60F
Member
I understand that a Volvo TAMD61 takes around 30 litres of antifreeze. When we drained off the engines a couple of weeks ago, we could only get about 15 litres out of the port engine, although the starboard gave up around 19 litres. I think the measurements were reasonably accurate. I assumed the differences to be due to the water heater on the starboard engine and possibly a difference in the height of the drain taps. We did not try to open the engines at the lowest point reasoning that this would just flood the engine compartments with a lot of sticky antifreeze that would get under the generator and battery trays and be difficult to get rid of. We then filled each engine with fresh water, ran them up, and drained three times - assuming that this would dilute the original antifreeze.
Having done this, we reasoned that we needed to ensure at least 50% antifreeze and so filled the engines with neat antifreeze. After getting the levels right, we seem to have managed to use around 40 litres of antifreeze (assuming that the new containers that we used were accurately full). So assuming that the water heater and associated hoses would take an additional 5 litres of coolant, we have put 40 litres on antifreeze in engines that will take around 65 litres! An average of around 61% instead of the recommended 50% - possibly more as presumably some of the original antifreeze would still remain (and probably more in the starboard engine due to the impact of the heater).
I think I need to remove some of the coolant in each engine and replace it with a few litres of water to try and get the water / antifreeze mixture to around 50% - and then presumably use a strength tester after the engines have been run up again to full operating temperature. However, before I do this can anyone advise whether you can really have too much antifreeze in an engine (as it also ups the amount of anti corrosion inhibitors as well - which may be a good thing). I understand that a high level of antifreeze makes the coolant less efficient at cooling, but I am unsure whether this makes a minor difference or a huge difference and do not want to take her out to sea until I know if I should reduce the antifreeze a little or not.
One final thought, during the oil change we used some Morris oil that was recommended. It seems in line with Volvo recommendations, but she does seem smokier than last year. She has not yet been properly warmed other than to change oil and water. Is this normal for engines that have been unused over winter and likely to go away, or do I need someone to have a good look at them before we put them under any stress. My understanding had been that provided the oil was within spec it was more important to change it regularly than to up the spec of the oil.
Any thoughts on both matters would be gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Having done this, we reasoned that we needed to ensure at least 50% antifreeze and so filled the engines with neat antifreeze. After getting the levels right, we seem to have managed to use around 40 litres of antifreeze (assuming that the new containers that we used were accurately full). So assuming that the water heater and associated hoses would take an additional 5 litres of coolant, we have put 40 litres on antifreeze in engines that will take around 65 litres! An average of around 61% instead of the recommended 50% - possibly more as presumably some of the original antifreeze would still remain (and probably more in the starboard engine due to the impact of the heater).
I think I need to remove some of the coolant in each engine and replace it with a few litres of water to try and get the water / antifreeze mixture to around 50% - and then presumably use a strength tester after the engines have been run up again to full operating temperature. However, before I do this can anyone advise whether you can really have too much antifreeze in an engine (as it also ups the amount of anti corrosion inhibitors as well - which may be a good thing). I understand that a high level of antifreeze makes the coolant less efficient at cooling, but I am unsure whether this makes a minor difference or a huge difference and do not want to take her out to sea until I know if I should reduce the antifreeze a little or not.
One final thought, during the oil change we used some Morris oil that was recommended. It seems in line with Volvo recommendations, but she does seem smokier than last year. She has not yet been properly warmed other than to change oil and water. Is this normal for engines that have been unused over winter and likely to go away, or do I need someone to have a good look at them before we put them under any stress. My understanding had been that provided the oil was within spec it was more important to change it regularly than to up the spec of the oil.
Any thoughts on both matters would be gratefully received.
Many thanks.
