Help with Winterizing

[jalssid]

Thank you for posting the instructions on winterizing, Don. My partner and I set out to winterize our A-4 this weekend. Unfortunately, we were unable to get her to start. We are in Rhode Island, so we have had about a month of cold weather since the engine was last started.

This weekend we drained the old oil, replaced it with new oil and put antifreeze into the water pump.

A friend has suggested we might try adding dry gas to the tank, spraying the engine with quick start spray, and trying to start her up again.

Does this make sense? Any other suggestions?

Appreciate any help you might provide.

[Marian Claire]

Was the engine drawing water or anti freeze during the cranking or was the thru hull and T valve closed? How had she run in the past? How long did you crank? Suggest not using starter fluid. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[hanleyclifford]

Frequently if an engine sits a while without running the points can get dirty and prevent a good spark. Try cleaning the points with a solvent on a piece of cloth and it wouldn't hurt to check the gap. There are also many fuel issues that could be involved, but check the easy stuff first

[ArtJ]

It is vital that you make certain that the engine is full of 50 percent antifreeze
without delay. A cracked block will otherwise be the result. As suggested
above, it is best to get the engine running and pull the antifreeze in from
a bucket filled with diluted antifreeze. Run engine until antifreeze can be seen
flowing from the exhaust. Do this by disconnecting the water inlet to the
pump from the hull fitting and inserting a extended hose in the bucket.

If you have salt water cooling, this will be sufficient. If you have fresh
water cooling, then you will need to use a inexpensive coolant gauge
to check the protection temperature inside the engine as well via the fill cap
You should be protected to at least zero degrees minimum. Drain out
some liquid if necessary, add anti freeze and run engine until circulated
and level remains full at cap.

It may be possible to pump antifreeze into a non running engine. I will leave
it for others to tell you how to safely do this.

Best Regards

Art

[sastanley]

jalssid,

Check out this timely thread discussing the same dilemma.

http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4773

[jalssid]

Thanks

Thank you all so much. This is incredibly helpful.

[domenic]

Winter is a good time to pull, and rebuild the carb, and fuel pump...needed, or not.