Coolant Change & oil

[emandvee44]

I need to change the coolant.
Volume of the system is 9.5 litrês.
The manual says if risk of freezing, 50% Volvo Penta Anti-freeze (Glycol), 50% water.

The manual also says that if there is no risk of freezing then use only water and add anti-corrosion agent.

I assume therefore that the Glycol acts as an anti-corrosion agent?
Will any engine coolant be ok?

I have found 2 litres of engine oil on board, which I plan to put in the saildrive. Slightly different spec.(see pic.) Can I mix them?

Thanks,

Michael.

 

[Trundlebug]

I need to change the coolant.
Volume of the system is 9.5 litrês.
The manual says if risk of freezing, 50% Volvo Penta Anti-freeze (Glycol), 50% water.

The manual also says that if there is no risk of freezing then use only water and add anti-corrosion agent.

I assume therefore that the Glycol acts as an anti-corrosion agent?
Will any engine coolant be ok?

I have found 2 litres of engine oil on board, which I plan to put in the saildrive. Slightly different spec.(see pic.) Can I mix them?

Thanks,

Michael.

Yes, all antifreeze contains a corrosion inhibitor. I'm not sure though if it's the glycol or other additives that act as the corrosion inhibitor but nonetheless any make of antifreeze will be OK, althought there are different types and probably the most suitable for marine applications is the (traditionally) green stuff that says 2 yrs protection.

You may think the pink 5 yr stuff is better, but it isn't kind to copper so may not be suitable; best to stick to the standard green stuff and it's generally a bit cheaper anyway. Don't mix different colour antifreezes.

The 2 oils you have differ only in that one is CG4 and the other is CI4, a later spec.
They are the same viscosity so you should be able to mix them OK.

 

[vyv_cox]

Glycol itself has no anti-corrosion properties but antifreeze also contains corrosion inhibitors and helps to prevent cavitation damage. There is a product known as something like 'summer coolant' that contains the anti-corrosion additives but no glycol. It probably costs more than antifreeze!

You should be OK to mix those two oils but if you want to be really certain (probably unnecessary) mix small amounts 50/50 in a glass jar and look for any deposits. That's what the oil company labs would do, except they do 10/90, 50/50 and 90/10.

 

[emandvee44]

Thank you for the advice,

M.