason for adding antifreeze is to prevent the block from rusting from the inside out. Antifreeze is also a corrosion inhibitor.

There should be a small pipe plug in each side of the block right above the oil pan flange. Remove these plugs to drain the water from the block. This would be a good time to replace the plugs with drain cocks like you find on a radiator.

[neller840]

Pull the drain plugs, flush the block...water should flow freely from the drains. Pull the hoses off the manifolds, or remove the drain plug if present, then reconnect or replace the plug. Once all the water is out of the block, add anti-freeze to the system.

1.) The first mention of drain plugs, do you mean the circular freeze plugs on the engine block?

2.) Is it easier to remove the manifolds to get to them?

3.) Once it's flushed just tap them back in, or get new brass ones??

4.) I'm a little unclear of the coolant path in a jetboat. Jetboats send their coolant(water) out the exhaust? Is that why you wait to see the antifreeze comes out the exhaust?

THanks again!

[neller840]

There should be a small pipe plug in each side of the block right above the oil pan flange. Remove these plugs to drain the water from the block. This would be a good time to replace the plugs with drain cocks like you find on a radiator.

1.) do you mean the circular freeze plugs in the side of the block? Right below the exhaust manifold?

2.) Replacing the plugs with drain cocks.. Do you mean get new brass freeze plugs, and drill holes in them and add brass drain cocks in them??

I'm a little unclear what I'm looking for, but I do see some light.. Thanks again guys!!

[Last Mohican]

1.) do you mean the circular freeze plugs in the side of the block? Right below the exhaust manifold?

2.) Replacing the plugs with drain cocks.. Do you mean get new brass freeze plugs, and drill holes in them and add brass drain cocks in them??

I'm a little unclear what I'm looking for, but I do see some light.. Thanks again guys!!

No Not the freeze plugs. These are threaded pipe plugs right above the oil pan flange. There is no need to remove the freeze plugs. I'll see if I can find a pic.

[sleekcrafter]

Between the back two freeze plugs, is the block drain.

http://rebuilt.net/455OLDS.JPG

[sleekcrafter]

this is the basic plumbing set-up for a Jet boat using log type exhaust.

http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=870be36f05d0e81f32bdc736b67ef44e&action=dlattach;topic=91.0;attach=256;image

[Last Mohican]

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=183847&d=1255400901

After you pull those plugs you may have to stick a small screwdriver or something in the hole to loosen any sediment and get the block to drain. There is one on each side of the block. Be sure to drain both sides.

[neller840]

Awesome information on everything Sleekcrafter!! This is exactly what I needed. Thanks a million :cheers:

Have you ever heard of sand/mud collecting in the bottom of the motor and causing overheating??

I guess if I pull those plugs and nothing seems to be draining that would be a clue that there is something blocking it...

Also I heard that if you have standard automotive freeze plugs instead of brass ones, they will corrode, and fail eventually. Is this true??

[Last Mohican]

Also I heard that if you have standard automotive freeze plugs instead of brass ones, they will corrode, and fail eventually. Is this true??

Hell I've seen that happen in cars that were not properly maintained.

[sleekcrafter]

yes a good flush will bring a lot of sediment out of the block, as posted above, use a wire to prod the jacket, if it's in there it'll come out. Don't run the water full blast off the tap, just a little flow is needed.

Brass freeze plugs for sure, I've heard the steel one's can fail in as little as a year.

[neller840]

Don't run the water full blast off the tap, just a little flow is needed.

Yeah I heard that the pressure from your hose can blow out some valve??
That you should start the motor, then turn the hose on, and not full blast??

Ok just looked at the boats, and both drain plugs on both motors are already out. I don't see the missing plugs though. Maybe they fell below the motor when they took them out. If I have to get new one's, is that something the local autoparts store would have??

So it would seem some of my work is done, but to make sure I have this right.

1.) I should still proceed to flush the block with water.

