topping off engine coolant in a 3YM30AE

[matts997]

Just bought a new (to me) 2018 Marlow 31 with a Yanmar 3YM30AE & SD25. After a 22 hr boat trip from Vancouver BC to my home port, the coolant level is below the low mark in the expansion tank and I assume I should fill it to the mid-point (which I always did for my 2GM20F). In the new boat the coolant filler cap is only a couple inches below the top of the engine compartment, so very difficult to access---but not impossible with some sort of funnel & hose arrangement. However, the coolant expansion tank is sitting right at the opening of one of the engine’s 4 access doors--so very tempting to top off the coolant from there.

Would there be any dire consequences of doing it this way?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Davidasailor26]

No downside at all. In fact that’s the preferable way to add coolant as long as it’s only low in the expansion tank and you’re not seeing signs of air in the closed circuit itself like overheating.

 

[jssailem]

Congrats on your new to you boat. As @Davidasailor26 shares, use the easy way to fill the coolant reservoir. That is why it is there.
Powering back from Vancouver BC is an adventure. Monitor your temp gauges. Coolant is not consumed in running your engine. It leaks out or boils over. Keep an eye on your coolant pump. After years of usage, the seals sometimes begin to weep. Examine your Heat Exchanger for possible blockage. On a new to me engine I like to check the impeller on the raw water pump. No telling when was the last one installed.

Hope to see you around the Everett docks or better yet sailing the sound.

 

[matts997]

Thanks. I thought it was probably OK, but it seemed prudent to double-check. So much to learn on a new boat! The 3YM w/ sail drive is a different beast than my older 2GM--e.g., took me a couple hours of searching/reading to understand that all the seawater in the engine passes through the sail drive.

Wish I could say I piloted the boat all the way down from BC, but I hired the broker to do that. My wife and I only have ~ 8 years of sailing experience and we were wary of sailing an unfamiliar boat that far at this time of year. Turned out to be a good call---the broker ran into some serious weather in Rosario Strait just north of Deception Pass.

You probably will see me around John....we’re moving to south P dock on Jan 1st.

Thanks again.

Matt

 

[jssailem]

That is great. I am on Q dock slip 34. I’ll be up there, off and on this winter. If I am, give me a shout or stop by. As has been recorded here, my boat is functional but still a mess from the last 21 months of auxiliary power rebuilding. Now I am punching forward to repair the interior so seating in the warmth of the cabin during winter is tenuous at best. We make do while sipping coffee or a little medicinal beverage.

 

[Ken13559]

Matt, I would love to see the photos of your engine compartment with the 3YM30AE, layout, space around sides etc...
I've a Hunter 326 and was contemplating changing my 2GM20F to 3YM30AE but might have space constrain in the compartment.
Thanks in advance.