Another Coolant Winterizing Question?

[Dark Age 53]

Hello, first post. My son just bought a very nice Sportster with only 20 some hours on it, we checked out some youtubes on how to do the coolant winterizing but have run into a problem. We can't hook up a hose like so many video's show, I'm enclosing a photo of where I believe the hose connects. It looks like there's a black rubber plug that needs to be removed before connecting the hose, none of the video's I've watched say anything about removing what looks like a plug. Any help would be appreciated, thanks. Al

 

[delonnelj]

It's the opening below where you're pointing. It's not threaded and looks like a hose or tube rather that pushes on. The plug is not a plug that's gasket sealer for the transom bracket. So you need a tube or unthreaded hose to push onto that light gray piece.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

First off. delonnelj is correct, the flush port is below and to the right there. It is a threaded hole to accept a standard hose male end. Yours has an adapter in it that someone put in it. You should be able to unscrew that and insert a hose or as mentioned, figure out what could attach to that adapter.

Also, is your machine supercharged? Because if it is, what is your plan to flush it with coolant? The reason I ask is depending on your year, the Intercooler is either in your intake or mounted on a shelf in the back. Both are much higher than the flush port, so trying to use gravity to reach them will not work. You will need a pump that can pump the coolant through so it will reach and fill the IC.

 

[Dark Age 53]

Thanks for the replies, the Sportster is a 2007 and is Supercharged.

 

[jocko1990]

Hello, first post. My son just bought a very nice Sportster with only 20 some hours on it, we checked out some youtubes on how to do the coolant winterizing but have run into a problem. We can't hook up a hose like so many video's show, I'm enclosing a photo of where I believe the hose connects. It looks like there's a black rubber plug that needs to be removed before connecting the hose, none of the video's I've watched say anything about removing what looks like a plug. Any help would be appreciated, thanks. Al

Can you hook up an air hose to this port and blow it out with air, either gently or full blast to force all water out? Just curious?

 

[MacSeaDoo]

The flush port on the pump is actually the discharge when running. There is a pickup in the pump side just past the impeller that forces raw water up into the system. It flows to a T connector in which one end goes to the exhaust and the other goes to the Intercooler. That same happens in reverse heading out to that discharge port.

When you blow air through, you have 2 paths for the air to go. The first path is shorter so you will never get all of the water out of the IC.

That is why you should flush with anti freeze. You also need to force it through with a pump.

I bought a drill pump this year and found it can't supply enough pressure to fill the IC. I know this because I replaced my IC with the new units that have a vent. I never did get antifreeze coming out of the vent line.

Because I bought a new IC this year, I just pulled it out as a winterized it. Not saying you have to do it, but you should get a good pump to pump the antifreeze through it.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

BTW, mine is a 2011 with the IC external to the engine on a shelf in the back. Not hard to remove, so that is the route I took.

So for me, I used the drill pump until I had antifreeze coming out of the impeller cooling intlet. This confirmed I had it through the exhaust manifold. Then I removed the IC, which was not full full of antifreeze as mentioned. (Drill pump did not have enough pressure and flow.)

 

[Dark Age 53]

With the help of this forum and YouTube I think I'll be able to winterize the coolant, I'm going to Lowe's to pick up what I need and I ordered a SeaSense 800 GPH bilge-pump . Thanks for all the great suggestions. Al

 

[bloomac]

Is one gallon per motor enough for a SCIC 255 engine? Ran out and too lazy to go to the store.

 

[Dark Age 53]

Is one gallon per motor enough for a SCIC 255 engine? Ran out and too lazy to go to the store.

First, I want to say I know nothing about these boats, what I do know it's better to be safe than sorry. I should have everything I need to do my sons boat later this week, I bought two gallons of coolant and I think I'm going to get another gallon before doing the job. I want to make sure that not only is the engine done but also that the IC is ready for winter storage, my thought is what's cheaper a gallon or two more of winterizing coolant or catastrophic engine or IC damage repair bill.......I may not be the sharpest knife in the kitchen but I know a couple of gallons of coolant is cheaper. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[4tec hoarder]

I would remove that PVC adapter and throw it out, like others mentioned a garden hose will thread right in for flushing. I an in NY where winter temps get below 0F, I have never pumped anti freeze into any of my 4 tec SeaDoo engines. Pumping anti-freeze is not mentioned in the SeaDoo shop manual, using compressed air is. I believe if you pump enough antifreeze into the port it will backup into the engine and bad stuff will happen

 

[MacSeaDoo]

I would remove that PVC adapter and throw it out, like others mentioned a garden hose will thread right in for flushing. I an in NY where winter temps get below 0F, I have never pumped anti freeze into any of my 4 tec SeaDoo engines. Pumping anti-freeze is not mentioned in the SeaDoo shop manual, using compressed air is. I believe if you pump enough antifreeze into the port it will backup into the engine and bad stuff will happen

Hey 4tec.


Hey 4tec.

I bought mine used this year and spent the first part of the season battling with issues that turned out to be a leaking IC. The leak was in an expanded line inside that was obvious from water expansion from freezing. I put a brand new larger IC in it from the 300.

I blew out the raw water cooling circuit with both engine and compressor and I still had water in the Intercooler. Also you will still have water in the exhaust can at the bottom and in it is a channel at the bottom where the water gets directed back towards the riser to the waterbox.

For the $10 in antifreeze I will guarantee there is no water only antifreeze in the exhaust manifold, lines, and exhaust can.

I also just took the IC out because the drill pump i used didn't provide enough pressure to fill the IC.

Where I am it will get -20c and below, and I suffer from mechanical OCD. Makes me feel like I did all I can to make sure I don't have issues with it for the spring.

 

[4tec hoarder]

From the SeaDoo manual:
"Exhaust System Draining
The exhaust system is self draining, but the exhaust
manifold and intercooler (215 engine) need
to be drained to avoid damages should the watercraft
be stored in an area where the temperature
attains the freezing point of water.
Using the flushing connector located at the rear of
vehicle, inject pressurized air (at 380 kPa (55 PSI))
in the system until there is no more water flowing
from jet pump."

Antifreeze isn't required but if it gives you peace of mind then pump it in

 

[JPass]

I agree with MacSeadoo, antifreeze is cheap insurance to protect your motor from freeze damage.

 

[LionOnABeach]

Just did mine this weekend.
Connected the flushing hose I put together earlier this year.
Put compressed air to it until water stopped coming out (decent amount came out).
Filled the hose and funnel with antifreeze.
Had wife start the engine.
I kept filling the funnel with antifreeze until it came out underneath. Took about a minute or so of run time and I put in 1.5 gallons. Engine off.
I’m storing in my garage so it shouldn’t ever get super cold for any length of time (sorta heated, but not what I would consider a full heated garage).

I think the extra 5 minutes (after SeaDoo recommended compressed air blow out) and $6 I spent on antifreeze is worth it to me. Maybe I should use a pump next time? If it was stored outside, I would go the “pump it in” route, but being inside I’m not too worried.

 

[ski-d00]

Here's a picture of a leaking intercooler on the left before I replaced with the one on the right after a winter where the guy said he blew out the system with compressed air.

 

[Dark Age 53]

We completed the coolant winterizing today, everything worked out perfect using the SeaSense 800 GPH bilge-pump I bought.......use almost two gallons. Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

Here's a picture of a leaking intercooler on the left before I replaced with the one on the right after a winter where the guy said he blew out the system with compressed air.
View attachment 52267

Exhibit "A" in my thinking of why shove some antifreeze through it. (Actually this year as mentioned, I pulled my IC out. It is on a shelf in my mechanical room in the basement)