Annual maintenance and winterization on 01 SX

[spokanesx]

I followed the V-drive annual maintenance and winterizing instructions.  Here is a few things that I found:

1) If you have the shower option and decide to remove all of the transom panel prior to this service you must block the shower lines prior to the start up.  I set the panel in the locker on it's side and hooked them back up.  This way you can still move it around.  I also didn't want to damage the lines by trying to pinch them off.

2) Be careful with the oil filter removal.  It is funny how these boats seem to have slight variations to them.  My filter is firmly placed on top of the exhaust line so I could not get the plastic bottle under to catch the dripping oil.  By the time I got the new filter on oil had made its way down most of the boat.  That was fun to clean up.  I think next year I will make a catch out of a piece of tarp and a catch pan of some type so I can slide it under the filter and catch everything that comes out.

3) I was only able to suck 1 quart of ATF out of the transmission.  The write up says to put in 2 quarts.  I tried moving the line around to pump out more but that was it.  I only put in 1 quart to be safe.  It seems like the author of the write up was a little uncertain about the fill amount.  Does anyone have any input on this?  By the way, the transmission fluid has never been changed which means this is probably how it came from the factory.

4)  I did not drain a hose to my heater.  Does anyone know where it is and how to drain it?

5) I have a tip on the winterizing part of this project.  If you are considering winterizing yourself for the first time you should skip to the block plugs first.  If you cannot get them loose then maybe you should have professional do this project.  I have four different sized 10 mm wrenches and after attempting all of them I decided to just muscle it with a stubby wrench.  The brass bolt was well worn which made the job even more fun.  After 30 minutes of pulling that little wrench as hard as I could I was able to make a full rotation which was enough for a fast drip.  I hope that is good enough.  I let out a few lines of four letter words.  Now for the driver's side, I found the larger extension nut.  I cannot figure out how the hell you get your hand in there to loosen it.  It looks like it has not seen a wrench (no marks).  My shower lines run right along the only opening.  Does anyone have any tips for this? 

Last question, has anyone replaced the block drains with some type of ball valve that you can reach in there and twist open of closed like a seacock?

Sorry for the long post.  I will say that the write up on the maintenance section is absolutely awesome.  Thanks for taking the time to put it together and share it with all of us.  Even though I had some challenges(not related to the quality of the instructions)  this project would have taken twice as long without the write up.

[2000epic]

On the trans, did you suck from both the dipstick hole and the filter hole?   I get about 1 3/4 quarts (DD)

as for the heater I circulate antifreeze so no worries on the heater/shower, no draining the block.

[bmccalla]

The oil change guideline I got from this forum shows a custom-cut Clorox bottle to catch the spill from the oil filter. I bought a disposable paint roller pan, about $2. When placed on the floor under the filter, it freed both hands and it worked perfectly. Care must be used when lifting it out because the oil weight can flex the flimsy plastic. I have a EPIC 21, straight drive. SX might not have the wiggle room.

Maybe this would help...a trick I learned from Toyota 4runner forum. Place your hand inside a plastic sandwich bag and unscrew the filter, catching it in the baggie. This way lessen the cleanup.

[cyclone]

Wow, cool tip on the baggie for the oil filter change!!

I took pics last yr of my 01 SX winterization. I found that the block petcocks were (somewhat) reasonably accessible from the passenger compartment. If you remove all the covers, and lay on the V drive you can snake your arm and a wrench up the side of the block on each side and get pretty good access to the petcocks. This applies to Vdrive boats only.

I'll post pics later, maybe today if I get time.

I would also like to add ball valves to each side to help with draining the block. I notice on some newer  boats there is a flush port on the outside of the hull under the swim platform. It may be for salt water use, i'd like a fitting I could connect to that I could put some air pressure on and have it evacuate the block of all water. Not sure if that's doable.

[spokanesx]

Thank guys.  Very good idea with the bag.  The filter lays on the exhaust hose all the way up to the top which leaves zero room for any kind of a catch.  I could take a 1 gallon size ziplock bag and pull it all the way up before unscrewing it.  Great idea.

I am thinking of just putting the plugs back in this afternoon and cycling antifreeze through.  It has been unseasonably warm here in Spokane until last week.  The last two nights has been down to 20 degrees.  I was able to get most of the water out like I stated in my original post but I am kind of freaked out that I didn't get it all out.  I will try accessing them from the front of the motor first which is something I hadn't considered.

Thanks guys.

[spokanesx]

Pete,

On the passenger side there is a larger extension nut and a small bolt on the end.  Do I remove the small bolt for it to drain, or remove the whole thing?

[tryme]

I have a 99 epic 21.  the port side i just pull the line from the oil filter for the oil cooling.  that saves me from having to pull the block plug on that side.  just a tip

[spokanesx]

I took another stab at it tonight.  There is no way to get to the stbd side drain plug.  I tried from all angles.  The motor mount is just aft of the plug which blocks getting to it from down low.  The transmission cooler hose runs below the exhaust manifold which eliminates access from the side of the engine.  In the front is the oil drain line, cold water shower line, and transmission cable mount.  I am throwing in the towel.  Taking it to a shop tomorrow.  I just set up two 500 watt work lights in the engine compartment to keep it warm tonight.  I think it went straight from summer to winter.  It is supposed to be 18 degrees tonight.

[tryme]

when i stripped mine i just took off the exhaust manifold.  then you can really get at it.  bought a new gasket and bingo!

[toyotafreak]

So regarding the oil filter drain, I agree on my S22 the exhaust is too tight as well. I believe my approach was to very gradually unscrew the filter, catching the oil with the cut bottle as it drained out between oil cooler and filter. Slide 17 shows it draining while the filter's only partially unscrewed. I do press down on the exhaust tube when removing and installing the filter.

With regards to the transmission, you're right I'm not sure I ever got the right bead on what the level should be. Think towards the end there I would underfill then wait until on the lake to finish filling. I did overfill a couple times and fluid vented (there's a vent to make it idiot proof).

All: over the years, have there been any comments from Rick or the other gurus as to problems with the procedure?

[spokanesx]

I haven't been on the site for awhile.  I thought I would leave a quick note about my solution to the port side petcock fitting.  I bought a set of Gearwrench ratchet wrenches.  The 10mm slips over the nut and tightens or loosens with ease.  Attached is snapshot of what they look like.  Unfortunately I had no luck getting the drain open on the starboard side.  The only option would have been to take off the exhaust manifold.  I have also attached an image of the access which is totally blocked.

In the end I tightened up the drain on the port side took out the thermostat and ran antifreeze through the motor.  It took about 30 minutes. 

[cyclone]

Go in from the passenger compartment, you can lay on the v drive and reach up in there with a box end or a compact socket. It takes five minutes but wear gloves as your hands will get cut up by sharp brackets and hose clamps. You can also reach the trans cooler drainplug. This is a low spot and it will freeze even if you think you drained everything.