
Off Season Storage/Re-commission Page 1 of 5 08/01/05
Indmar Products – Storage and Winterization Procedures
NOTE: Please read the entire procedure before starting.
Storage or winter lay-up requires special preparation to prevent damage to the power package.
Since winter lay-up is an annual event, it is wise to perform all of the annual maintenance at this
time.
Without proper preparation, storage for long periods of time may cause internal parts of the
engine and transmission to rust because of lack of lubrication. Or, if the boat is stored in below
freezing temperatures, water in the engine may freeze and cause damage. Damage resulting
from improper storage is not covered by Indmar’s limited warranty.
WARNING
Because of the complexity of preparing your engine for winter storage, as well as
the possibility of catastrophic engine damage from freezing water in the engine, we
recommend that you have your dealer accomplish this task. Any damage caused
by improper winterization/storage is not covered by the product warranty!
To do a complete winterization, you MUST be able to run the engine and bring it up to operating
temperature. To do this, your boat must be in the water or be attached to a water supply via a
hose and suitable adaptor that will allow an uninterrupted supply of water to the engine.
NOTE
This procedure covers only the power package portion of your boat. Consult your boat
owners manual or boat manufacturer for specific boat winterizing instructions.
Before starting you will need the following supplies:
Sta-bil Gasoline Stabilizer
6 quarts of Pennzoil 15W40 Marine Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Fuel Filter
4-6 ounces of light weight oil in a pump-type oil can. (SAE 10W or Marvel Mystery Oil or
Fogging Oil)
1 can WD40 or other Anti-Corrosion Spray
Transmission Oil (As Required)
For In-Line and Hurth V-Drive transmissions use Pennzoil Dexron 3 ATF
For Walters V-Drive use SAE 30W engine oil
Sierra Brand Anti Freeze (as Required For Closed Cooling System Engines Only)
Waterproof Marine Multipurpose Grease
Short Piece of Stiff Wire (Coat hanger wire)
Anti-Freeze Tester (Closed Cooling Engines Only)
Pipe Thread Sealant

Off Season Storage/Re-commission Page 2 of 5 08/01/05
Fuel System Treatment
If the boat is to be placed in storage with fuel in the fuel tank(s) that does not contain alcohol:
Fill the fuel tank(s) with fresh fuel that does not contain alcohol and a sufficient amount of Sta-Bil
gasoline stabilizer to treat the entire tank. Follow the instructions on the container.
If the boat is to be placed in storage with fuel in the fuel tank(s) that does contain alcohol (if fuel
without alcohol is not available): Fuel tank(s) should be drained as completely as possible and
Sta-Bil gasoline stabilizer added to any fuel remaining in the tank. Follow the instructions on the
container.
Replace the fuel filter.
Make sure the boat is in the water or an uninterrupted supply of water is supplied to the engine.
Start the engine and check the fuel filter for fuel leaks. If leaks are found, stop the engine
immediately and repair them. Recheck filter installation.
Start the engine and operate it at Idle RPM until it reaches normal operating temperature. ( If
using a hose and adapter, open the faucet to approximately ½ flow to avoid over-cooling the
engine at low RPM) Run the engine for at least 15 minutes to ensure that the fuel stabilizer
enters the engine’s fuel system.
WARNING
Running the engine with the flame arrestor removed increases the possibility of
fire or explosion if an engine backfire should occur and gasoline fumes are
present. If the engine is operated without the flame arrestor secured, extreme care
must be taken to ensure that the engine compartment is well ventilated and that no
fuel leaks are present.
Carefully loosen the flame arrestor and lift it far enough to insert the end of the pump type oil-
can or fogging oil can. Pump or spray 4-6 ounces of oil into the throat of the carburetor or
throttle body. Shut off the engine. Reattach the flame arrestor.
Change the oil and oil filter.
Loosen all accessory drive belts. Check their condition. Replace if cracked or damaged.
Drain the seawater section of the cooling system.
All Engines
Drain the water from the exhaust manifolds. On older engines you have to remove the drain
plugs from the rear of each manifold. On newer engines, a hose with a quick disconnect fitting
connects the manifolds. Uncouple the hose and drain the manifolds. We suggest leaving the
drain plugs out or the hose uncoupled till spring.
Putting the drain plugs in a plastic bag and attaching it to the steering wheel of the boat acts as
a good reminder when you re-commission the boat in the spring.

Off Season Storage/Re-commission Page 3 of 5 08/01/05
Remove both hoses from the Sea-water pump on the front of the engine. Drain the water from
the hoses.
Remove the raw water pump impeller from the pump housing. Lubricate the impeller with
Vaseline and store it in an air-tight bag. Replace the impeller if it shows signs of damage or
wear.
Remove the hose from the lower (rear) end of the transmission cooler. Inspect the cooler for any
debris like weeds, bits of plastic bag etc.
On Walters V-Drive equipped units, remove the two small square headed drain plugs from the
front and rear of the upper housing. Look for the words “Water Drain” on the housing. We
suggest putting the plugs in a plastic bag and attaching it to the steering wheel of the boat as a
reminder for spring recomissioning.
On unite equipped with the Ski-Vee V-drive transmission assembly, remove one of the hoses
that is attached to the heat exchanger at the rear of the V-drive to drain water from the heat
exchanger and hoses.
On engines equipped with a fuel canister, remove the hose from the lower rear of the canister to
allow the canister to drain.
Raw Water Cooled Engines
Remove the petcock or drain plug from each side of the engine. We suggest removing the
petcocks completely, not just opening the petcock drain valve. Take a short piece of stiff wire
and poke it around in the drain hole to ensure that any rust scale is broken up and the engine
drains completely. Some engines have a knock sensor(s) located in the drain location. The
knock sensor(s) must be carefully removed to drain the block. We suggest that you put the drain
plugs in a plastic bag and attach it to the steering wheel of the boat to act as a reminder during
re-commissioning in the spring.
Disconnect from the water-circulating pump the large diameter hose that runs from the
circulating pump to the thermostat housing. Make sure all of the water drains from the hose.
Closed Cooled Engines
Remove the raw water inlet and outlet hoses from the seawater side of the heat exchanger.
Check the level of the coolant on the fresh water side of the heat exchanger. Also use the anti-
freeze tester to test the strength of the mixture.
We recommend a 50:50 mix of Sierra Anti-Freeze and water, which gives protection down to
minus 50 degrees F. If the coolant level is low, add a sufficient amount of coolant/water mix to
fill the heat exchanger. When warm, the coolant level should be approximately ¾” below the
filler neck.

