Name:   au67 - Subject:   Cold Winter effect ???? Date:   2/27/2014 5:48:29 PM

Several years ago I put my inboard/outboard in the water after storing for the winter.  I had winterized it as I normally do and expected no problems.  She cranked fine and sounded normal.  As I always do, I double checked before heading out. Upon raising the engine cover with the engine still running, I saw I was taking on water from somewhere and the bilge pump was on active duty.  Naturally, I put the boat back on the trailer and pulled her out.  To cut to the chase, a freeze plug had been pushed out over the winter because one of the petcocks (I have a total of six) had clogged with some rust and some water had not been drained.  In hindsight, I should have run a wire up in the petcock to check for such an event.  I was lucky and suffered no major engine damage because most of the water had been drained (but not all).  I had the freeze plug reinstalled and everything has been fine since.  As OSMS has said, you'll know something when you put her in the water.  Good luck.