Antifreeze

billyfish

billyfish

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Hi, sorry I know this has been covered before but I'm still not clear if I've done the right thing..I have a 2005 VP D1-30, in my new to me boat. and when we had a frost I thought better change the coolant. Never given it much thought before on my 30 year old engine. Drained it all out and put halfords pink organic in but forgot that I now have a calorifier ,I did run the engine to get all the coolant out but maybe there is some left in the system! Question is was what was in there OAT or conventional coolant. It looked to have a green tinge to it. But it might not have been Volvo's own brand... how do you tell ? It says not to mix types. Is OAT used in 2005 engines. Shall I change it all again.
 
If in doubt, I’d flush it through (with water until it’s coming through clean/clear) and then refill with the coolant of your choice.

Someone will come along soon to tell you whether pink or blue (/green in some other countries/for a few brands) is right for your Volvo - or a new web/forum search will likely turn up the answer. Most modern engines are fine on OAT.
 
Cheers. Volvo seem to supply both types for the same engine. Dont seem to be able to get a definitive answer on what should be used.
 
billyfish said:
Hi, sorry I know this has been covered before but I'm still not clear if I've done the right thing..I have a 2005 VP D1-30, in my new to me boat. and when we had a frost I thought better change the coolant. Never given it much thought before on my 30 year old engine. Drained it all out and put halfords pink organic in but forgot that I now have a calorifier ,I did run the engine to get all the coolant out but maybe there is some left in the system! Question is was what was in there OAT or conventional coolant. It looked to have a green tinge to it. But it might not have been Volvo's own brand... how do you tell ? It says not to mix types. Is OAT used in 2005 engines. Shall I change it all again.
Click to expand...
Generally speaking OAT antifreeze is red or yellow The conventional , non OAT is generally blue or green
You should have stuck to the same type . Generally the two types should not be mixed.

It is recommended that if the antifreeze is changed from conventional to OAT the system should be chemically cleaned.
There is a VP "kit" for doing this I believe it contains oxalic acid and sodium carbonate or bicarbonate for neutralising the acid.
VP dealers charge an arm and a leg for doing this.

Some antifreezes, it is claimed, can be mixed with any other type. AFAIK that does not apply to Halfords OAT.

I suppose the best advice is to drain it carry out the chemical clean and refill with fresh OAT
Alternatively because there appears to be no interaction between the two types in the cold. ( Ive had them mixed in a test tube for months with no interaction) if you have not used the boat drain it , flush it very thoroughly and refill will conventional non OAT.

You may wish to be guided by your owners manual. I believe the OAT type was recommended for later versions of the engine, but I guess your 2005 engine is an early version and dtaes from before the OAT types werer introduced

I have some info/ links somewhere. I i find anytning relevant during the evening I will post it
 
billyfish said:
Cheers. Volvo seem to supply both types for the same engine. Dont seem to be able to get a definitive answer on what should be used.
Click to expand...
Older versions used the conventional type and later versions use the OAT.
I should be able to find a link to the VP service bulletin which will put an approximate date on the change
 
The VP Parts Buletin P-18-4 5 01 dated 05 2010 reads

New VCS (Volvo Coolant Specification) Coolant

Volvo Penta will introduce a new type of coolant week ending May 22, 2010. Volvo Penta Coolant VCS is designed to work optimally with the latest Volvo Penta engine programs. Volvo Penta Coolant VCS (yellow) contains new inhibitors that are adapted to the materials used in modern engines. VCS (yellow) offers better protection against corrosion and the build-up of deposits; it counteracts cavitation and galvanic corrosion. The introduction of VCS (yellow) will take place as verification tests of the new coolant are completed on each engine type concerned. The change-over to VCS (yellow) will begin with the D13 marine engine with the switch from the 2010 to the 2011 model (D13 EVC-D), and then with the D16 marine week ending July 10 (1).
Background
The continued improvement of our engines with higher performance, more compact sizes and lighter materials raises the requirements for cooling, corrosion protection and therefore also the coolant. Volvo Penta Coolant VCS is yellow and may not be mixed with green coolant.

Kits for cleaning the cooling system:
Cleaning kit part # 21467920 for general use in the event of problems with deposits or oil. The kit is supplied with Installation instruction 47700911. It may only be used on engines filled with VCS (yellow). In cases where a change must be made from Volvo Penta Coolant (green) or equivalent to VCS (yellow), the cooling system must be cleaned using oxalic acid; refer to Service bulletin 26-0-29 for instructions. Kit part # 21538591 contains Installation instruction 47700409 and two yellow decals informing that Volvo Penta Coolant VCS (yellow) is in use. Kit part # 21538593 is for industrial engines and contains Installation instruction 47700409 and a blank to replace the removed coolant filter.

