Kohler 4esz HEX

Strecker25

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Nov 20, 2014
4,905
Rochester, NY
Boat Info
2002 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 350HP 3126
so I might have made a mistake on winterizing our genset, a Kohler 4esz, this year. I normally have a checklist — fill bucket with 3 gallons of pink, run it off the bucket while also fogging.

I checked the sea strainer this weekend and it was basically clear. It smelled sweet like AF, and the ambient temp was around 26*F but it was not frozen. I pulled the “water” into a bottle and put it in the freezer for a night, it just slushed up.


So, what could be damaged? I’m thinking just the Heat Exchanger could have cracked? Maybe that’s what let the coolant AF into the water side and That’s why my sample didn’t freeze?

Mr. Cool has the HEX for like $300, so that’s not bad. The other thing I’m wondering about is the mixing elbow, not sure if that’s at risk or if it drains into the muffler. If all I have to do is swap the 20 year old heat exchanger I’ll consider it a learning experience.

Dumb mistake, but it happens I guess :)
 
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Eh, looked at the diagram, looks like the intake manifold is at risk too. Spring will be interesting.
 
I'm lost......did you or didn't you winterize the genset. If you didn't then you might have a problem.

If you did winterize it I don't see a problem. If you pulled pink stuff from the strainer and put it in the freezer....it did exactly what it was supposed to do.....slush up.
 
I'm lost......did you or didn't you winterize the genset. If you didn't then you might have a problem.

If you did winterize it I don't see a problem. If you pulled pink stuff from the strainer and put it in the freezer....it did exactly what it was supposed to do.....slush up.

I believe I put 3 gallons through it, from a bucket, via the seacock hose. Problem is the strainer is full of mostly clear liquid. That liquid slushed up in the freezer but it is absolutely not pink.

It was a hectic fall and I was more rushed than usual. Pink doesn’t just turn clear as far as I know, so maybe I screwed up. It’s weird the stuff slushed in the freezer, but whatever.

The question I have is more around what will freeze/crack if I did a shit job. From what I can tell it’s the heat exchanger and possibly intake manifold.
 
I just checked my log book, I used -60 this year (the bluish stuff) which looks oddly clear when it’s in small containers. That might explain it. What else is there to do in February than worry about boats? :)
 
I just checked my log book, I used -60 this year (the bluish stuff) which looks oddly clear when it’s in small containers. That might explain it. What else is there to do in February than worry about boats? :)

Exactly.....you have nothing to worry about....it sounds fine. I'm guessing that when you are done winterizing via the bucket.....you pour some of the blue stuff in the strainer to displace the water?

All of us have different techniques....I just find it easier to close the seacock, take the lid off the strainer and pour 2-3 gallons directly into the strainer with the gen running.
 
Exactly.....you have nothing to worry about....it sounds fine. I'm guessing that when you are done winterizing via the bucket.....you pour some of the blue stuff in the strainer to displace the water?

All of us have different techniques....I just find it easier to close the seacock, take the lid off the strainer and pour 2-3 gallons directly into the strainer with the gen running.

I pull it through the strainer. I take the hose off at the seacock end and stick that in the bucket. That -60 stuff is very deceiving, it was all WM had this year. I like to pink stuff better, easier to see and plenty of protection up here
 
I'm looking forward to a good Spring and great Summer with hopefully a lot less rain this year.:)
 

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