Dewinterizing with External Antifreeze Access

[KyDan]

If there was any water in your pump or strainer it's gonna be bad when it freezes unless you suck it dry or pump in a little pink stuff.

[Gumpster808]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

So, if someone winterized using only the city water connection then there is still water in the pump and pump strainer. Correct? My friend swears the dealer only pushed AF in through the city connection.

Yes there would be since city water comes in after the pump.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

So, if someone winterized using only the city water connection then there is still water in the pump and pump strainer. Correct? My friend swears the dealer only pushed AF in through the city connection.

Correct.

Since the pump has a built in check valve that is 'supposed' to keep the city water from back-flowing into the fresh tank (I say supposed because we have seen many reports of them failing) then no antifreeze added via the city water connection will make its way back through into the pump and the suction strainer.

Many folks simply pump the pump and the suction strainer dry by running the pump for a bit once the fresh tank is drained before adding antifreeze via the city water connection but I've seen too many pumps and suction strainers busted from still having water in them to chance that.

I always pull antifreeze into the pump/suction strainer.

[The Evil Twin]

Thanks. That is what I thought. I'm savvy with hydronics and pumping systems and just couldn't fathom how it could work that way. He doesn't even know where his pump is to look. I told him he needs to get out there and make sure the strainer bowl is pink. Trying to meet up with him and show him how to do it. It takes longer to drive to the dealer than to just do it.