Winterization Procedure with pics - new and improved

[cab13367]

Cab - I also used a 3/8 wrench for these plugs. You sure you have the right size in your document?

Yes, a 7/16" closed end or boxed end wrench (see below) fits perfectly on the squared headed plug. And it sounds like a 3/8" open wrench fits it too. I prefer the boxed end wrench as there is no chance of slipping and possibly rounding off the corners of the square headed plug especially if the plug is stubborn and requires a lot of force to break free. But either one will work.

[Venom93corba]

Im all finished with mine thanks everyone for the great info. When I finished mine 2 weeks ago I noticed that some of the carpet was damp so I left all the hatches open. Should I leave it like that or do you you guys close everything up and put the cover on?

[cab13367]

I bought a couple of cheap 18" box fans at HD and after every outing, I leave the hatches open and run the fans overnight to dry the carpets.

I don't put the covers on during winter lay up as my garage does not get very dusty. Plus, I am always climbing in and out to look at stuff and work on winter projects.

Glad the instructions were helpful.

[DOCDRS]

Hey Al, i've heard that petroleum based lubricants are not good for the impellers and that water sol ones are better.....ky is a good brand and it's more sexier lol , i used to use vaseline and have had problems in the spring.

Also recently i've heard dryer sheets will keep the rodents away , not that i've ever had a prob but easy and cheap to do,distibute the around the boat and you will have a sweet fresh boat in the spring

Doug

[cab13367]

Doug,

The owner's manual specifically says to use Vaseline. What problems did u have in the spring and how do u know it was caused by the Vaseline?

Al

[DOCDRS]

I know it says vaseline in the manual, but when i put the impeller in that i used the vaseline it went in nice and easy but there was no updraw of water from the lake. I took it out imediately cleaned the inside of the pump and put in my spare old which had not been coated and eveything was fine. I figured somehow the vaseline was preventing a good seal...didn't make sense but i didn't have any problems till I tried the vaseline. Just my experience. i'm am one who if it works for you keep doing it, I am just passing on my experience. When that did happen i did some research into impellers and thats when i found out the petroleum based products should not be left on the impellars for extended lengths of time.
( also recommended by johnson
This is how to fit the new one
Lubricate the shaft and the inside of the pump body and the end cover. Use soap or vaseline (petroleum jelly) to help develop prime and prevent damage from dry-running the pump at initial start-up. Mount the impeller by making a pushing and twisting movement in the rotating direction. Lubricated impellers should not be stored for extended periods of time. Engine should be run after installation of a new impeller to wash out the lubrication.
These recommendations also apply to any service work on the pump and its components that require the use of lubrication inside the pump for assembly and start-up.)

This is when i switched to water based lubrication . only as an installation and removal aid

here is a johnson pump article http://www.johnson-pump.com/JPMarine...-Imp_guide.pdf


Another interesting note is that when i traded to a new v drive this fall the service tech said he doesn't remove the impeller for winterization on v drives, he only removes them when he replaces them ,totally surprised me. I asked how often and i think he said he gets 4 years out of impeller.......i was flabergasted to say the least ......mind you i have impellers that I have used 3 years and look day 1 brand new but i do take them out at winter to relax the arms. I also think having a water strainer is a must, i have yet to ever se anyarms deteriorated torn or marked on any of my impellers. I am going to talk to him again about this just to verify and will keep this updated.

[brenpire]

I just completed winterizing my Moomba for the first time by myself. THANK YOU CAB!!!! Your instructions are perfect.

Up until now I had it done by a boat mechanic. I have to say I'm still a bit nervous. I hope I got all the water out. Guess I'll find out in the spring.

I did have kind of a weird situation. When I "bumped" the starter I lost all power in the boat. It was like i tripped the main breaker. then the power came back, so I tried it again. This time a 6 inch spark/flame shot out from the positive terminal on the battery. Any idea what that was?

[cab13367]

I just completed winterizing my Moomba for the first time by myself. THANK YOU CAB!!!! Your instructions are perfect.

Up until now I had it done by a boat mechanic. I have to say I'm still a bit nervous. I hope I got all the water out. Guess I'll find out in the spring.

I did have kind of a weird situation. When I "bumped" the starter I lost all power in the boat. It was like i tripped the main breaker. then the power came back, so I tried it again. This time a 6 inch spark/flame shot out from the positive terminal on the battery. Any idea what that was?

You're welcome, glad the instructions empowered you to do it yourself. And don't worry, if you followed the instructions, then you got as much water out as the mechanic would have as he would have done the same thing.

As far as the sparking issue you experienced, I have no idea what that could have been. What boat do you have?

[cab13367]

[SIZE=2]I know it says vaseline in the manual, but when i put the impeller in that i used the vaseline it went in nice and easy but there was no updraw of water from the lake. I took it out imediately cleaned the inside of the pump and put in my spare old which had not been coated and eveything was fine. I figured somehow the vaseline was preventing a good seal...didn't make sense but i didn't have any problems till I tried the vaseline. Just my experience. i'm am one who if it works for you keep doing it, I am just passing on my experience. When that did happen i did some research into impellers and thats when i found out the petroleum based products should not be left on the impellars for extended lengths of time.

So it seems that the issue you had with Vaseline was not related to using it for storing but rather, the water pump would not draw water thru the intake and you believe this was because the impeller was coated with Vaseline.

Nevertheless, you got me curious so I called Johnson Pump today and spoke to one of their engineers. He said that putting a thin coat of Vaseline on the impeller then putting it in a ziploc bag for the winter will not hurt the impeller. This is also what it says in the Indmar manual that came with my boat. Based on those two things, I will personally continue to use Vaseline on the impeller.

I think everyone should do their own reasearch and do what they're comfortable with.

Thanks,

Al

[viking]

Another interesting note is that when i traded to a new v drive this fall the service tech said he doesn't remove the impeller for winterization on v drives, he only removes them when he replaces them ,totally surprised me. I asked how often and i think he said he gets 4 years out of impeller.......i was flabergasted to say the least ......mind you i have impellers that I have used 3 years and look day 1 brand new but i do take them out at winter to relax the arms. I also think having a water strainer is a must, i have yet to ever se anyarms deteriorated torn or marked on any of my impellers. I am going to talk to him again about this just to verify and will keep this updated.

I specifically asked my dealership twice as I was getting it serviced/winterized if they take out the impellers and they said the same thing. I thought it was because they are lazy (and maybe it is), but they say that it doesn't hurt them to stay in all winter as long as you don't run it without any water pickup. Said that if you start it and run it without water for any length of time that pretty much eats them up. And that makes sense! I had read the same thing about using vasaline but think I might just leave it in this winter and see what happens. I have a spare anyway!