Garmin Warning / Coolant level low

[HappyPlace]

Good evening all,

We took our new (to us) 2014 Tug out for her maiden voyage this weekend and found that the Garmin 7215 system kept giving me the "engine coolant level low" warning and signal. I shut everything down, let it cool off and rechecked the engine coolant level again. The coolant level was correct in the expansion tank attached to the Volvo D4 engine. (is there an overflow tank somewhere? I found the overflow for the generator.) After warming up, it ran at 185 degrees without any further increase. The Garmin wanted me to acknowledge and I believe either calibrate it or turn it off. I have been fervently reading manuals, but cannot locate a solution. I didn't know that the Garmin monitored the coolant level? I know it provides the engine temperature.

Any advice?

 

[knotflying]

You say the level in the expansion tank was adequate, you need to open the cap that looks like a regular radiator cap on the engine and look and make sure that is full. I have a Yanmar so I am not exactly sure where it is on the Volvo.

 

[Spinner]

I also have the 2014 R-31. I got the low coolant warning this weekend, first day out since Jan 1. The only way to check the coolant is to open the cap. It was low, took about 1.5 quarts. I think I may have some heater hose leakage going on, based on what I see in the bilge....I was surprised as the coolant was full last time I used the boat!

 

[HappyPlace]

Sue,

I checked the expansion tank and the level was maybe a pint short. Still have alarm sounding. When I go back down tomorrow, I will triple check this tank. I wasn't sure if there was an overflow tank for the engine that might be tucked in some other compartment. It doesn't seem to be.

Best,
Al Sr.

 

[Irish Mist]

You need to check in the actual engine.. There will be a rad cap like your car on the engine.. You can not just go by the expansion tank level. Follow the hose from the expansion tank it will lead to the cap we are speaking of.

 

[HappyPlace]

Good morning,

It appears the only place to check or add coolant on my Volvo D4 300 is on the top of the engine. (Would attach a photo if I knew how) I did add about two cups of coolant. My engine never goes beyond 185 degrees, thus it is not overheating. Since I originally disabled the alarm, thinking it would be temporary, I am unable to locate where to reestablish this setting on my Garmin. I would really like to have the alarm activated again to see if the "low coolant" alarm is working, ie; adding two cups was sufficient. My Garmin manual does not mention anything about a coolant alarm among the few alarms it denotes. If I didn't see the "Low Coolant" event in my system, I would think I am going crazy!!!! Is there a more in depth manual available for this? Am I losing my mind? <---Don't answer that!

 

[Bruce Moore]

(Would attach a photo if I knew how)

Hi - I just approved your album request and sent a PM with instructions for setting it up. You can post images by using the Img or g2Img tags (buttons over the post window). The first is for showing a photo available on the web. The second is for showing a photo in your album(s). You'll find instructions the the BBCode FAQ's, available from the homepage.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Boatagain]

FWIW, I had a Volvo tech tell me that the low coolant warning alarm is very, very sensitive and will go off with only the barest minimum of coolant level drop. If you can see coolant when looking down into the filler, you should be okay,

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I've been struggling with this issue on my D4.

I am definitely losing coolant. I THINK I found a leak underneath the coolant tank at the bank of the engine. The stains could be caused by earlier sloppy filling though but its the only yellow coolant coloured stain around. I tightened up the connections to see if this would stop the leak.

I topped up the tank and then drove the 53 miles from La Conner to Seattle. I didnt get the alarm so things are promising. Need to check the level now the engine has cooled.

photo's here https://1drv.ms/f/s!Auy2KJTFDgidjJQ08Z3XY3e55l_-rQ

that connection to the valve looks pretty bad.

top tip: use the phone camera to see in places you just cant get your head into. Also force the flash on so you dont need a flashlight and if using an iphone use the volume keys to take the photo. (dont need to try and find the onscreen button)

 

[Don Cardinal]

Cutwater28GG
On the first photo I notice a hose clamp that appears to be on the valve itself. Is that clamp being used to hold a bonding wire or something else that is not visable? If not I would be looking at what it is there for. The valve is connected to the pipe to barb fitting that shows corrosion and maybe leakage. Is that valve cracked at the threads? Please keep us informed.
Don

 

[Cutwater28GG]

thanks Don. agreed that hose clamp is in a very interesting position. I couldnt see a bonding wire. almost as it its a spare clamp!

I need to investigate further that rusty barb fitting

I assume if I undo these, the coolant runs out!

 

[lornec]

It doesn't hurt to double up on the clamps on water hoses just to be extra sure.