Winterize with 50/50 engine coolant?

Sea-Donkey · 02-08-2010, 11:36 PM

I've had skis for several years and always just blow the water out after riding, including when putting up for winter. But the Honda owner's manual as well as the guy at the dealership says you must run 50/50 antifreeze/coolant into the engine thru the flush fitting and then shut it off. This is like what has to be done with inboard/outboard ski boats due to the amount of water they will hold in the block. Is the Honda the same way or are they being overly cautious? I'm in Mississippi where it usually only dips below 32 a couple of times a winter but this year has hit the teens several times.

itsslow98 · 02-09-2010, 12:02 AM

pink RV antifreeze works best, especially since most if not all of it is eco friendly so the little that blows out first time you put it in the water in the spring doesnt harm anything.

thomasdjames1 · 02-09-2010, 08:22 AM

The Honda as well as most new 4-strokes I think are the same way. Anyways it WILL hold water in the block, oil cooler, turbo, intercooler, and exhaust if you do not flush with antifreeze. You for sure need to fill it with antifreeze. Just use the pink kind for RV/marine use.

J-Rod · 02-09-2010, 10:01 AM

Yep, pink stuff..

Umm something else I want to throw out there...... you know 50/50 mix is just a half gallon of water and a half gallon of antifreeze right? Why not buy the regular antifreeze and mix yourself? I pay a couple of penny's for the half gallon at my house vs. the $5.00 it cost in some pre-mix. You know.

Sea-Donkey · 02-09-2010, 02:04 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I'm slowly learning the key points of going 4 stroke (still have three 2 strokes though).

teamzulu · 02-09-2010, 04:12 PM

Ditto pink RV anti freeze, non corrosive.

M. Cole · 02-09-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea-Donkey

Thanks for the info guys. I'm slowly learning the key points of going 4 stroke (still have three 2 strokes though).

Go to the sticky and under maintenance there is a good post on how to winterize. And these guys are correct on using the marine antifreeeze.

vitaly · 02-09-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea-Donkey

Thanks for the info guys. I'm slowly learning the key points of going 4 stroke (still have three 2 strokes though).

It also applies to some 2-strokes, especially your 1997 SeaDoo GTX.

TKTPLZ · 02-10-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea-Donkey

Thanks for the info guys. I'm slowly learning the key points of going 4 stroke (still have three 2 strokes though).

Isn't it a bit late to winterize? It's just about time to start riding here.

itsslow98 · 02-11-2010, 12:23 AM

hey here too, once the 40+ inches of snow melts : (