Bob, I use Rotella ELC for my diesels. I've been warned off of the much cheaper antifreeze used in most gasoline engines. I open the lowest drain point I can find on my engine and remove the filler cap and let the old coolant drain. Even with the filler cap off, the system drains fairly slowly because the thermostats are, of course, closed. On my engines the exhaust manifolds are the lowest drains I use. I try to catch the old coolant because it is poison to the environment and if I don't catch it, it ends in the bilge and gets pumped overboard.
I buy the concentrate, so I dilute it to 50%, close the drain points and fill the cooling system back up. My cooling system capacity is listed at 32 quarts. The amount I put in reflects the success I had getting the old out. I have never been able to fit 32 quarts, but since I do this every winter, I'm sure my system is fine. I have never been able to determine why coolant wears out, or why heavy duty coolant is necessary. After I have the system filled, I run the engine up to temperature and let it cool down. I top off the coolant as required and repeat this checking after each engine use. Eventually the level is consistly full and all is well. Oh, I have installed overflow/coolant reservores that help the process. DavidO --- On Thu, 11/19/09, Bob S <[email protected]> wrote: From: Bob S <[email protected]> Subject: [UnifliteWorld] Re: Maintenance Schedules? To: "UnifliteWorld" <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 3:48 PM David, Do you do your own work to replace the coolant in the engines? I do my oil changes but have never done the coolant myself. Is it difficult? (FYI I have twin Cummins diesels) Suggestions? On Nov 19, 2:17 pm, David Oates <[email protected]> wrote: > Kerry, > > I also have an aft cabin '42, but its an '84, listings call them "DCMY", and > the orginal documents state she is an SE II. Mine runs the 8.2L Detroit > Diesels. My list looks like this: > > Replace pencil zincs in the engines and Onan genset. > Replace coolant in STB engine. > Replace raw water pump on STB engine. > Refurbish raw water pump on Port engine. > Replace coolant hoses on STB engine (circulating pump to right exh. manifold > and circulating pump to oil cooler). > Change engine oil and filters. > Change transmission oil and clean/check internal screens. > Re-route pressure house water at water heater (to eliminate some 90* turns). > Install a pressure regulator on the house water system. > Replace the shower heads in both heads. > > The list seems to grow as I go! > > DavidO > > --- On Wed, 11/4/09, Kerry Lebel <[email protected]> wrote: > > From: Kerry Lebel <[email protected]> > Subject: [UnifliteWorld] Maintenance Schedules? > To: [email protected] > Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 5:24 PM > > OK guys, as we go into that time of the year where we roll up our sleeves and > dig into the projects we avoided all season, here is my winter "project" list: > Here is my project list so far: > Rewire the flybridgeReplace my fresh water tanksRebuild the startersInstall > diesel primer pumpReplace my rear head and all hosesWhat about the > routine maintenance? I have a 42 Aft Cabin with 671's. Anyone have a copy > of their maintenance schedule they would be willing to share? I want to know > everything from engine maintenance, to bottom paint to zincs, props, etc. I > plan on having this boat for many many years. Our family loves it. I want > to make sure our baby gets taken care of properly. On a side note...what > winter projects do you guys have going on this winter? > > Thanks, > > Kerry --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "UnifliteWorld" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/unifliteworld?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
