KAMD44/Kad44 Coolant

[Farmer Piles]

A bit of a lazy post; but hey, that's me! I need to top up my coolant on my engine and wondered if you need to use a proper propriety coolant solution or can simply use either neat antifreeze or an antifreeze solution - say 4:1. I am aware that with some engines that if you use water in there that it can eat out the bore liners, etc.. and cause real damage.

 

[petem]

Use the proper stuff as it contains corrosion inhibitors. Also, make sure you don't mix colours.

 

[Plum]

A bit of a lazy post; but hey, that's me! I need to top up my coolant on my engine and wondered if you need to use a proper propriety coolant solution or can simply use either neat antifreeze or an antifreeze solution - say 4:1. I am aware that with some engines that if you use water in there that it can eat out the bore liners, etc.. and cause real damage.

As said by Petem, and assuming your existing coolant is the correct VP one, only use the same/correct grade/colour of Volvo Penta coolant for your engine. Buy the ready-mixed one as that saves having to mix the concentrated one with distilled water.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[jon and michie]

Cost of correct coolant vs broken engine = no brainer

 

[Farmer Piles]

Thanks guys, it's the cheapskate farmer in me!! I picked up a 5l can today.

 

[alt]

If you don't know what's in it but can source green stuff handy in future, just do a complete drain / flush and top up from scratch. It's what I did 10 years ago (changing annually) and never had any issues.

FYI, I use Finoil Concentrate (from local truck shop) Green and source my distilled water locally.

 

[oldgit]

Seem to recall mix is more concentrated on marine engines than on road engines.
On early 40/41 or Perkins Sabre it was 50/50 % ratio.
On later VP engines appears to be 40/60 %
Why anybody would buy a "ready mixed version" is a mystery", be it ready mixed window washer for your car or ready mixed anti freeze.
Suspect generic distilled water is a lot cheaper than Volvo Pentas filtered through gold dust special brew ?

 

[Momac]

Why anybody would buy a "ready mixed version" is a mystery", be it ready mixed window washer for your car or ready mixed anti freeze.

Ready mixed coolant is cheaper than concentrated although I think its best to mix it yourself.

 

[russ]

I believe antifreeze should be changed every 2-3 years on VP.

 

[jon and michie]

I believe antifreeze should be changed every 2-3 years on VP.

2 years on Kad 300A is what Volvo recommends

 

[Momac]

2 years is recommended on kad and ad engines
Just look at how many kad engines on boats advertised for sale have brown discoloured coolant expansion tanks.
2 years seem about right but annually as suggested by 'alt' isn't to be criticised

 

[jon and michie]

2 years is recommended on kad and ad engines
Just look at how many kad engines on boats advertised for sale have brown discoloured coolant expansion tanks.
2 years seem about right but annually as suggested by 'alt' isn't to be criticised

Agreed - mine is still green and a clear expansion tank and followed service intervals - I have wondered when Ive seen boats for sale with brown expansion tanks if they have had head troubles in the past.

 

[petem]

Agreed - mine is still green and followed service intervals - I have wondered when Ive seen boats for sale with brown expansion tanks if they have had head troubles.

Nah, it's just sloppy maintenance.

 

[jon and michie]

Nah, it's just sloppy maintenance.

still something to bear in mind when purchasing a used boat.

 

[petem]

still something to bear in mind when purchasing a used boat.

Indeed, I happened to notice an engine photo the other day with one clean header tank and the other one rusty. That would arouse my curiosity.