Winterizing a diesel

[canadianseamonkey]

If laying up your diesel for winter, what kind of additive are you using in your diesel fuel? Don Casey suggests using a Biocide to prevent bacteria growth. Which brands are worth buying?

Thanks for the help.

[TrueBlue]

I use Racor Biocide additive in my diesel tanks at winter layup. Can't compare with others since it's the only brand I've used. The engine's always started right up - no problems to report after four winters.

[canadianseamonkey]

Thanks TB, that's the one I was just reading about.

[saurav16]

How do u get antifreeze into the raw water intake of the engine for winter?

[canadianseamonkey]

Originally Posted by saurav16

How do u get antifreeze into the raw water intake of the engine for winter?

Sea Water Circuit
Close the thru hull seacock. Remove the raw water intake hose from the sea ****. Place the end of this hose into a 5-gallon bucket of clean fresh water. Before starting the engine, check the zinc pencil found in the primary heat exchanger on the engine and clean or replace it, if required. Clean your sea strainer, if one is installed in the inside of the hull.


Start the engine and allow the raw water pump to draw the fresh water through the system. When the bucket empties, stop the engine and refill the bucket with an antifreeze solution slightly stronger than needed for winter freeze protection in your area.


Start the engine and allow all of this mixture to be drawn through the raw water system. Once the bucket empties, stop the engine. This anti-freeze mixture should protect your raw water circuit from freezing during winter lay-up, as well as providing corrosion protection.


Remove the impeller from your raw water pump (some antifreeze mixture will accompany it, so catch it in a bucket). Examine the impeller. Acquire a replacement if needed and a cover gasket. Do not replace the impeller back into the pump until the Spring commissioning.

[sailingdog]

Also, might want to leave the impeller someplace obvious, like with the ignition keys, to remind you that it isn't installed. Starting the engine without the impeller is a good way to fry it.

[Rockter]

If it's a raw water cooled motor the engine must be hot or the thermostat will be shut and you will not get any of the anti-freeze into the barrel cooling jackets or the cylinder heads.

It is not easy to do.

methinks the best way is simply to drain the jackets completely, one by one and blow the water out of the gearbox cooling channels.

I neglected my own advice two years ago. the result is a cracked block, gently weeping out.

Remember... that thermostat must be open!!!!!

[stevemac00]

To that person asking about anti-freeze... Assuming you have a fresh water cooled engine this might help as it's easy. I close the intake seacock (yes close) remove the top of the Groco strainer and pour it in until the engine pumps out pink. What could be easier?

[Rockter]

With a cold, raw water cooled motor, it all gets spat out the exhaust.

[wumhenry]

Originally Posted by canadianseamonkey

Sea Water Circuit

Remove the impeller from your raw water pump (some antifreeze mixture will accompany it, so catch it in a bucket). Examine the impeller. Acquire a replacement if needed and a cover gasket. Do not replace the impeller back into the pump until the Spring commissioning.

Why do you remove the impeller when winterizing, instead of leaving it in the pump till spring? Will immersion in antifreeze ruin an impeller?