questions on winterizing. should be simple answers.

[tryme]

i followed the very helpful winderizing page.  i had just a couple questions/problems.  on trying to remove the very stubborn passenger side block drain, the hex adapter started unscrewing instead of the bolt.  although when i removed the drain from the oil filter a lot of water came out.  is there an easy angle to get at the pass side block drain?  cant get any leverage.  next i see that there is an oil drain adapter but i dont see what it points to.  do i just unscrew the drain plug for the oil? what hose do i use to drain out the bottom of the boat.  any pictures or description would be great.  If i follow all of these is the boat ready for cold storage?  thanks just dont want a dead boat come spring.  thanks

[toyotafreak]

next i see that there is an oil drain adapter but i dont see what it points to.? do i just unscrew the drain plug for the oil? what hose do i use to drain out the bottom of the boat.?

You can either insert an oil sucker down the dipstick hole or look for the 3/4" or so hose ith a bolt in the end of is that's clipped to the top of the engine. They put that hose there so you could unclip it and then point the hose out the bilge plug hol into a bucket under the boat. I don't recommend that just because you're probably going to get oil everywhere.

If you download the v-drive maintenance document, you can see another view of some of the non freezing-related stuff. Can't help you there.

Winterization for us is to take the bimini off.

[cyclone]

You must get the block drains out, it's ok if you pull the whole adaptor out of the block. You can then put it in a vise and use some liquid wrench to loosen the  smaller plug for next year. 

As for the passenger side, I guess it depends whether you are talking about a V drive or D drive. I use a short box end wrench, there is one spot where you can swing the wrench 1/8 turn or so.

I'd remove the thermostat too, there is some water behind it.

Follow the procedure, fog the cylinders, etc. You will be good to go for next year.

[epic_toy]

I put the fuel stabilizer in the boat first usually prior to taking it out of the water to get it mixed around and up into the engine. Could be anal.

Also, if you have heater and / or shower, disconnnect and blow out water in those systems.

I think those petcock assemblies are a pain. Those brass bolts get tighter every year on me. I broke one off last spring when I was tightening it up. I had to take off the raw water intake assembly (if memory serves me right, port side on direct drive, two bolts to the bottom of the exhaust manifold?) to get down in there to get enough room to fit a breaker bar onto the hex assembly.

[festivus]

I couldn't be sure if I got a good drain on the port side block plug.  THe bolt was brutal to loosen.  ON the sb side I think I drained it completely, water was dripping out for a while, but it was the manifold plugs where I got a  lot of water out of.  I feel your pain with the block bolts.  They suck.  I'm not suggesting a design flaw, but it sort of looks like a design flaw.  Either that, or the highly unlikely possibility that I am not a very good mechanic.

[mplecture]

I've had troubles on the passenger side of my V-drive also.  >:(This spring I could not close the pet cock on that side since it was so tight and I could only use the strength of my forearms. I was able to use a drum break spring tool and put it between the 2 exhaust ports on the manifold and push the wrench while I held it with my other hand. I'll probably need to rig something so I can pull the wrench this time to open it. Maybe use some type of wire or thin rope to pull on. I always have cuts and bruises trying to open and close that drain plug.

I have not winterized yet since we've had some decent weather in Cincinnati and I just bought a dry suit.