Went to drain the anti-freeze and found the block to be...

[Blue Ski]

dry, at least on the starboard side. I have a PCM EX343 Cat with a heater. Winterizing last fall was not my first rodeo, but it was my first with this engine and with a heater. I disconnected the heater hoses, blew out the water, and drained the block. I used a bucket under the drain plug to see how much water I caught to ensure I put in enough anti-freeze and put in more anti-freeze than the water I took out... there was more than plenty in the exhaust pipe when I was done. I attached a hose to the transmission cooler and sucked the anti-freeze from a 5 gallon bucket. It did suck up more slowly than my old boat... not sure why.

Trying to be responsible for launching the boat, last night I went to drain the anti-freeze from the block and pulled lowest plug on the starboard side, it was dry. I found the same condition in the exhaust mainfold. I did find some in the exhaust system corner, but it was only about 1/2 inch of depth in 5 gallon bucket. By this time the Mrs. said that if I wanted her help putting the engine cover back in the boat it was now or never so I closed up shop for the night.

Could it be that the slow suck up let most of the anti-freeze run to the exhaust or would it tend to congregate in the heater? I welcome your thoughts.

[Quinner]

As long as you drained all the water you should be fine. How much a/f did you add??

To do the suck up method properly you need to drain all points, 2 @ block, 1 @ J tube, 2 @ manifolds (unless the cats change that??), 1 @ trans cooler and the heater core as you mentioned.

After everything is drained then you can run off the bucket, I would be prepared with 5-6 gallons of A/F to fill everything, running until you see color exiting the exhaust.

[Blue Ski]

I drained all of the points, hoses, etc. The cats create 4 drain points on the manifolds vs. the old 2. I used 4 gallons and had a plenty coming out of the exhaust. I stuck a 5 gallong bucket under the exhaust pipe when I did it and it held 1/2 gallon. There was also a ton sitting in the exhaust pipe. The boat was in an insulated and attached garage, so I am not worried in the least, just surprised to open one of drains on the block to find nothing.

[Quinner]

That is strange, did you implode an impeller recently?? No fluid in block would lead one to think you have something blocking the supply to the block. I would run on the hose and then check the block again for water.

[Blue Ski]

That is a good idea. The boat ran fine and temp was consistent last fall, but anything can happen at any time. Thanks.

[Blue Ski]

I remembered another trick to use, drop a little binding soap in the water pump. Before long, the water behind the boat should have suds. I will still drain the block to ensure water is reaching all parts, but that can be a good check at the start of a season and for those that do not pull their impeller out, can be a good way to get it moving again in the spring.