Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is a repeat of my 2012 review. Please read the entire review. NO...... I cannot support the use of this product given how most users interpret it's intended use for the raw water cooled Marine Engine! The kit description does indeed use the word "Winterizer"! We associate "winterize" with freeze protection. Furthermore, we will find/see web hosted videos showing these products being used in a misnomer fashion that may put the owner's raw water cooled engine at risk of freeze damage. (please read on) In my opinion, the manufacturer (of these or similar products) would be wise to provide full disclosure and details that fully explain (a.) the Raw Water cooled I/O and I/B engine T-stat housing, (b.) the sea water "by-pass" porting, (c.) and explain to the user that most all sea water (raw water cooled engine) is being directed towards and out the exhaust system. (sea water = antifreeze when the kits are being used) As it is, the user may inadvertantly believe that when he/she sees kit supplied antifreeze exit the exhaust, that his/her engine will be filled with "un-diluted" antifreeze, and that their engine will be protected against freeze damage. This is not true! Let me explain: With any Raw Water Cooled Marine I/B or I/O engine, only a portion of the supplied sea water is required for actual engine cooling demands, compared to that which a sea water pump is capable of supplying (for both engine and exhaust demands). The "porting" within the T-stat housing allows for a proportunate division of sea water. .... The engine circulating pump charges the engine block with the amount of coolant (sea water) required via T-stat's open position. In other words, the T-stat holds back coolant on an "As Needed" or "On Demand" basis. .... The greater balance of coolant (sea water) is being sent to and out the exhaust system. In simple terms; this means that more sea water (antifreeze when the kit is being used) is actually sent to and out the exhaust system, compared to what actually enters the engine block/heads. (until we reach engine loads that require greater cooling demands). This is pretty much the case with any Raw Water Cooled I/O or I/B marine engine. The warming up of the engine in order for the thermostat to open prior, is also a misnomer, and in particular when these kits are introducing the antifreeze during low RPM and no engine loads. Now we connect up the Camco Kit antifreeze container: Again...... keep in mind that during this rather short operation/duration, only a portion of the limited 4-5 gallons of Camco Kit antifreeze actually makes it's way into the engine cooling system. The greater portion of the Camco Kit antifreeze is going right on out the exhaust system (just as the sea water does)! The user must understand that when he or she sees antifreeze exit the exhaust, this is NOT an indicator that un-diluted antifreeze made it's way into and out of the engine block and cylinder heads. Any antifreeze that has made it's way into the engine block has likely become diluted from the residual seawater! If the user is not educated regarding this........, then he or she may be left with a "False-Positive", so to speak! As said... by the time he or she finishes up, any Camco Kit antifreeze that DID make it into the engine, may have now become diluted by the residual engine block sea water. However, if we begin with a completely drained engine block, the liklihood of antifreeze dilution is greatly reduced. These kits are intrinsically an OK idea if in the hands of a professional Marine Mechanic. The Marine Mechanic will likely drain everything afterwards anyway. However, in the wrong hands, and when the user is lacking the understanding of the above info, it can leave them with freeze damage come spring time. For those who insist on using these kits, probe your drain ports and drain completely afterwards, and you should be OK. OEM service manuals will typically suggest that we completely drain the engine components of all sea water during the winterizing procedure. The need for the rust inhibiting properties of antifreeze (during the lay up) are greatly exaggerated, IMO. The amount of rust/corrosion that could occur during the lay up are paled by comparison to that which occurs during the normal season's usage. If you're after that "feel good" feeling, then do it, but drain again afterwards. Otherwise, winterize according to your OEM manual. Remember.... just plain air will not freeze, expand, and crack our expensive cast iron components.