New parts
21485012Coolant 5 Liter YELLOW 21485013Coolant 210 Liter YELLOW Barrel 21485014Coolant, ready-mixed. 5 Liter YELLOW 21485015Coolant, ready-mixed. 210 Liter YELLOW Barrel

Water quality
Only mix Volvo Penta coolant with tap water that fulfills Volvo quality standard VOLVO STD: 1285, 1. In the event of doubt regarding water quality, use Volvo Penta ready mixed coolant.

FreeZing point
Freezinq points (ASTM D1177) and pour points (ASTM D97) for VOLVO PENTA coolant and VOLVO PENTA VCS coolant.

Mixture proportions (freezing point) at:
40% coolant and 60% water gives -24°C (-11°F) 50% coolant and 50% water gives -37°C (-34 OF)

IMPORTANT!
Industrial engines may not use coolant filters in combination with VCS (yellow); coolant filters will be omitted on new industrial engines filled with VCS (yellow). Old model engines must continue to use Volvo Penta Coolant (green). In the event of problems with 013 engines already sold and in the field, it can be appropriate to replace the coolant. This may be done on the condition that the cooling system is cleaned before VCS (yellow) is filled. Refer to the following page for cleaning procedure. The coolant change intervals for VCS (yellow) are extended to 4 years (Volvo Penta Coolant green coolant = 2 years). Industrial engines that use a combination of Volvo Penta Coolant (green) and a coolant filter with a current coolant change interval of 4 years, will continue with 4-year intervals with VCS (yellow). If concentrated VCS is chosen, the same mixing water quality requirements apply as did previously. Refer to the following page or the Operator's Manual. Volvo Penta recommends the use of its coolant Ready Mixed, or a concentrated form of the type of coolant the engine was supplied with (or must be filled with on the first occasion; refer to the Operator's Manual for the engine concerned). The concentrate must be mixed with clean water (refer to spec.) according to Mixing proportions. These coolants are the only coolants suitable for, and approved by, Volvo Penta. NOTE! Volvo Penta Coolant VCS (yellow) should not be used on Volvo Penta engines that have hitherto used Volvo Penta Coolant (green) or other type of coolant(2). Volvo Penta Coolant (green) is manufactured using different technology and has inhibitors that may not be mixed chemically with VCS (yellow). Engines that have been in operation for a long while are difficult to rid completely of green coolant residues. (1) Because the 016 marine engine will remain otherwise unchanged, its exterior distinguishing feature will be a yellow decal. (2) Replacements should only be made in exceptional cases. (3) Volvo Penta does not supply oxalic acid.

See also Service bulletin: 18-423 and Product sheet on Partner Network.
 
That's stuffed it then. I've run it up to temperature for a hour or maybe more looks like I'll have to change it back and flush it out with oxalic acid
 
VicS said:
Generally speaking OAT antifreeze is red or yellow The conventional , non OAT is generally blue or green
You should have stuck to the same type . Generally the two types should not be mixed.

It is recommended that if the antifreeze is changed from conventional to OAT the system should be chemically cleaned.
There is a VP "kit" for doing this I believe it contains oxalic acid and sodium carbonate or bicarbonate for neutralising the acid.
VP dealers charge an arm and a leg for doing this.

Some antifreezes, it is claimed, can be mixed with any other type. AFAIK that does not apply to Halfords OAT.

I suppose the best advice is to drain it carry out the chemical clean and refill with fresh OAT
Alternatively because there appears to be no interaction between the two types in the cold. ( Ive had them mixed in a test tube for months with no interaction) if you have not used the boat drain it , flush it very thoroughly and refill will conventional non OAT.

You may wish to be guided by your owners manual. I believe the OAT type was recommended for later versions of the engine, but I guess your 2005 engine is an early version and dtaes from before the OAT types werer introduced

I have some info/ links somewhere. I i find anytning relevant during the evening I will post it
Click to expand...
I did the acid flush last season. If you can do a coolant change, you can do an acid flush. I'm sure it's expensive but only because it would involve rather a lot of sitting-around-drinking-tea time.

If you pm me I can send you the Volvo official instructions and ratios but essentially:

- Empty the old coolant
- Fill with oxalic acid and run up to temperature; then drain off once cooled
- Fill with bicarb solution and run up to temperature; then drain off once cooled
- Flush two or three times with fresh water; run up and drain off each time. you can keep going until the water runs clear if you like.
- finally fill with the new coolant.

