did not winterize transmission/vdrive

[dremmick 0]

I winterized my mercruiser 350 mag mpi as mentioned in the owners manual, I pulled the blue plugs and filled with rv antifeeze. No where did it state to drain trasmission or v drive? Am i screwed? Im headed to the lake this weekend but scared that something in the v drive or transmission could have freeze damage. Im hoping these units are somewhat self draining.

[Joe B 17]

I dont do anything more than you did. several years running fine and this past winter was really bad.

top your fluids off

[dremmick 0]

That makes me feel a little better. But I live in the frigid tundra of ND.

[Tommywalton1974 175]

I didn't touch tranny or v-drive. I forgot. No issues. It did get down to the teens here also. In a non heated shop. No cover but no wind.

 

If that helps you breathe easy

[dremmick 0]

It does help me breathe easier. In ND we see temps in the -50's. It was in a non insulated building, but at least it was out of the wind.

[jiriki 13]

I think just top off fluids or change fluids is really the only thing to do. Changing fluids helps with getting rid of any water that might have creeped in.

[DrNate 426]

I've never winterized a boat in my life (doesn't get cold enough here), but I do know that water expands when it freezes and oil and transmission fluid do not. That is why you don't really need to "winterize" your V-drive or tranny because the only fluid in them is fluid that does not expand with cold temperatures (at least not appreciably). Only problem I could see is if you got water inside the tranny or V-drive but then you'd already be screwed before the cold hit.

 

You should be just fine

[dremmick 0]

 

The v drive does have a water chamber on top that has an oil cooling line running through it.So bassically it acts as heat exhanger. Im worried this chamber was filled with water and froze.

[Tommywalton1974 175]

That's a Walter box? So the water chamber cools that oil pipe that's in a loop?

[dremmick 0]

That's a Walter box? So the water chamber cools that oil pipe that's in a loop?

you are correct