First season winterize procedure

[ajcampen]

This is the spin on fitting.

Anyone really considering building this secondary fuel tank? I can help source parts

[Norris_Boating]

In addition to the annual maintenance recommended by Volvo Penta, The owner's manual says this:

Page 153:

Long-Term Storage

For long term storage (more than two months), we
recommend that you have your Volvo Penta dealer
“winterize” your engine and drive. Your dealer will
provide the proper servicing and maintenance to
ensure that your equipment is treated and stored
properly.
Should you decide to winterize the engine and drive
yourself, carry out the following procedures, in the
order in which they are listed below:
Fuel system treatment as described in Preparing
the Fuel System for Storage, page 141.
Check coolant for proper fill level and freeze
protection level. See the Service and
Maintenance Manual.
Drain water from raw water side of engine cooling
system. See Engine Shutdown, page 94.
Pump the bilge dry and air out engine
compartment.
Store battery as recommended by manufacturer.


Page 141

Preparing the Fuel System for
Storage
If the boat will not be used for two months or longer,
the boat and engine must be prepared for storage.
Both the fuel in the tank(s) and the engine must be
treated with a fuel treatment (stabilizer) that counters
the negative effects of ethanol-blended fuels.
Use Volvo Penta Ethanol Fuel Treatment(4) to treat the
fuel in the tank(s). Add the treatment according to the
instructions on the label.
During storage the engine’s internal components must
be protected from corrosion. This is done by
introducing a Fuel Storage Mixture in to the engine.
Fuel treatment and two-cycle motor oil are mixed in
gasoline and then run through the engine. The oil in
the mixture coats the inside of the engine and
components with a light protective film.
See your Volvo Penta dealer to have the fuel system
and engine treated with the Fuel Storage Mixture
whenever the boat and engine will be stored for more
than two months.
The Fuel Storage Mixture is also covered in the Service
and Maintenance Manual.

Page 94

Draining the Engine
This procedure covers draining the raw (sea) water
from the heat exchanger and seawater pump. Draining
these components also drains the exhaust manifolds.
This is usually done to prevent damage to these parts
during freezing temperatures.
NOTICE! Risk of freeze damage to engine
components. If the water is not drained, during freezing
conditions expanding ice will crack and damage these
components.
NOTICE! If the engine is run with these damaged
components major engine damage is possible.
Draining the coolant (antifreeze) from the engine is
only done as part of scheduled maintenance. Do not
drain the engine block for storage or freeze protection.
Easy Drain
All engines covered by this manual are equipped with
Volvo Penta’s one point drain system; Easy Drain.
The system ties all of the engine drain points together
into one drain manifold, that is actuated by a handle on
top of the engine.
The handle is located on the port-side front corner of
the engine, behind the heat exchanger.
Easy Drain can be used with the boat in the water or
on land (trailer or storage rack).
Engine Shutdown
94

So If I am reading this correctly, and attempting to simplify steps:
1. Add fuel stabilizer
2. Fog engine
3. Check coolant
4. Drain engine with quick drain

They make it sound like if you aren't using ethanol blend fuel you don't need to add fuel stabilizer, is that right?

[akorcovelos]

In addition to the annual maintenance recommended by Volvo Penta, The owner's manual says this:

Page 153:

Long-Term Storage

For long term storage (more than two months), we
recommend that you have your Volvo Penta dealer
“winterize” your engine and drive. Your dealer will
provide the proper servicing and maintenance to
ensure that your equipment is treated and stored
properly.
Should you decide to winterize the engine and drive
yourself, carry out the following procedures, in the
order in which they are listed below:
Fuel system treatment as described in Preparing
the Fuel System for Storage, page 141.
Check coolant for proper fill level and freeze
protection level. See the Service and
Maintenance Manual.
Drain water from raw water side of engine cooling
system. See Engine Shutdown, page 94.
Pump the bilge dry and air out engine
compartment.
Store battery as recommended by manufacturer.


Page 141

Preparing the Fuel System for
Storage
If the boat will not be used for two months or longer,
the boat and engine must be prepared for storage.
Both the fuel in the tank(s) and the engine must be
treated with a fuel treatment (stabilizer) that counters
the negative effects of ethanol-blended fuels.
Use Volvo Penta Ethanol Fuel Treatment(4) to treat the
fuel in the tank(s). Add the treatment according to the
instructions on the label.
During storage the engine’s internal components must
be protected from corrosion. This is done by
introducing a Fuel Storage Mixture in to the engine.
Fuel treatment and two-cycle motor oil are mixed in
gasoline and then run through the engine. The oil in
the mixture coats the inside of the engine and
components with a light protective film.
See your Volvo Penta dealer to have the fuel system
and engine treated with the Fuel Storage Mixture
whenever the boat and engine will be stored for more
than two months.
The Fuel Storage Mixture is also covered in the Service
and Maintenance Manual.

Page 94

Draining the Engine
This procedure covers draining the raw (sea) water
from the heat exchanger and seawater pump. Draining
these components also drains the exhaust manifolds.
This is usually done to prevent damage to these parts
during freezing temperatures.
NOTICE! Risk of freeze damage to engine
components. If the water is not drained, during freezing
conditions expanding ice will crack and damage these
components.
NOTICE! If the engine is run with these damaged
components major engine damage is possible.
Draining the coolant (antifreeze) from the engine is
only done as part of scheduled maintenance. Do not
drain the engine block for storage or freeze protection.
Easy Drain
All engines covered by this manual are equipped with
Volvo Penta’s one point drain system; Easy Drain.
The system ties all of the engine drain points together
into one drain manifold, that is actuated by a handle on
top of the engine.
The handle is located on the port-side front corner of
the engine, behind the heat exchanger.
Easy Drain can be used with the boat in the water or
on land (trailer or storage rack).
Engine Shutdown
94

So If I am reading this correctly, and attempting to simplify steps:
1. Add fuel stabilizer
2. Fog engine
3. Check coolant
4. Drain engine with quick drain

They make it sound like if you aren't using ethanol blend fuel you don't need to add fuel stabilizer, is that right?

