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Winterizing 454 with Bravo IO Problems

ehlien

ehlien

Regular Contributor
"I need some advice from those

"I need some advice from those out there more experienced that me. Boat ran fine all summer. Pulled it out to winterize using the gavity fed antifreeze method through the outdrive however, when I stated the motor and fed it through the water muffs it appeared the engine was not drawing any in and it was running right out the intake holes in the nose of the outdrive. Subsequently I pulled the thermostat housing and filled the block with anifreeze and poured it down each of the 4 hoses attached until they were full and antifreeze was running out of the open exhaust ports and intake holes in the bottom of the outdrive. First question is what's up with that and secondly, am I good to go for the winter?
Thanks all!!"
 
I drained all the water from o

I drained all the water from one side of the block but cannot get to the one on the other side because it is so low in the engine compartment and blocked out by the oil cooler. That why I cranked the engine a few times after I filled the block. Not sure about the question on the antifreeze supply? I used a gavity feed kit. You fill the contained with about 5 gallons and it has a valve on it that feeds a line that feeds the intake muffs. There is a vent cap like on a gas like on a gas can you fill at the gas station. I had that open so the container was vented and the anti freeze flowed very freely.
 
Since you are in the Detroit a

Since you are in the Detroit area you need to open that one draincock to let the water out or face the possibility of a cracked block in the spring.
 
"If I get that one drain open

"If I get that one drain open will I be good to go?

And still,can someone answer why can't I get antifreeze to draw in through the outdrive?????"
 
John:

I'm not that know

John:

I'm not that knowledgable on Bravo drives. Is the impeller worn? When was it last changed? Are you sure you don't have a seawater inlet instead of the OD leg?
 
If your drive has two sets of

If your drive has two sets of intake holes you would need to block off the nose set or the anti-freeze won't draw. You will just pull air.

The other possibility is you may have a thru-hull pickup that feeds your belt-driven pump. In this case your drive pickup holes will do nothing.
Bravo's do not have a pump impeller in the leg. The belt-driven pump is down very low on the starbaord side.

Rod
 
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