What would happen if you forgot to winterise?

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hennypenny

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As the title suggests - out of interest what will have happened to my engine over the winter as I didn't flush the system through with inhibitor - I forgot and thought I would get round to it at some point but didn't.
Boat is ashore on the Orwel and the engine is a Volvo Penta MD2020.
I have a heater on board set to frost protection but what happens if you have not done the inhibitor?
Thanks!
 
hennypenny said:
As the title suggests - out of interest what will have happened to my engine over the winter as I didn't flush the system through with inhibitor - I forgot and thought I would get round to it at some point but didn't.
Boat is ashore on the Orwel and the engine is a Volvo Penta MD2020.
I have a heater on board set to frost protection but what happens if you have not done the inhibitor?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Nothing.
 
Inhibitor is meant to reduce (not stop) the rate of corrosion of the waterways. Corrosion is a slow process, and the odd winter missed makes very little difference. As PVB says, its been a mild winter so the chances of frost damage to the engine, which is usually terminal for an older unit on economic grounds are very slight. But there is time for a 'beast from the east' to roll in yet before the winter is through, so at least either drain it or get some anti freeze into it while you still have an engine.
 
If you fresh water cooling system still contains antifreeze from last year then it should be fine ?
 
I never winterised any boat I had in UK .... and never had any problem. Even when temps dipped to -ve on odd days ......

But here in Baltic where we have long periods of much colder (well for some reason this winter is more like UK !!) - its important as such temps can cause any water left in engine / H/E to freeze and possibly do damage.

Back in 2011 - even though neat anti-freeze had been run through engine and exhaust - it blew the core plugs .... luckily no other damage.
 
We had our boat in Holland for a few years, where she was kept in fresh water over the winter. I was advised by the local yard to:

a) Completely drain all the water from the fresh water tank and system, including the boiler.
b) Empty the head system completely and fill with cheap vegetable oil.
c) Pump antifreeze through the wet exhaust until its coming out the back.
d) Drain and fill the entire inner cooling circuit with antifreeze.

Failing to do a), c), d), could be extremely expensive, failing to do b), could sink the boat.
I asked the locals in Brittany, where we are now, and they thought I was nuts.

I can say from experience that if you leave that vegetable oil in too long, it will hydrogenize and turn into margarine. This can result in a great deal of foul language. I use antifreeze now.
 
Fortunately the current winter has once again been very mild . Frosts have been modest.
I have done nothing more than you and the boat was out from mid October to mid February.


I have never done any more than drain off the domestic water and put frost protection heaters on (controlled by thermostats set to cut in around 5 degrees C ). My only loss to date has been a shower head . At the same time the boat was trapped in 4 inches of ice.
Greater care possibly required with a boat out of the water if severe frost should occur.
 
hennypenny said:
As the title suggests - out of interest what will have happened to my engine over the winter as I didn't flush the system through with inhibitor - I forgot and thought I would get round to it at some point but didn't.
Boat is ashore on the Orwel and the engine is a Volvo Penta MD2020.
I have a heater on board set to frost protection but what happens if you have not done the inhibitor?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

What will happen is that you will be able to get sailing much more quickly, without having to faff about with your engine :)
 
People do tend to forget the 'bog' ..... and that's simple to sort ...

I have the Royal suite ... and when I see price of service kits - I am doubly careful I take care of it ...

I pour about 1/2 litre neat A/F into the bowl and then pump out most leaving a little behind ... it doesn't hurt the pumps or anything.
 
Slightly puzzled as the MD2020 is a fresh water cooled engine, so the engine itself should have a coolant mix in which includes inhibitors and only needs replacing on an occasional basis (like every 3years?). If you’re thinking about the raw water system, some folks do run antifreeze through for the winter but a fair number of people don’t bother. All largely irrelevant in the UK this year anyhow with the mild winter.
 
duncan99210 said:
Slightly puzzled as the MD2020 is a fresh water cooled engine, so the engine itself should have a coolant mix in which includes inhibitors and only needs replacing on an occasional basis (like every 3years?). If you’re thinking about the raw water system, some folks do run antifreeze through for the winter but a fair number of people don’t bother. All largely irrelevant in the UK this year anyhow with the mild winter.
Click to expand...

If you have an indirect cooled engine - then just make sure the A/F mix is good. But it is advisable to drain of the raw water side .. and / or run A/F through to at least protect the exhaust side ...
 
What we need to know is how long e inhibiting effect lasts. A quick google didn't give me any answers, though some car preparations seem to be 'for life'. The suggestion that you would be ok for a few years sounds reasonable, though I have always changed yearly. When re-commissioning, it will presumably be necessary to replace the rubber bits, which will be distorted by now without use.
 
johnalison said:
What we need to know is how long e inhibiting effect lasts. A quick google didn't give me any answers, though some car preparations seem to be 'for life'. The suggestion that you would be ok for a few years sounds reasonable, though I have always changed yearly. When re-commissioning, it will presumably be necessary to replace the rubber bits, which will be distorted by now without use.
Click to expand...

How often do you change coolant in your car ?
 
Doubt you'll have any problems. The reason for flushing the sea water side with fresh water and inhibitor is to get rid of the salt to stop it corroding the inners away over the winter. If there was some inhibitor in the fresh water cooling side that should be fine. Make sure you check your water pump impeller before you restart in case it has come to bits - probably unlikely but definitely worth a quick check.
 
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