Volvo cooling system

[robp]

A friend has erroneously put some oil in the fresh water filler on his MD2040. (fairly easily done by the looks of things). OK, so the oil will float and some advice has been to try and take the oil out of the top. But if he tries to drain it, which might be easier, does he then run the risk of leaving a coat of oil on the inside of the system? What's the best course - any ideas?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mldpt]

Hi poor lad, does it have a header tank if so I should think if he removes the feed to the engine, and the engine is full of water it is unlikely to have made its way down the pipe there fore remove pipe and drain of header tank. wash out with washing up liquid and refill. I am concidering what I would do on my boat and that is about it.
Happy new year, its better this way round rather than water in oil, good luck.
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>www.sailingforfun.co.uk

 

[toad]

Get out what you can by hand,removeing header tank etc if fitted and washing out in hot soapy water.If it has got in to the waterways of the engine use biological washing powder in the cooling system(the no sud type) run till hot or as hot as marine engines get,may need more than one flush depending on contamination.If you can get it FORTE organic cooling system cleaner is very good.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[pvb]

How about...

How about adding more water, gradually, until the oil is level with the filler top. Remove oil with simple suction device (turkey baster?), then add more water. Continue until all oil has floated up to the top and has been removed. Can't see that a little bit of oil in the cooling system would necessarily be harmful.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[philip_stevens]

We used to remove any oil contamination from fresh water cooling systems - and the evaporator on occasions - on the containerships I served on, by placing ordinary newspaper over the water. The oil, being on top, got onto the paper first.

In the same way, roll a newspaper into a tube, and insert into the water filler, allow it to slowly go down into the water, and then remove it. It should be covered in the oil. Do this a number of times until the paper comes up wet with no oil on it.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[robp]

Many thanks for the replies on this. Useful stuff as usual. He will have clocked it and is probably there now.

<hr width=100% size=1>