Adding Coolant to 272

[Pat]

This may be a crazy question so forgive. The 272 has a 10 hp Westerbeke
diesel...also has an coolant radiator in Lazarette...Here is my question. Do I
add coolant to the small little deal in the lazarette or take off the cap of the engine and add coolant directly at that point. I always check the coolant level in the lazarette, but never take the cap off the engine to check the fluid level
at that actual radiator cap. I've never changed the coolant either...just keep
adding periodically at the lcoolant container in the lazarette, but have never checked the level by removing the actual coolant cap on top of the engine.
Engine has been running fine since 1987. I do run antifreeze thru the engine
each fall when winterizing...thanks for your thoughts, Pat

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

If you have "never changed" the coolant or flushed the system, how do you know what type antifreeze to use? Antifreeze has a useful (limited) lifetime.

 

[Pat]

It is a coolant recovery tank in the lazarette...that is where I have added.periodically. ..I use prestone in the fall when winterizing...i.e. added to the engine using the engine fresh water hose at the thru-hull...I run maybe two gallons thru the engine until it runs out at the tail-pipe green. then shut her off...thanks

 

[cbourne200]

Pat - my A/F had actually gummed up and had clogged the overflow tube so that no A/F would flow back to engine from overflow. I've had boat for 3 years, but not sure when if PO had changed it. Started having overheating problems last summer - that's when I found the problem... If you haven't checked/changed it in a couple years, I'd recommend it. Pull hose off at engine reservoir and let A/F drain out of overflow.

Charles
'87 272
Pensacola

 

[Pat]

When you say "@ engine reservoir" do you refer to the tank on top of the engine...not the coolant recovery tank in the lazarette...I swear, I am not a mechanic, and I really do appreciate your knowledge...per Don's question, my westerbeke manual just states to add regular antifreeze as needed.....but I've always added to the recovery tank rather than taking the cap off the top of the engine...i Know; ignorance is not blisss....

 

[cbourne200]

Yes. The 'engine reservoir ' is located atop the engine vs the overflow/coolant recovery being in starboard Lazarette. If you have anything in this overflow and remove the top on the engine reservoir, all the content of the overflow will come out the engine reservoir where you removed the cap. At least that's how it works on my 272... Overflow is higher than reservoir to gravity feed coolant back to engine.

That's one way I knew A/F had gummed up - overflow stayed full when I removed reservoir cap and nothing came out. Took off reservoir end of hose but still no draining of A/F from overflow tank.

Charles

 

[Pat]

Very good information...I think that even I can follow that..so the gum up is at the engine hose from the tank..., or just in that particular line running between overflow / lazarette
and attaching to tank at engine? Your great! thanks, Patrick