Had my 1980 O'Day 30 surveyed today. Surveyor noted that engine did not have a coolant overflow tank and indicated that one should be installed immediately, if not sooner. This didn't come up when I had boat surveyed when I purchased it. Looking all around engine compartment, I cannot find a place where the overflow tank would have even been installed. Engine is a Universal.
O'Day 30 engine coolant overflow
- Thread starter TinKicker
- Start date
KISS. Get a small Rubbermaid container with a screw on top, use wire ties to hang it on the wide of the engine compartment. Done.
What engine? Universal made many different models. It'as like saying I have a Chevy block...
Engines 101 - The BIGGEST & BEST collection of M25 Series Universal Engine Information on the Internet, plus some M35, too
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine
What engine? Universal made many different models. It'as like saying I have a Chevy block...
Engines 101 - The BIGGEST & BEST collection of M25 Series Universal Engine Information on the Internet, plus some M35, too
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine
You may not need an overflow tank. My heat exchanger has a fill neck that is four inches or so tall. That space is large enough for the expansion of the small amount of coolant in the system. I never add coolant and it never overflows. An overflow tank would be useless.
Overflow tanks are a convenience. Keeps coolant out of the bilge, and you don't want to be pumping coolant overboard so you'd have to mop it up.
However, it may be that your overflow hose is routed to a recess, and not the bilge.
I have 2 overflow hoses, one from the manifold and one from the water heater expansion tank. The hoses are routed to either side if the motor, to recesses between the engine mount stringers. If I put too much coolant in, she spits it back out when I run the motor. It's auto-leveling.
Now I just know how much should be in there when cold.
However, it may be that your overflow hose is routed to a recess, and not the bilge.
I have 2 overflow hoses, one from the manifold and one from the water heater expansion tank. The hoses are routed to either side if the motor, to recesses between the engine mount stringers. If I put too much coolant in, she spits it back out when I run the motor. It's auto-leveling.
Now I just know how much should be in there when cold.
TinKicker...... I own a 1983 O'Day 30' with a Universal 16 hp (model 5416) engine. The boat did not come with an engine coolant overflow tank. I purchased one from Hansen Marine who is a Universal/Westerbeke dealer. I installed it on the aft side of the bulkhead between the engine compartment and the galley and it can be viewed via the port side engine compartment hatch. Its a easy way to check the level of the coolant without taking off the radiator cap and eliminates any air pockets in the cooling system.
Google coolant overflow tank. I got mine through Amazon, something like $6.00. You may not need it, as mentioned, but then how many boat parts can you say you bought for under $10.00? There are fancy aluminum one for around $75. Absolutely no need to get a Marine Spec tank, any old tank will do. Lots and lots of options.
Lou
Lou