Off Season Storage/Re-commission Page 4 of 5 08/01/05
If the coolant in the heat exchanger is not of sufficient strength, we suggest taking your boat to
your dealer and having the coolant replaced. This is not an easy task and it is best done by a
professional.
Drive Train Preparation
Change the transmission fluid in the Hurth In-Line or V-Drive Transmission following the
instructions in your Hurth Transmissions Owner’s Manual. Add sufficient Pennzoil Dexron 3
automatic transmission fluid as required to bring the dipstick level between the full and add
marks.
On Walter V-Drive units, change the oil in the V-Drive per the instructions in the Walter Owners
Manual. Use SAE 30 Motor Oil and fill to the proper level.
Remove the attaching hardware from the propeller shaft coupling. Separate the flanges and
coat the surfaces with Waterproof Marine Multipurpose grease.
General Power Package Preparation
Clean dirt, grime and grease from the painted surfaces of the engine and drive train.
Touch-up painted areas of the engine and transmission.
Lubricate throttle and shift linkages and cables with Waterproof Marine Grease.
Spray any unpainted parts with WD40 or other anti-corrosion lubricant.
Disconnect the battery cables from the battery and charge it fully. If you remove the battery from
the boat, store it in a cool and dry place.
Leave the engine box cover propped open about 2” to help ventilate the engine compartment.
Re-Commissioning the Boat After Storage
Charge and install the battery in the boat. Make sure the terminals are clean and tight.
Coat the threads of the manifold drains plugs with pipe sealant and Install the manifold drain
plugs in the back of the exhaust manifold or reconnect the exhaust manifold drain hoses.
Coat the threads of the block drains or petcock drains with pipe sealant. Install the drain plugs or
petcock drains in the engine block. Some engines have a knock sensor located in one of the
drain holes. If your engine has one of these, the knock sensor must be reinstalled without the
use of any thread sealant. Do not over tighten the knock sensor. The torque specification for the
knock sensor is 14-16 lb ft.
On Walter V-Drive units, coat the threads on the drain plugs with pipe sealant and reinstall the
drain plugs on the front and rear of the transmission housing.

Off Season Storage/Re-commission Page 5 of 5 08/01/05
Reinstall the seawater pump impeller. Re-attach the inlet and outlet hoses to the sea water
pump.
Reattach the large diameter hose to the water-circulating pump.
On models equipped with a fuel canister on the engine, reinstall the hose on the lower portion of
the canister.
Reattach the water hose to the transmission cooler.
On closed cooling models, reattach the seawater inlet and outlet hoses.
Install a new set of spark plugs in the engine.
Tighten the accessory drive belts to the proper tension.
Check the condition of the distributor cap and rotor and replace if they are worn, damaged or
corroded.
If the fuel tank was drained, fill tank with fresh fuel that does not contain alcohol.
Check all fluid levels on engine and drive train.
Check the engine compartment and bilge for nesting animals or empty nests. Clean as
necessary.
Check the alignment between the output flange on the transmission and the prop shaft flange. If
the maximum feeler gauge that can slip between the flange faces at any point is .003”, the unit
is properly aligned. If a thicker gauge can be inserted at any point, the engine must be
readjusted until proper alignment is obtained.
With the boat in the water or a hose and adapter installed, cycle the key switch on then off 2-3
times before cranking the engine to allow the fuel pump to prime the fuel lines.
Start the engine. If you experience a no-start condition, do not crank the engine for more than
30 seconds without allowing a two-minute cool-down period.
When the engine starts, keep a close watch on the gauge readings. Check all of the hoses and
drain plugs for leaks. Listen for abnormal noises. Let the engine run long enough to reach
normal operating temperature and check for leaks again. If no leaks are found …
GO BOATING … HAVE FUN!!!!
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Winterization & Storage Procedure - Indmar 5.7L
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Description
Discover our comprehensive winterization guide tailored for boats equipped with the Indmar 5.7L engine. This invaluable resource offers detailed instructions to effectively winterize your boat, promoting longevity and averting costly repairs.
Our guide encompasses six different models:
- Vortec 5.7L MPI
- LTR 5.7L DI
- Monsoon 5.7L MPI
- Monsoon 5.7L DI
- LM7 5.7L MPI
- L59 5.7L
By adhering to our step-by-step instructions, checklists, and diagrams, both professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts can confidently prepare their boats for winter storage. Avoid the risk of improper winterization leading to expensive repairs in the future. Invest in this essential guide to save time and money.