D4-300 Coolant Change

[Gin]

I'm due for a coolant flush and change on my 2019 R31. I'm going to do it myself for the first time. I have a couple of questions for those who have traveled this path ahead of me.

First, I know the Volvo spec calls for 3.4 US gallons of coolant. That's without the loop in our boats that runs out of the block to the water heater, the bus heater, and back. How much additional coolant will I need for that loop?

Second, I plan to follow the steps that Brian Brown has laid out in past posts--particularly this one: http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.ph...&sid=5c44f7f71faaf4705414cbf3ecf5da53#p136562

Any added tips or traps from anyone who has changed the coolant on a D4?

I'm wondering in particular what folks have used to power flush the loop that runs to the water heater, etc, and back to the engine. Maybe an electric transfer pump? Or just an inexpensive hand pump like those Harbor Freight always stocks? Any unexpected complications (like the heater hoses being super stubborn to get off the valves connected to the engine block)?

Thanks in advance for whatever added info anyone has.

Gini

 

[JeffreyAC77]

How often is this recommended on the D4-300?

thanks,

 

[Gin]

Every 400 hrs or two years (although the manual requires some interpretation to get there -- see the thread linked above).

Gini

 

[JeffreyAC77]

Thank you.

 

[scross]

Following this thread with interest. Have never changed and of the fluids myself, I’m getting motivated by the $750 fee charged by a PNW Cutwater dealer to do the work. Even discounting 4 gallons of Volvo Penta VCS coolant ($152 for 4 gallons at Marine Parts Source) that’s almost $600 for labor. That kind of expense for a 4 to 5 hour project has my attention.

 

[JeffreyAC77]

Other than changing the coolant, a qualified mechanic should be able to change out your oil and fuel filters with fresh oil in no more than 1.5 hours. There are great videos on the process on Youtube that I follow and do them myself (saves quite a bit of money once you buy the supplies).

 

[Mike and Sarah]

Nothing wrong in changing fluids (engine oil, trans oil of coolant) ahead of schedule. This from the info and thumb drive given out at the last RT Rendezvous. D4 320 coolant change every 4 years 2000 hours. Coming from an automotive repair background with extremely long coolant change intervals. I would like to understand the reasoning for what seems like a short interval on the Volvo. Any input would be great thanks.

 

[Gin]

Other than changing the coolant, a qualified mechanic should be able to change out your oil and fuel filters with fresh oil in no more than 1.5 hours. There are great videos on the process on Youtube that I follow and do them myself (saves quite a bit of money once you buy the supplies)

I work a bit more slowly (ok ok, a lot!) than a qualified mechanic. I don’t time myself because I don’t want to know. But, I’d guess:
- 1.5 to 2 hours to set up, change oil, change oil filters, and then clean up (including dumping oil into recycling drums at the marina)
- 1.0 hours to change fuel filters
- 1.0 hours to change transmission oil and filters, plus a bit for set up and clean up if I’m not doing it at the same time as the engine oil
- X.0 !*#!@^%!! hs for the impeller change. I won’t even put a number on it! Too unpredictably time-consuming. It’s getting easier with each change, but it still is a bugaboo. For me, anyway. I think I finally have an impeller puller that will work well, not just sorta ok like my first one first one. Many a DIYer has hand and upper body strength that makes it much easier. But I don’t. So getting it out is 3/4’s of the battle. Getting it back in is the other 3/4’s (it’s a job and a half for me). Instead of counting on strength, I bank on my wits, and those get weaker with each passing year too! Not fair, but that’s how it is. Still I’ve managed the impeller change three times now, with laudable success. I’m counting on the fourth being the charm in terms of it being something more pleasant than a full time swearing match. So with the upcoming fourth impeller change, I’m going to predict 1.0 hrs (knocking on wood as I write that). Optimism springs eternal.

And my coolant change will be a new adventure. Sounds like a 1 hr job if I’m all set up and have the right tools. With the exception of warming the engine up with flush water in the system, and then letting it cool before draining and adding the coolant. That’s likely to at least double the time. Otherwise, I’ve got my fingers crossed that it is comparable to changing the oil and filters time wise.

Gini

 

[Gin]

Every 400 hrs or two years (although the manual requires some interpretation to get there -- see the thread linked above).

Hey all. My earlier answer turns out not to be Volvo’s answer. I was answering both based on the thread I linked to as well as my memory. I think my memory was tainted from owning a R27 with the D3 engine in it.

Volvo’s maintenance protocol lists coolant change at “48 months or every 2000 hours whichever occurs first.” The local Volvo dealer handed out a sheet to several of us who attended a D4/D6 maintenance seminar there last spring (thanks Patrick Norris!). The local dealer specifies a coolant change at that same 48 months/2000 hrs interval. (And also specifies to replace the compressor/supercharger oil at that time, although Volvo specifies 48 months/800 hrs for that).

I’m sure a coolant change every two years is peace of mind for anyone who doesn’t like such a long interval. But Volvo doesn’t require it, and I was wrong about that.

Gini

 

[Gypsy]

The Volvo OEM coolant is expensive ($64 per gal.) Is there an alternative coolant that can be safely used that is less expensive?

 

[scross]

Bill, yeah it’s expensive. I really like to save money where I can. But I bought four gallons of Volvo Penta yellow VCS coolant because I don’t want to skimp on internal engine care. It’s $38 a gallon plus tax delivered from Marine Parts Source.

https://marinepartssource.com/ready-mix ... a-22567314

 

[Gypsy]

Al, thanks for the info. I can live with $38 per gal. Ordering it now.

 

[Gin]

Several sources I trust have advised me to use only Volvo branded coolant in first, my D3, and now, my D4. According to them, Volvo does actually specify additives for the coolant that are tailored to the metals in their engines. That advice seems to be pretty uniform on this forum as well. Given the change interval — which is at least two times if not four times longer than for oil — it strikes me as money well spent (especially when it can be had for $38 to $40 a gallon, not $64!).

Gini

 

[YukonRon]

Following this and just checked my Volvo Penta D4, D6 Operator's Manual that was on the boat.
For my engine, D4-260 I-F :

Every 200 Hours or 12 Months, Coolant level and antifreeze mixture, Inspect.
Every 8000 Hours or 48 Months, Coolant, VCS (Yellow), Replace.

Yes, thats 8000 Hours! Not a typo on my part.
This sounds like a lot longer interval than others are quoting. My engine is manufactured in 2015; the Operator's Manual is dated 2014.
Has this spec changed that much over the years?
I don't see myself putting on 8000 hours every 48 months, more like 200 hours per year, so I was thinking every 4 years would be good.

 

[Gin]

Sheesh! I thought 2000 hrs inn 48 months was a fair bit. But 8000 In that time? Wow.

Gini

 

[mikey]

I have a 2014 C28 and planning to change the antifreeze coolant in the volvo D4 260. I see by the owners manual how and where the antifreeze should be drained but to get a wrench,pliers or fingers into the stern outlet is a challenge I have yet to master. Anyone ideas how to loosen that outlet?

 

[Mitchboom88]

Regarding the impeller change. I always add a wipe of vaseline to the center post and walls of the housing before reassembly and I've never had problems sliding the old impeller off during future changes.