Winterize and pump leak

[Jim McDonnell]

I winterize by removing the thermostat and running glycol anti freeze thru the system until coloured liquid comes out of the exhaust. I have never pinched the hose. I check that the muffler contains coloured liquid by opening the valve on the bottom and of course closing it. This I assume will protect the engine.

This year there is a problem as there is a leak in the water pump and when I removed the pump (quite a job getting to it) the liquid drained out. I don't know how much - it seems a lot.

The boat is on the hard. Serial # 203657. Lake Ontario sailing.

My question is: As I will not be replacing the pump until the spring - Does the engine require any further attention to protect from freeze damage ?

[Don Moyer]

Jim,

I don't see any problem related to the antifreeze draining back out of the hose leading from your pump, but without clamping the by-pass hose off (at least partially), you can't be sure how much antifreeze has actually entered the block and head - as opposed to passing directly to the manifold and out the back of the boat.

At this point, I suggest that you simply remove the drains from the cooling jacket in the block (the front drain has a plug located off to the side of the starter, and the aft drain has a cap at the end of a 6" pipe located beside the distributor). If antifreeze drains out of the block, this would be OK, and if water drains out, so much the better.

Best regards,
Don

[Jim McDonnell]

Don:

Thanks for the reply.
I removed the aft drain and anti freeze flowed out so I promptly closed it. Unfortunatly I could not get the front drain off - I kept damaging the nut and my wrenches were slipping. I opened the thermostat housing and there was antifreeze sitting in the well.
So if antifreeze comes out of what looks to be the lower of the 2 drains, can we assume that we are safe.

Jim

[Don Moyer]

Jim,

The fact that antifreeze came out of the lower drain of the block is strong evidence that the winterizing process worked.

Best regards,

Don

[Jim McDonnell]

Now that the holidays are over, I can think sailing.
Happy New Year everyone.

Now that my water pump is out - scored shaft - leaking seal - what do I need to get Night Music back in business?

Jim.

[Don Moyer]

Jim,

You have a couple options.

If you have an Oberdorfer 202M7 pump, you could order one of our water pump repair kits (http://www.moyermarine.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=CSOB_09_70) and rebuild your pump.

If you know that your pump is quite old, you may be better off to replace it with a new Oberdorfer N202M-7 (http://www.moyermarine.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=CSOB_01_62) or one of our new MMI flexible impeller pumps (http://www.moyermarine.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=CSOB_00_365). By the time a shaft becomes scored, it is frequently the case that the hole in the housing is enlarged to the point the even a new shaft will be "sloppy", and new seals and impellers do not last very long.

Best regards,

Don Moyer

[Jim McDonnell]

Thanks Don for the reply.

:) I think that the new MMI pump is the best option.
How have the reports been as to their operation ?

What other parts do I need to install ?

Jim

[Don Moyer]

Jim,

The only reports that we've received to this point have been extremely positive.

Don

[Jim McDonnell]

Don:
I like the MMI pump. What else do I need with it ?

It was a delicate manouver removing the old one - lack of space - so I would like an extender bolt.

Could you advise what is included with the pump and what is needed so that I can place an order.

Thanks.

Jim

[Don Moyer]

Jim,

The MMI pump is a direct replacement for any flexible impeller pump that you might currently have installed on your engine. We include a new flange gasket in case your old one self-destructs when you remove the old pump.

You can use the same fittings that were used in your old pump to connect your hoses.

Best regards,

Don Moyer