For better or worse, I didn't drain the calorifier.

As stated, the two types (yellow and green in Volvo colours) don't mix at all. If changing from one t'other, you must acid flush. Being so clever, I've forgotten which one I put in last year, so will probably end up doing it all again in a years' time.
 
I know that this has been discussed many times before but, over the last 30 years or so, I have drained IAT and re-filled with OAT antifreeze dozens of times without any special flushing or any flushing at all and have never had a single problem, even though draining car cooling systems usually leaves the block full the previous coolant.

Obviously we must trust our own judgement but, if it were me, I would just leave the system as it is now with the OAT in it. If that worries you, just drain that out and refill again with OAT and I can guarantee that it will be fine.

Richard
 
Last edited:
billyfish said:
That's stuffed it then. I've run it up to temperature for a hour or maybe more looks like I'll have to change it back and flush it out with oxalic acid
Click to expand...
Your engine was produced before the introduction of the Yellow VCS OAT type antifreeze. It would have been filled with the green conventional antifreeze. I would therefore drain it flush it thoroughly with water ( including the calorifier) and refill with a conventional antifreeze ( eg Halfords Silicate Antifreeze)
 
I’d still vote for flushing a few times with water, mainly because - why not? It’s free, easy, harmless, and if the old coolant only had a ‘tinge’ of its colour left to indicate the type it probably suggests the system could use a ‘refresh’.

As for the acid, I appreciate that this is a method specified by Volvo and many people use it. No doubt whatever comes out is very satisfying! But I never use any sorts of chemical ‘flush’ on my engines (marine/road - oil/coolant, etc.). What if it dislodges something big enough to get stuck in a coolant gallery? ...especially from the calorifier plumbing, if you leave that connected (you could bypass of course). If the engine wasn’t overheating and the coolant circuit is working fine, why mess with it?!

I’ve ‘converted’ plenty of engines from IAT to OAT. I do the water flush because, as RichardS says, there’ll always be some old coolant in the block (or calorifier in your case). I’m sure it’d be fine without flushing, but I remember the brown soup in my little brothers BMW E36 (need I say more?!) - “but I always use proper coolant”, he said, but when asked which colour “dunno, whatever’s in the shop”!!! Indeed, the main problem with mixing is large-ish quantities may just be that the soupyness makes it harder to tell if the coolant is still good.
 
In the classic land rover world oats is shunned as apparently it can interfere with gaskets/seals etc, no proof of this myeself, but all my old cars and the boat run on the old blue glycol a/f, cheaper as well.
Be wary of halfords as they seem to sell glycol in red and some stuff that is apparently suitbale for glycol and oats systems.
 
lynallbel said:
In the classic land rover world oats is shunned as apparently it can interfere with gaskets/seals etc, no proof of this myeself, but all my old cars and the boat run on the old blue glycol a/f, cheaper as well.
Be wary of halfords as they seem to sell glycol in red and some stuff that is apparently suitbale for glycol and oats systems.
Click to expand...

Its all ethylene glycol based

Their OAT type is red. Their conventional silicate type is blue
They also sell a nitrite, amine, phosphate free hybrid type

They also sell a range of l Comma antifreezes which includes a silicate type, an OAT type , a silicated OAT type, a hybrid type and a silicated OAT type based on ethylene glycol and glycerine
 
VicS said:
Its all ethylene glycol based

Their OAT type is red. Their conventional silicate type is blue
They also sell a nitrite, amine, phosphate free hybrid type

They also sell a range of l Comma antifreezes which includes a silicate type, an OAT type , a silicated OAT type, a hybrid type and a silicated OAT type based on ethylene glycol and glycerine
Click to expand...


Glad thats cleared that up then:)
 
penberth3 said:
Yes. life was easier when we only had Bluecol, which was of course blue. Progress!
Click to expand...

It was only as I was driving home listening to the song Blinded by the light, singing and trying to remember the words, that it dawned on me, Ethylene glycol and Propylene glycol, why I just wrote glycol I have no idea!

I actually have an empty 1 litre bottle of bluecol in my old car.
 
lynallbel said:
It was only as I was driving home listening to the song Blinded by the light, singing and trying to remember the words, that it dawned on me, Ethylene glycol and Propylene glycol, why I just wrote glycol I have no idea!

I actually have an empty 1 litre bottle of bluecol in my old car.
Click to expand...

Years ago we had 45 gallon drums at work, so I've still got a few gallons of Bluecol somewhere! ;)
 
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