Debating fuel stabilized is like debating the best oil to run, everyone has an opinion and we know what that's worth. My opinion is, why not add it, it's not hurting anything and is cheap insurance. That said, my neighbor never stabilizes his fuel and has never had an issue.

Another debate is wet vs dry winterizing. I personally have always filled the block with -60* antifreeze, others figure "air doesn't freeze" and leave it empty. I always fear pockets of water that didn't get drained, and in 20 years of self winterizing it's never failed me. YMMV.

[BobRae99]

I think you are safe following the directions in the owners manual, but everyone has their own way of doing things. I guess if you at least do the minimum set out in the manual, you are fine.

[Tuscany]

My boat is easy, hit the EZDrain dump (and don’t forget to pop it back up)..and I’m done.
Otherwise, why stress any of it. Let your dealer do it all.

[Alaskabound]

I went to our new Cobalt dealer this week to ask about how they winterize. I asked about the easy drain system & they said they still ad anti freeze even though the water is gone to prevent any rusting in those areas. At first I thought this was over kill but now thinks it may make sense. Also, I use marine Stabil in just about everything that uses gas, including lawn mower.

Dub

[AsLan7]

I went to our new Cobalt dealer this week to ask about how they winterize. I asked about the easy drain system & they said they still ad anti freeze even though the water is gone to prevent any rusting in those areas. At first I thought this was over kill but now thinks it may make sense. Also, I use marine Stabil in just about everything that uses gas, including lawn mower.

Dub

+1....and add 2cycle motor oil to the water separating fuel filter to fog PRE-CAT engine. Easy-peasy.

[Krob1114]

I'm told to add fuel stabilizer to any gas that sits for 2 months.
I don't do this at home with lawn mower because I use mower in winter to pick up leaves, and keep fresh gas.
Will use on boat though.

[Matts19]

Sorry to hijack a thread on my first post, but I am hoping someone can help answer a question about the easy drain system. We got a 19 200s (240hp SX) late in the season and tried the easy drain yesterday. For those that have used the easy drain, how long does the water drain out and how many gallons do you estimate comes out?? Manual says it will drain for 2-3 mins and dump about 2.9 gallons. I would say it drained forcefully for about 30 seconds and I doubt 2.9 gallons came out. Does this sound right?? Thanks!

[dmnouri]

I’m about to winterize my R5 and wanted to hear your opinions on putting a small marine engine heater in the engine compartment. I will obviously do the quick drain and put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. Is this enough? I keep my boat in a covered dock behind my home on Lake Norman, NC.

[Big Block Power]

I’m about to winterize my R5 and wanted to hear your opinions on putting a small marine engine heater in the engine compartment. I will obviously do the quick drain and put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. Is this enough? I keep my boat in a covered dock behind my home on Lake Norman, NC.

Yes you can buy electric bilge heaters that are rated for your desire. They are safe.

[AsLan7]

Sorry to hijack a thread on my first post, but I am hoping someone can help answer a question about the easy drain system. We got a 19 200s (240hp SX) late in the season and tried the easy drain yesterday. For those that have used the easy drain, how long does the water drain out and how many gallons do you estimate comes out?? Manual says it will drain for 2-3 mins and dump about 2.9 gallons. I would say it drained forcefully for about 30 seconds and I doubt 2.9 gallons came out. Does this sound right?? Thanks!

.
Hey M19, welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

Another member (JasonS??) had a similar experience. Sounds like you're on the same page. I have a blow out pump which blows the water out into the bilge. I also winterize with an antifreeze mixture as an extra precaution (heat exchangers) even though the manual does not include this extra step.

Others may chime in.

Do you have any pics? Feel free to start an intro thread only if you have the time. We sure enjoy reading them here.

Once again, welcome aboard mate!
.

[ajcampen]

I’m about to winterize my R5 and wanted to hear your opinions on putting a small marine engine heater in the engine compartment. I will obviously do the quick drain and put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. Is this enough? I keep my boat in a covered dock behind my home on Lake Norman, NC.

are you supposed to run your boat up to operating temp before you puss the quick drain? that way water around the thermastate is also drained?

[akorcovelos]

man, these quick drain systems make me nervous. Every I/O I've ever winterized I;ve needed to keep poking a wire into the drains because there's sediment that clogs them and it seems like it's done draining, but it's not. How do they account for this with the quick drain? The thermostat is another good point.

[Matts19]

Hey M19, welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

Another member (JasonS??) had a similar experience. Sounds like you're on the same page. I have a blow out pump which blows the water out into the bilge. I also winterize with an antifreeze mixture as an extra precaution (heat exchangers) even though the manual does not include this extra step.

Others may chime in.

Do you have any pics? Feel free to start an intro thread only if you have the time. We sure enjoy reading them here.

Once again, welcome aboard mate!
.

Thanks for the welcome!

I ended up taking the boat to the dealer and letting them winterize it. Based on the invoice I received, they suck up 2 gallons of antifreeze and then drain it back out using the Easy Drain. As others have mentioned, letting the dealer handle it is cheap insurance even though I prefer DIY.