Preliminary winterizing procedure

[cyclone]

With the questions about the engine petcocks, I figured I'd post what I have so far on the winterizing procedure. Pics are from my D drive but the hardware should be the same. Let me know what you think, what else should I include?

I put a link on the How_TO page as well.

www.epicmarine.com/docs/Epic Winterizing Procedure.pdf

[phenom_1819]

OMG -- Pete, that is the coolest thing I have ever seen.   I think even I can handle that procedure... You just saved me $400!!!  THANK YOU!!!  

[krejciman]

Very Nice, thanks for going to all the trouble.

Question for ya: It seems like alot of this is meant for cold climates, correct?  What is recommended for warmer climates, like so cal?

I usually do gas preservative, battery disconnect, etc...  what else should I be doing?

Again, thanks for puting together the PDF.

[toyotafreak]

If you're not running the boat once a month, I hear you need to fog the cylinders, and maybe some StaBil in the fuel.

I do my annual service in the fall, and last winter ran the boat a little less than once a month. Longest stretch may have been two months.

The best answer is not to fog, etc., but to take the boat out once a month. No worries about freezing, or block draining or anything our northern brethren have to deal with.

[2000epic]

Just wanted to say thanks.  Really appreciate what you do.

[cyclone]

No problema, just figured if I have a camera and do it once, I can make things easier for other people.

[toyotafreak]

That's the deal Pete - gotta take the time to document it. Can't believe I 1) removed the gas tank, 2) installed a skeg, 3) removed and replaced one tower and installed another, and 4) installed a drain for the cooler without taking pictures. Problem with these projects is that you end up in a time bind to get 'em done and it takes a REAL epicmariner to document the stuff during the work like Pete's done on many occasions.

[Lakeside]

Well, today we're taking the Epic out for the last time this year.  

For some reason, right now my home computer is not allowing me to connect to the "Winterizing - How To" (although it's let me do it before).

So I've got a few simple questions...

What you you need to have in your fuel tank for a long cold winter?
I'm assuming a full tank of gas and fuel stabilizer.  Is this correct?  Do I need anything else in the tank.

Thanks for your help on this!

[cyclone]

I use StaBil, read the label for the right amount. I think it is like 11 ounces for 27.5 gal, something like that.

You should be able to get on the how to page now.

[Wakefoot]

A really nice job on the procedures.  I only wish those petc***s on the bottom were easier to get to on my V drive.  What a pain, I have dropped many a ratchet into the bilge on those.

[toyotafreak]

Thread hijack ON - to the poster formerly known as wakefoot :-0 Did you have any problems chaging your name on the board? I kinda want to switch to match my wakeworld name and it looks like you had some success.

[phenom_1819]

It's time for me to tackle this...tonight (or tomorrow, or the next day...or whenever I get to it).

How long should I expect it to take, from start to finish, going by Pete's instruction guide?

[mvermeer]

Cal

Winterized mine about three weeks ago with this procedure and it took me about 30 to 45 minutes.  Really pretty easy to accomplish.  I used sockets on the drains for the block because it gave me more leverage when trying to lossen the nuts up. Best of luck

[phenom_1819]

That's crazy.  30 to 45 minutes and shops charge over $300.  I swear, if I weren't such a mechanical idiot, I'd be a boat mechanic...these guys have it all figured out.

[dawsonr]

When I bought my Epic, a mechanic told me that when I winterize the boat, that if I wanted it to run the next spring, to make sure I pumped down the fuel racks.  He explained that you removed the fuel line from the fuel filter and run the fuel pump  (red button on the aft part of the motor) until you could hear it change pitch.  I have for the last three winters and it runs great when I start it up the next season.  Anyone else heard of such a thing.
Secondly, I'm hearing some BAD things about Stabil.  I found a product that does not have a shelf life called "Pri-G".  I started using it when I heard from my small engine repair instructor that this suff will resurect some very nasty old gas back to usable gas.  I buy 200 gallons of gas each spring when the price is a little lower and use it throughout the summer.   One bottle treats 256 gallons of fuel.  Can't hurt, might help, sure is a crowd pleaser.