Volvo engine coolant advice (on a sailyboat)

I started a thread on the PBO forum about coolant for the Volvo engine in our new-to-us boat. It seems to have raised more questions than it answered. It occurred to me that there's likely to be more and better knowledge about modern engines on this side of the fence, as the typical sailing boat chugs about on a twenty-year-old dumper-truck engine of forty-year-old design.

If anyone with the requisite knowledge cares to weigh in, the thread is here:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?355686-Volvo-D1-30-coolant-colours

Cheers.

Pete

I think they say you should change the coolant every 3 years, so if you are not aware its been done use this opportunity to change it, remember its a coolant so good for summer as well, 50/ 50 mix with a distilled water.

SolentPhill said:

I think they say you should change the coolant every 3 years, so if you are not aware its been done use this opportunity to change it, remember its a coolant so good for summer as well, 50/ 50 mix with a distilled water.

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If the analysis of your tap water is such that you need to buy distilled or de-ionised water for dilution possibly buy the ready diluted stuff in the first place.

Not sure about the volvo specific coolant but a couple of points are definite. Don't mix different colours - espcially the pink stuff - if you mix that with the old type it can gel and block the system. The second thing is to endorse a point on the other thread - modern coolants are corrosion inhibitors as well as antifreeze so although water as temporary measure is not a problem in a crisis you do need to return to the right concentration of coolant asap. Common sense suggests that as you have no idea what the original coolant was you should drain and flush and then replace with a good quality mix of whatever type you prefer. Yours is a sailboat so engine volumes are small - Spare a thought for us moboers who buy coolant in 25 litre containers

VicS said:

If the analysis of your tap water is such that you need to buy distilled or de-ionised water for dilution possibly buy the ready diluted stuff in the first place.

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That's true but I didn't know exactly how much I needed, they gave me what it holds but not always what you take out, plus the port engine has more for the hot water heating tube, so they said I could return any unused bottles, and whilst I was in the engine bay I topped up the batteries, but yes your right the premix is cheaper and I may have saved a few pounds if I knew the right amount needed.

Since manufacturers tend to dye in any colour to make their product seem special, do not mind the colours - be aware of the coolant base ingredient and properties.

Plenty of info on the web, eg.
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/841/coolant-fundamentals

Note that some types are long life and typically will last 5 years instead of 2-3 years at about the same cost.

Ive never seen mixed coolant gel and block anything, i have seen with my own eyes many many times the wrong coolant in an engine, still working fine, and also coolants mixed again no problems.
General rule, is old style blue/green coolant 2 year life, red oats stuff 5 year life, other colours i havent a clue!
Dont use the modern stuff in old classic engines as can cause water leaks, plenty of info on classic car forums etc.


Lynall

Spi D said:

do not mind the colours - be aware of the coolant base ingredient and properties.

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Bit tricky when all you have to go on is a purple dribble in the bottom of the header tank

Pete

I have just been told today that I can no longer buy Volvo green coolant unless I am a company , because it has now been classed as a hazarous substance , I am allowed to pay a Volvo engineer to come & top my header tank though , anyone heared of this new rule ?

Green


More green

SolentPhill said:

I think they say you should change the coolant every 3 years,

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I left mine too long and had some crud to deal with which took a lot of flushing to clear. I have seen the same on another boat .
So I am checking the coolant regularly and I will be going two years maximum with coolant changes.