KAD 44 / kAD300 coolant levels

C

CaptainMike1970

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 Jun 2006
Messages
244
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
Hi All

I wondered what your experiences of the VP KAD 44 / 300 engines are with regard to coolant levels.

I am "told" that the KAD 44 and more so the KAD 300 often will "find their own level" which is often at or slightly below the min level mark on the expansion bottle and if / topped up will eject the excess coolant into the bilge (via the expansion tank filler cap) to return to "their level"

My experience of a KAD 44 was that when filled to the max level mark on the expansion tank it stayed there and never used any coolant or dropped from this level at all, ever.

My view is that if the engine is unable to maintain the coolant at a constant level, provided it is filled between the min and max level marks on the expansion tank there is something wrong which needs attending to.

Your experiences would be appreciated.

Mike
 
I think the "issue" if there is one, is with over zealous topping up.Unless you have a leak, the level, cold, seems to be about 1-2 cm below the marked line.
I cant recall the total volume, but I dont think 1/4 litre in the header tank is very interesting....
Much more that can cost you a fortune ;)
 
My KAMD 300' s stay between the levels
You are right asserting a problem if they do not,but these are not motor cars , in fact a lot more complicated plumbing = more chance of a leak , tiny but over time one could see the level drops little In which case if you can't source the leak - top up.Stop worrying .
A major gasket failure leading to it blowing out is of couse a different issue
 
I had Kad44's in my Targa 37, and they used to behave exactly as the OP described - with anything more than the min in the header tank, they would spit coolant into the bilge. It eventually transpired that the heat exchangers were furred up (the boat began to overheat at wot) and I suspect that these two things may well have been related. The heat exchangers were cleaned out when the boat was sold so I don't know if this solved the coolant level issue.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
The level should not be below the min level, unless you have a leak.

Running with the level 1-2cm below MAX should not need topping up over the season, nor should you end up with coolant in the bilge. Topping it up any more can result in small amounts escaping if you are running hard.
 
Last edited:
When I had the V39 with KAD 42s, collant kept spilling into the bilge.

Eventually, a tech guy from Volvo Watford came, looked, did some maths and showed that the coolant expanded by more than the spare volume in the expansion tank. Volvo then produced a larger expansion tank, but even then, the level had to be below the min mark to stop the overfow.
 
FlowerPower said:
The level should not be below the min level, unless you have a leak.

Running with the level 1-2cm below MAX should not need topping up over the season, nor should you end up with coolant in the bilge. Topping it up any more can result in small amounts escaping if you are running hard.
Click to expand...
Not my experience, though I believe you are supposed to consider the level when the engine is hot.
I cant recall the total volume..10 litre+? I dont think it matters two hoots if your slightly below the min level, but at least it doesnt flood. What is important is that the level stays constant.
 
Piers said:
When I had the V39 with KAD 42s, collant kept spilling into the bilge.

Eventually, a tech guy from Volvo Watford came, looked, did some maths and showed that the coolant expanded by more than the spare volume in the expansion tank. Volvo then produced a larger expansion tank, but even then, the level had to be below the min mark to stop the overfow.
Click to expand...

That's the same as I've heard - Volvo specified coolant tanks that were too small. I had this problem on my old AD31s, anything over min mark and they'd chuck it into inthe the bilges.

On my current KAD300s the levels are just above the min mark and I've had no problems so far. Coolant capacity is 19 litres if memory serves... which reminds me I need to change it this winter.
 
AdeOlly said:
That's the same as I've heard - Volvo specified coolant tanks that were too small. I had this problem on my old AD31s, anything over min mark and they'd chuck it into inthe the bilges.

On my current KAD300s the levels are just above the min mark and I've had no problems so far. Coolant capacity is 19 litres if memory serves... which reminds me I need to change it this winter.
Click to expand...

When I had KAD300s - same story. Anymore than on/just above the min mark and they spilled over when the engines got hot.
 
The caps are the usual pressure release points. Even the newer style plastic caps have a release mechanism in them that under extreme pressure allows it to blow out.
 
Please excuse if I get this wrong I'm new to site. Great info though. I have 2 kad 44 and can't locate the drain plugs for the coolant. Please can someone help maybe even with a diagram. Many thanks in advance.
 
Welcome
4in all
1 -the hose without the blue marking found dangling below / side of the sump
2- bottom of heat exchanger- about1/3 way from the rear end
3- side of HE at the back -rear
4- under exhaust elbow - where it fits the riser.

Remove cap on expansion tank to speed up drainage

Book says every 2nd year change
 
Last edited:
Portofino said:
Welcome


Book says every 2nd year change
Click to expand...
ok, but recall in VP home land of frozen tundra , minus 20 might be a balmy winters day !
In the sunny Solent, people are blast furnacing their engine bays with heaters, blankets, 24/7 shore power if the engine room drops below +15 if the month suggests it is winter.
Just think of all the tens of thousands of cars you have seen , blocks split in two... ;)
But back to OP... when cold, a couple of cm in the header tank means you have a surplus anyway. Up to the line and cold always seems to mean a spillage, in my experience
 
Last edited:
Got the book out on my lap - have two one on the boat t,other home.
Just quoting it -not giving instructions .;)
However -it might not totally be an " your antifreeze is off issue" = cracked block in so called uk winter -It may be more of the anti corrosive stuff = corroded internals -lots of diff metals + moisture = rotten bits inside .
Pumping sea water through the HE and sitting the whole lot in salt air + lack of use -stone cold for 98% of its life ,means its a sitting duck for corrosion
Unlike your car with 100'000 miles +and ready for the next 100K without missing a beat .?
 
If every time you use the boat you have to add the same amount of coolant then try marking the level and running again if the engine does not overheat and the water stays at the same level it is not that unusual .
If twin engine that it more likely to happen on the engine with calorifier .
 
Hi all,

Even this is an old thread I think it is worth a reply ...

Generally you always want to check coolant level with engine cold. However this is NOT the case with the KAD/KAMD 44P/300. In the "operators manual" (page 49) is says as follows:
"The coolant level should be between the MAX and MIN marking on the expansion tank when the engine is at normal operating temperature. The level is normally lower when the engine is cold".

The coolant level on the expansion tank with the engine cold is right at the MIN level or slightly below.

If you follow this advise the engine will never chuck any coolant to the engine bay.

Happy boating :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top