Throwing out a winterization idea. Support me or shoot me down please...

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Okay guys, I just had a revelation...well, maybe. So i was thinking of ways to winterize my ski (787) since everybody is always asking. So on the 787 it has that water cooling exit on the back of the cylinders that T's into one single line and then goes under the engine and out a little hole by the exhaust. I usually pull that line off the rear of the ski and tie it up high so the coolant gets trapped in there, but would it be possible to just put the shop vac on the end of that line and just suck up all of the water out of the cylinders? It sounds plausible to me but i dont know if it would get all or "enough" of the water out. Just a thought from a chronic overthinker...

 

[smc0922]

I've never touched a 787 but is that the lowest point in the water jacket? And do all passages lead there? I'm skeptical that both of those questions can be answered with "yes". However, you do have a great point with the shop vac. I'll raise you one more and just put an air compressor hose on the water inlet line and blow away until no more mist comes out of the line you speak of

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

I've never touched a 787 but is that the lowest point in the water jacket? And do all passages lead there? I'm skeptical that both of those questions can be answered with "yes". However, you do have a great point with the shop vac. I'll raise you one more and just put an air compressor hose on the water inlet line and blow away until no more mist comes out of the line you speak of

Those were my concerns as well really...i dont really want to send excessive pressure into the engine. Just thinking of something that could do not really any harm

 

[Dr Honda]

You would have to pull the head off to suck out the water that would cause damage. (to make sure) RV antifreeze is only $3 gal... and you only need 1/2gal. It's cheaper, and easier to pour it in.

If you just use a vac/blow on the hoses... you won't have a visual if the water is actually out. That mistake could cost you an engine.

I don't bother with plugging, clamping... or doing it the way they say. I just take the top head hose off, and put a hose with a funnle on it... and pour it in.

Then... I start the engine, to do the fogging. That will push out any extra moisture.

 

[smc0922]

Those were my concerns as well really...i dont really want to send excessive pressure into the engine. Just thinking of something that could do not really any harm

It's not so much the pressure as it is the velocity of the air running through the circuit.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

I actually use a sucker tool and the air compressor to suck the water out. Then I antifreeze and use that hose to recapture it. I also blow on the clear hose with the AF in there to make sure it all mixes well and there isnt any blockage in the system.