Winterizing double check

[petertr3]

I have a FWC Crusader 5.0 MPI. It has the flushing port in the cockpit. I assume the routine is to close the seacock, connect a short hose to the flushing port and stick the other end in a jug of antifreeze, then fire up the engine. Repeat with successive jugs until antifreeze flows out both exhausts.
It seems too easy, so I am suspicious.
Also, how many gallons should I need?
I'll check the antifreeze strength on the fresh water side, but otherwise leave it alone if it's good.

 

[Ship]

I use 2 gallons but about 1/2 gallon is wasted. Put in 5 bucket, suck from there.

 

[cw.abeljr]

I do it the same way you are describing with the flush connection. I stick the hose in a 5 gal bucket with 2 gal of anti freeze and 2 gal of water for a 50/50 mix and run her until I get a good flow of the mixture coming out the exhaust.

 

[fourcs]

I use RV antifreeze pink - 50 I have heat exchanger and the engine has auto anti freeze. so I have a 30 gal bait tank "plastic barrel " I run engine with water until temp is 160 and then I dump 5 gals in and just before it runs out I use fog oil to stall engine. RV antifreeze is safe to go out the exhaust and on the ground. you do not want auto coolant / antifreeze on the ground.

 

[Ship]

I use the pink stuff (50-50) too but you can buy concentrated as well. I think one of the brands is Sierra.

 

[petertr3]

I winterized yesterday. The flushing port worked fine with the hose connected, but would not suck antifreeze from the bucket. I still got it done by taking the lid off the Groco strainer and feeding it 2 gallons of the purple -60 stuff while idling.
Now I have all winter to figure out why it's not pulling from the port. Seacock was closed.
It is supposed to draw from the port, right?

 

[Ship]

Yes but just a little air leaking past the seacock will screw it up

 

[petertr3]

Or at the hose fitting, too, I would guess. It had no problem sucking down the AF from the strainer, though. A new O-ring on the strainer lid looks like a good idea as well.

 

[Maraian]

I had the same problem, at first. On my boat, if on the trailer, I have to pinch off the hose going to the dripless shaft seal with vice grips and a rag.

 

[petertr3]

Good thought. It will probably turn out to be easier just using the strainer. I have a pvc male thread adapter and a length of pvc pipe that I thread into the lid opening. I use it for the diesel and the A/C on my sailboat (both have Groco raw water strainers.) I pour it full with the seacock closed, fire up the engine or the A/C and keep pouring in antifreeze until I see straight antifreeze out the exhaust. My son calls it the "antifreeze bong."
It's how Sabre winterizes A/C units at the factory without making a mess of the shiny new bilges.