How to prevent cold weather damage to outboard

[RMT]

Hi

I have a 200 opti xs on my rib which is moored in the marina. After each use I connect the flush device with the outboard fully lifted and run engine with fresh water connected for a couple of minutes then leave it in the fully raised position. Is this at risk of trapping water in the block with the chance of freezing ? Is it worth after flushing then lowering the outboard in the water(so as to drain water out?) then lift back up so its not left in the water?

Many Thanks in advance

[Dry Run]

Yes that would be a sensible thing to do. It might make semse to add some anti-freeze to the water you use to flush through (if that's possible) just for extra protection in the winter months.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Dry Run

It might make semse to add some anti-freeze to the water you use to flush through (if that's possible) just for extra protection in the winter months.

Do you pour much antifreeze into the sea at your facility, Dry Run?

I guess you don't. I hope that bloke doesn't either.

The leg won't drain ALL the fresh water when lowered on a mooring, so when he lifts it again it will contain some fresh/brackish water. The head would be flushed and fresh though. Personally, I'd rather have saltwater in the leg than fresh, frost wise.

[C-NUMB]

There are a few opinions about this subject.

Here in the north, most boaters, typically fishermen, tends to keep the rig down in the water(or sometimes, actually in thin ice also). The point is that the seawater transfer heat much better than air, so when the rig is in the water it will not freeze. Anyway as the rig is straight down, there will not be much water catched/Trapped in the area above waterline.
Off course there is a limit to everything.

When on trailer, i would definitely tilt the engine up and down a few times, there will be water left in the rig if only trimmed up for ones.

Antifreeze will certainly do no harm, even though i only used it on inboard engines. Hate to admit but the season is very soon over

[Dry Run]

[QUOTE=willk;426592]Do you pour much antifreeze into the sea at your facility, Dry Run?

None at all as it happens, but then all our boats here are winterized and dry stacked so not much need.

[RMT]

Thanks for the info. Am i correct in thinking its the water left in the engine block that is at danger of freezing and that water needs the leg fully lowered to enable this water to drain?

Thanks in advance Richard

[Searider]

Definitely down. Afloat or ashore.

Your manual should state this.