ideas on keeping engine warm because i never put anti freeze in system

[Killertiller]

The boat (twin 720s) is stored indoor and I live in upstate ny. So even in a storage garage it will still get fairly cold. I never got the chance to get anti freeze in the system so I wanna keep engines warm and possibly the pumps if that's needed. So ideas I have are..... engine block heaters on both motors, a little electric heater in motor compartment, a heating blanket covering motors or heating pads. I figure if I have to keep the pumps warm then ill get these little electric pads ive seen, their like 3 inch by 9 inch. Any ideas or opinions are appreciated

 

[jhjesse]

Just put a 60 watt light bulb in the compartment.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Thye have heated oil dipsticks which work ok as well as engine blankets that also work.

The light bulb trick will work also. In a confined space they do well heating and maintaining the heat..

 

[racerxxx]

It will take you the same amount of time to put antifreeze in the system as it will for you to set up an electric blanket, drop light etc.... What happens if a storm like Sandy rolls thru again and you lose electricity for a week, or a bulb burns out? Not trying to be a Naysayer but really, putting the antifreeze in is a cake walk.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I have always winterized my toys no matter where I have stored them...

 

[jhjesse]

It will take you the same amount of time to put antifreeze in the system as it will for you to set up an electric blanket, drop light etc.... What happens if a storm like Sandy rolls thru again and you lose electricity for a week, or a bulb burns out? Not trying to be a Naysayer but really, putting the antifreeze in is a cake walk.

I agree.
Killertiller wanted an alternative to antifreeze, so a light was what I thought of.

 

[Killertiller]

Where boat is I don't have running water to fire motor up to get anti freeze thru system. If we get some insane storm where I lose power I will know to get to the storage n figure something out. I had jet skis for past 25 years and never once winterized other then draining the gas from carbs...lol And im talking about atleast 2 skis every winter n never ever had any issues at all. But doesnt seem like you can blow the water out of the system very good at all in this boat compared to jet skis.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

you don't need running water. Get a hose, A bucket with RV anti freeze and start the motor and pour in the AF until it come out the pump

 

[Killertiller]

that's all? I have the service manual and it got this huge process pinching hoses, running boat connect to water ect.

 

[racerxxx]

You don't run the boat to put antifreeze in it, it's all gravity. This is why it baffles me that guys try and get all fancy with pumps and stuff and draining gas--sta-bil and you're good to go.

Here you go some really, really nice guy made a thread on how to winterize a Speedster Yours will be slightly different.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?57271-1999-Speedster-Winterization


If you get the service manual for you boat(free on the internet) it has the procedure in the book. I can be done in roughly a 1/2 hour on my boat.

 

[Dr Honda]

a heater isn't a viable alternative in a snow state. As others said... if you get a power problem... or the heater gives out.... your engine will crack. Besides.... to run, even a low watt heater will cost your $50~$100 over the entire winter. Anti-freeze is less than $4 from wal mart.



Plug the rear drain, or pinch the hose, and pour in 1/2 gal into each engine.... then start them, to purge out any that may have come up the exhaust. (and you can spray in your fogging oil) It's not a big deal, and takes 10 min.

 

[Killertiller]

Yes that does seem simple...

 

[Sanddune12]

I have an '02 Sportster LE with 951 and manual just says to pinch drain hose, disconnect water supply hose and pour in antifreeze until I see it in drain line, then un-pinch hose and let it drain out. I also fogged engine and cylinder. Is what I did with antifreeze not enough??? Ohio can get pretty brutal!

 

[Dr Honda]

I have an '02 Sportster LE with 951 and manual just says to pinch drain hose, disconnect water supply hose and pour in antifreeze until I see it in drain line, then un-pinch hose and let it drain out. I also fogged engine and cylinder. Is what I did with antifreeze not enough??? Ohio can get pretty brutal!

Normally... you will use 1/2 gal... but a lot will drain out. The big thing, is to make sure some anti freeze got into the Cyl's. If you went into the one of the hoses connected to the head... you will probably be fine.