Engine Coolant

[Boatdreamer]

I have a question about the engine coolant. I know how the raw water system works on our boats, but I don't know what circulates the fresh water and antifreeze through the water heater and the cabin heater. Is there any maintenance I need to do on that side of the cooling system? Not sure what made me think about that today, but now I'm curious how that system works. Thanks

Tim
Gratitude

 

[knotflying]

It is a closed system and there is a pump that circulates it just like a water pump on a car engine. It is recommended that the antifreeze be changed every 2 years. However I do mine every year since you can't really get all of the old antifreeze out unless you remove the heat exchanger. There is a petcock on the starboard side of the engine. I attach a small pump to that and pump about 1.5 to 2 gallons out and then replenish with new long life antifreeze. Make sure you use long life. Prestone is a good one to use since it is also made for aluminum and has additives and inhibitors in it. After running the engine a while check the level since it may need to be topped off after some air escapes. Make sure you wait for the engine to cool down before opening the cap.

 

[Boatdreamer]

Thanks Mike, that makes sense. I know our engines are the 2 liter BMW diesel, I just didn't think about having a second water pump on the freshwater side. The antifreeze change is on my to do list, thanks for that tip too.

Tim
Gratitude

 

[knotflying]

I purchased a small 12 volt self priming pump (Harbor Freight) that has a hose connection on the inlet and outlet. I bought a rubber washing machine hose and cut it in half. You can push the inlet side onto the petcock and then dump the outlet into a pail. It avoids making a mess in the bilge.

 

[ronnieg]

The Volvo engines require that you use the Volvo VSP coolant in their engines. Do Not mix this with any other coolant as it will cause the coolant to gel.

Thanks
Ronnie Gonzales
Ranger Tugs/ Cutwater Boats Customer Service
ronniegonzales@cutwaterboats.com
425-220-3932

 

[tuggin aweigh]

I cannot locate a dealer that sells Volvo anti-freeze. Can I change out the entire system with a name brand such as Prestone that would be locally available in central Illinois?

After reading Ronnie Gonzales' reply I need to come up with a solution.

Tuggin Aweigh

 

[ronnieg]

If you can not find the volvo antifreeze locally please feel free to contact me and I can get you in touch with our parts guys to get you some. We carry it

 

[SGIDAVE]

I cannot locate a dealer that sells Volvo anti-freeze. Can I change out the entire system with a name brand such as Prestone that would be locally available in central Illinois?

After reading Ronnie Gonzales' reply I need to come up with a solution.

Tuggin Aweigh

Best practice is to use the proper coolant. You MIGHT be able to "get away" with using something else, but why chance it? All antifreeze is ethylene or polyethylene glycol based...its the "special" ingredients that inhibit corossion that make the brands different.

No local Volvo dealer? I feel your pain (except I have a Yanmar). The internets are your friend - look here (http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3608828999 ... rid=229466). A gallon of Volvo juice for $30! And that is the SHIPPED price. That was the first hit on a search for Volvo VSP coolant; there may be a cheaper place.

Fair winds and cool engines,

/dave

 

[knotflying]

Regarding the "authorized" coolant for Yanmar. After doing a ton of research and having called Havoline, one of the authorized products, I was informed by them that all of the product numbers listed in the Yanmar book were overseas numbers and unavailable in the USA. The Havoline Rep went on to tell me to use any long life antifreeze because they were all comparable and not to worry. Hence, Prestone long life in my Yanmar.

 

[Boatdreamer]

Mike, do you use the pre-mixed Prestone extended life? I was looking at the Prestone Dex-Cool Extended Life 50/50 for my coolant change. Thanks

Tim
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