Draining antifreeze from Yammar for spring

[AdamCermak]

Newb question, I know. I can dream up several ways to get the antifreeze out of our 1999 Beneteau 321's Yanmar IB diesel, but I'm hoping someone out there already has the best way sorted out and can post it.

(1) remove the fresh water pump impeller; put a fresh water hose into the thru hull fitting for the fresh water (perhaps with a clever plug); stick a bucket under the exhaust; and turn on the hose.

(2) Per (1), but keep in the impeller in place, run the engine.

One could also disconnect the fresh water line leading to the pump and connect up a line leading to a big bucket of fresh water, too.

What to do? How much antifreeze should I expect, that is, how big a bucket should I use??

1,000 thanks in advance for any guidance!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Don't connect a pressure hose in hopes of flushing out the system. You will do more harm than good by doing that.

Most Yanmars has multiple heat exchanger drains with which you can remove most of the coolant.

Are you replacing it with an incompatible antifreeze or just renewing it? The answer to that would determine the process to use.

 

[AdamCermak]

Thanks, Don. Looking to commissioner her for the spring, so I'm looking to completely remove the antifreeze from the fresh water side of the engine.

 

[duality]

well, just launch the boat and start the engine, the fresh water will force the antifreeze out the exhaust. i m pretty sure thats how everyone does it. i ve always done it this way.

mike

 

[Ron20324]

... launch the boat and start the engine, the fresh water will force the antifreeze out the exhaust. i m pretty sure thats how everyone does it. i ve always done it this way. {/quote]

Unless someone has come up with a use for used antifreeze, they do just as Mike said. Put it in the water and start her up. Of course, maybe the old antifreeze would be good in the holding tank next winter???

 

[AdamCermak]

Thanks, Duality. We are in a federal no discharge zone which, although technically concerning sewage, means the Federales are concerned about water quality. So, while simple, pushing it into the Bay isn't going to work.

 

[srhummer]

If winterization was done correctly the antifreeze used is not a problem.

The chemical in antifreeze that resists freezing is either ethylene glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG). Ethylene glycol makes a good antifreeze/coolant, but it’s a poison that’s deadly to pets and wildlife and makes disposal problematic. It is the stuff you use in your car and in the coolant side of the boats desiel. It has a lite bright green color. Propylene glycol is odorless, tasteless, biodegradable, and nontoxic. While it is slightly more expensive to produce, it offers a combination of safety and effectiveness that makes it a superior choice for marine use. It is used in the raw water side and in the fresh water (potable) systems of a boat. It is red/pink in color.

 

[AdamCermak]

Thanks again for the replies. I'll have to check with the mechanic on which AF was used on the fresh water side, but if that's all there is to it, and with that local knowledge (sorry Duality), we should be good. And I bought those buckets for nothing....

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Wait a minute; we have two discussions about two different fluid circuits in the engine. The FRESH water side is the closed circuit, probably filled with the toxic green stuff, that runs between the engine and the heat exchanger. That does NOT get flushed out by running the engine. The RAW water side takes in sea water and circulates it thru the heat exchanger and exits into the exhaust. That does get flushed simply by running the engine, and is winterized with the non-toxic pink stuff. Which one are you talking about?

 

[Ted]

Paul is correct. There is no reason to drain the engine (fresh water circuit) antifreeze unless you want to replace the antifreeze because it is old. You will always want to keep antifreeze in the engine even in the summer. Adam you are about to ask your mechanic the wrong question. You are dealing with the antifreeze in the heat exchanger not the engine.

 

[AdamCermak]

Sorry about the confusion I caused by using the wrong word. I mean RAW water side, of course.

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Sorry about the confusion I caused by using the wrong word. I mean RAW water side, of course.

In that case, just run your engine.

 

[Warren Milberg]

While Herring Bay is a designated NDZ, I do not think you are prohibited from pumping the antifreeze from the raw water side of your engine into it. I do it every spring. FYI, here is the Federal Register item:
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2002/January/Day-10/w627.htm

 

[AdamCermak]

Folks:

Warren - thanks for the Fed. Reg. cite, I love that pub. And for the personal experience.
Paul - ditto.

My mechanic circled back, and they properly used the PG AF.

Thanks again everyone for holding my hand on this one. Now on to fretting about my newest worry: thru hull fittings and seacocks.