Winterizing Ballast Tanks????

[Eagle Lake Rebel]

I have the service advisory from MC that covers ballast tank winterizing for all 07'-08' models. Anyone that needs a copy can shoot me a PM & I'll get it to you via fax or e-mail. It is a very simple task and it is the ONLY thing I like about the ballast tanks draining out the bottom of the boat vs. out the side. Please include your e-mail address or fax # in the PM.

[Nords]

Thanks everyone it's greatly appreciated and very infomative. I hope all goes well with the winterization.

[Sodar]

Originally Posted by vision

For 07 and newer boats, use a hose and gravity to run anti-freeze into each of the 3 ballast overflow through hulls near the rub rail and run the ballast pumps on empty to suck anti-freeze through the lines.

This is how it is done at the factory. They just have a hose to pump antifreeze into the tanks and then empty them.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by vision

For 07 and newer boats, use a hose and gravity to run anti-freeze into each of the 3 ballast overflow through hulls near the rub rail and run the ballast pumps on empty to suck anti-freeze through the lines.

I like it!

[BrushyCreekXS]

Hi...first post...I just winterized my 06 XSTAR engine...it sits on a lift in my boat house for the winter, and its pretty difficult to get to the ballast tank intakes. Can I winterize the 06 model through the overflow as this thread describes for the 07?

Thanks.

[Jerseydave]

Originally Posted by BrushyCreekXS

Hi...first post...I just winterized my 06 XSTAR engine...it sits on a lift in my boat house for the winter, and its pretty difficult to get to the ballast tank intakes. Can I winterize the 06 model through the overflow as this thread describes for the 07?

Thanks.

Yours should be the same as my '05 X-star, there should be a garden hose connection behind the engine on top of the ballast manifold. I just used a piece of a garden hose and pour a/f into it while switching each pump on one at a time.

OR

You should be able to pour a/f through the overflow lines a hit empty on each switch until a/f comes out. Might have to use more a/f this way, but I'm not sure how much.

[jgarner]

Here is the procedure to winterize your ballast tank. I have a 2008 X2 and did mine today.

[BrushyCreekXS]

Thanks for the help. I am going back down this weekend to finish the job for the ballast system.

Just as a general question, I drained the water from the manifolds by pulling hoses off at the tee below the manifolds and below the transmission cooler (I did not notice a screw in plug on the underside of the manifold as I saw in a recent article), and then removed the knock sensors on both sides of the block and then replaced and sucked 3 gallons of RV antifreeze in through the main intake hose. This was sufficient to have the fluid come out the exhaust ports at the transom.

Is it necessary to drain the water first in the future or could you just use more antifreeze and displace the water versus draining it first?

Thanks.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I would check with Freddy on this.

[BrushyCreekXS]

Sorry, new to the site....who is Freddy??