2.) Let it fully drain through the drain holes, while disconnecting the hoses from the exhaust(logs) drain completely.

3.) Hook everything back up, and pump antifreeze until it dribbles out the exhaust tips?

Thanks again everybody!

[Last Mohican]

That should do it. If you replace those plugs with petcocks it will be easier to drain the block next time around. If you choose to use plugs you can get brass plugs at a local auto parts or hardware store.

[neller840]

When I'm adding the antifreeze do I run the motor??

The reason I ask this, is if the end of the plumbing system ends at the exhaust tips. Isn't there a chance if it's not running that antifreeze or water would slip back down the exhaust, and enter the engine possibly??

Or should I disconnect the feeds to the exhausts on both boats??

Hawaiian

http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx260/neller840/waterflow.jpg

Kona

http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx260/neller840/waterflow_kona.jpg

[Last Mohican]

You do not need to run the motor to add anti freeze. If you do run the motor you need to pull the drive shaft so you are not turning the pump. It is hard on the pump to run it with the boat out of the water.

It's not a valve you can blow with too much pressure it is a gasket. It is common for too much pressure to blow an intake gasket. This is usually a non issue on a boat with logs instead of headers. As long as the water is plumbed from the pump to the logs first, the logs are generally restrictive enough that the pressure never builds in the block.

Given your setup, over transom with logs, I would disconnect the water from the exhaust like you are talking about. With through transom exhaust there are "snails" to keep the water from running back into the heads through the exhaust. You do not have snails so that could be a major issue. Good catch on your part.

[neller840]

That should do it. If you replace those plugs with petcocks it will be easier to drain the block next time around. If you choose to use plugs you can get brass plugs at a local auto parts or hardware store.

Any idea what size thread type?? I definitely want to get petcocks for them. Without the old plugs I have nothing to match up.. I guess get a few bolts, and try to match one up..

[Last Mohican]

Any idea what size thread type?? I definitely want to get petcocks for them. Without the old plugs I have nothing to match up.. I guess get a few bolts, and try to match one up..

Bolts will not work. Those are tapered pipe threads in the block. Bolts are straight threads. IIRC they are 3/8 NPT.

I see you fixed the images. The Kona has snails. No need to disconnect the water feed to the exhaust on it.

[neller840]

I know that leaving the used oil in there is a bad idea, as the acids in it eat metal for breakfast. So I'm setting up for my next question:

How do you change oil on these engines?

I've heard that sometimes it's easier to pull the motor to do it right.. I can't imagine that's the way to do it. I have heard of pumps used to pump the oil out, is that the best solution??

[Last Mohican]

Looks like a couple of cool boats. Post up some pics of the whole boat.

[Last Mohican]

I've done it with a cheap hand pump from Walmart. It worked but it took forever and it was a pain in the ass. I have since added a valve to mine and connect it to a hose that I run through the drain plug in the hull. Not sure what to tell you the best way is on your boat. Just depends on how much clearance you have under the pan. I'm crashing for the night. Good luck with them.

http://ifixsolutions.com/misc/boat/oildrain.jpg

[neller840]

I see you fixed the images. The Kona has snails. No need to disconnect the water feed to the exhaust on it.

Yeah but the hose attaches on the right side(manifold side) of the snail unit. I think to be safe I'll just detach it anyway.


http://i761.photobucket.com/albums/xx260/neller840/img009-1.jpg

[neller840]

Thanks a ton you guys!! I will put some pics up this weekend.. All I have with me is my cell phone, and it just doesn't take good pics. I can't say how much I appreciate your help.. Any computer questions feel free to msg me!! Thanks again!!

[Last Mohican]

Where's the new pics?

[sleekcrafter]

unless the ports are plugged, the water flows out the exhaust, running or not. Reversion is the biggest problem with log exhaust, flush and drain everything, then pump it with antifreeze. Once the antifreeze hits the exhaust outlets your done