Adding coolant

[jmagel]

About 2 hours into our maiden spring voyage and got a low coolant alarm on strbd engine.

Currently letting engine cool at the fuel dock. Any advice on how long before I can open the full cap and is it ok to add the coolant they got here at the fuel dock?

Thanks for the quick help!

 

[SEVEN]

How hot did the motor get? How long has it set. Typically the motor gets hotter after you shut down.

 

[jmagel]

How hot did the motor get? How long has it set. Typically the motor gets hotter after you shut down.

Yeah - was worried about that. Engine was at full temp in the 170's. been off for about an hour, but cap is still very hot to the touch.

 

[MikeP]

Well, any coolant is better than no coolant if you have to get the boat home! But there is coolant specifically recommended for two stroke DDs so if you have those engines, you should use the proper coolant.

The 'safe" thing to do, of course is to wait until the engines are cool before checking the coolant level.
It's not what I'd do but it's the safe thing to do. There are plenty of internet suggestions re removing the cap with the engine hot. Do a search.

Of course, two important questions are:

If the coolant actually IS low and wasn't until the alarm triggered, where did the coolant go?

Is it actually low or is the sensor/alarm faulty?

Did the coolant temperature stay in normal range?

 

[jmagel]

Well, any coolant is better than no coolant if you have to get the boat home! But there is coolant specifically recommended for two stroke DDs so if you have those engines, you should use the proper coolant.

The 'safe" thing to do, of course is to wait until the engines are cool before checking the coolant level.
It's not what I'd do but it's the safe thing to do. There are plenty of internet suggestions re removing the cap with the engine hot. Do a search.

Of course, two important questions are:

If the coolant actually IS low and wasn't until the alarm triggered, where did the coolant go?

Is it actually low or is the sensor/alarm faulty?

Did the coolant temperature stay in normal range?

Temp was fine and I don't see any coolant in the bildge. As far as confirming the level... all I have to gauge is the glass bubble (and the silver overflow tank?) right? It's hard to tell the level.

 

[silverback]

About 2 hours into our maiden spring voyage and got a low coolant alarm on strbd engine.

Currently letting engine cool at the fuel dock. Any advice on how long before I can open the full cap and is it ok to add the coolant they got here at the fuel dock?

Thanks for the quick help!

Wait at least two hours if not more. I opened a themostat after one hour back int he day; hospital with second degree burns ; that stuff is hot. Use a large towel folded up when you do open her up covering the cap fully!!!

 

[jmagel]

Thanks for the safety advice. It still is very hot to the touch.

I'm starting to think it's the sensor. Glass bubble on the top shows fluid and the overflow tank is half full.

Does that sound like we're full??

 

[silverback]

Thanks for the safety advice. It still is very hot to the touch.

I'm starting to think it's the sensor. Glass bubble on the top shows fluid and the overflow tank is half full.

Does that sound like we're full??

Have no idea. I just want you to be extremely careful openignt that themostat. Personally I would go have a long lunch!

 

[SEVEN]

Better to side on caution. 1/2 day waiting could save 6 months of doctor visits for burns. Enjoy lunch and the sights in your area.

 

[Top Hatt Craig]

Thanks for the safety advice. It still is very hot to the touch. I'm starting to think it's the sensor. Glass bubble on the top shows fluid and the overflow tank is half full.Does that sound like we're full??

Coolant reservoirs can be misleading to actual coolant level. Normally the coolant expands when warm and raises the level in the reservoir, and when the engine cools, coolant is drawn back in the cooling system from the reservoir (as you know) providing the correct heat exchanger or radiator cap with the required check valve is used. When a sudden loss of coolant from a hose or out the exhaust occurs the level in the reservoir will not have changed.

 

[jmagel]

Turned out there was plenty of coolant - it was a false alarm. Ran 5 hours after with no alarms. Probably need to replace that sensor.

Thanks for all the quick help.

 

[SEVEN]

Luck you.