Volvo TAMD63P-A antifreeze mystery.

[Paulo33]

Hi All,

My boat has TAMD63P-A engines. 15 years old. 2400 hours each. Well maintained. No known issues so far.

It's kept in southern Europe, so very hot in Summer but fairly cool in winter.

I need to change the antifreeze / coolant.

A well known UK Volvo dealer has told me I need Volvo Type 90 Green coolant. 27 litres per engine at huge cost. They told me that the Volvo coolant has "special" inhibitor in it and that other coolants are substandard and not recommended by them or Volvo. It has to be Volvo brand according to them.

Buying Volvo coolant here in the UK is sooooo expensive; and shipping it down to Greece adds a fortune too.

Buying Volvo coolant in Greece is even more expensive....

Having said that, I don't mind paying for the Volvo stuff if it is really that special and unique. The main thing is that the engines are properly protected, so if Volvo is the only way, then so be it.

However, if the Volvo stuff is exactly the same as other green coolants then I'd rather not pay the almost eyewatering price for the Volvo stuff.

I'm no expert, but I just can't believe that the Volvo stuff is made differenly???

Are there any other brands that are as good for less money? And what sort of concentration / mix ration should it be mixed at?

Any suggestions guys?

Many thanks,

Paulo

 

[rosssavage]

Paulo,

Should be a 50/50 mix. I get mine from my local Volvo truck and bus depot (Hayes, middx).

They have a 2000l tank - I bring two 20l drums and they fill them directly from the big tank. I can't remember the exact price, but it is significantly cheaper than buying Penta brand bottles from a chandlery, and it us EXACTLY the same stuff.

Getting it out to Greece is another issue - there must be a Volvo truck place out there somewhere?

Is it really special? I don't know, but considering the cost of my engines (TAMD 61A's) I use nothing but genuine Volvo parts and fluids on them.

 

[spannerman]

Its not any more special than any other decent antifreeze, The main thing is don't mix the old green with the new yellow Volvo a/f as they react and it forms a coating on the internals of the coolers which reduces the heat transfer and efficiency. If you are going to the newer type it is imperative that system is totally drained and flushed thoroughly, i.e. run up to temp with plain water, drained and flushed again before filling with the new type Yellow a/f.

 

[Paulo33]

So, for clarity, is it the "Volvo Type 90 Green" that is the new stuff that needs the cooling system flushed out before using? Or is the new stuff called something else with Yellow in the name?

 

[volvopaul]

Basically Volvo sell coolant ready mixed because it's mixed with purified water rather than just tap water which can be hard or soft depending on where you live. I certainly would not mix just antifreeze with med tap water as this may corrode the engine. I know alloy water tanks don't last as well in the med due to there tap water nit being as good as ours over here.

 

[aquatom]

Defiantly don't put Med tap water in. The calcium causes big problems. D12 - 800s and the D13s get blocked after coolers and melt the plastic covers over the top of them.
For the long term I would flush the system and change to the Volvo yellow ready mixed coolant.

 

[spannerman]

So, for clarity, is it the "Volvo Type 90 Green" that is the new stuff that needs the cooling system flushed out before using? Or is the new stuff called something else with Yellow in the name?

The Volvo a/f that comes in the new engines is yellow in colour and IIRC is called 'silicate free', this must not be mixed with the previous green colour a/f, so use one or the other but if changing to the new type yellow a/f thoroughly flush the system to get the green a/f out.