40 sedan bridge forum

I have a winterizing question for Cummins 450 Diamond series owners.

How many gallons of antifreeze do you put in each engine ? How about a 10kw generator.
Just researching early.
I’ve begun my “strainer flush kit project” and will share results. I have an idea after looking at my3sons project. Thanks for sharing all.
 
I have a winterizing question for Cummins 450 Diamond series owners.

How many gallons of antifreeze do you put in each engine ? How about a 10kw generator.
Just researching early.
I’ve begun my “strainer flush kit project” and will share results. I have an idea after looking at my3sons project. Thanks for sharing all.

If you are just looking for a way to introduce the pink into the engines, you may just want to remove the Groco strainer cap which you do anyway to clean the strainer, thread in a 3” pvc adaptor attached to a hose (Home Depot, I use inch and a half) pull bottom anode plug out of the aftercooler (that is the only place that there will be sitting water besides the muffler, everything else drains out through the shaft seals if the boat is hauled) replace the anode, pinch off the shaft seal hose with a vice grip or clamp so that half the pink doesn’t run out through the shafts, fill a 5 gallon bucket with pink, stick the hose to your homemade strainer adaptor in the bucket, admiral or helper starts the engine, you immediately pour in one more gallon for a total of 6 (be quick, engine will suck that bucket dry in about ten seconds), shut off engine. Person at the helm looks to verify pink came out bypass exhaust port. Remove clamp on shaft seal hose (system will drain through shaft seals, you will see it run out from both shafts if you have crossover shaft cooling). Put your regular strainer cap back on. Repeat on the other engine.
Most people don’t drain the aftercooler first, they just push the water through with the pink, but it only takes a minute to pull the plug so I do it.
If you want to make a cap up for fresh water flushing as well as winterizing, you certainly can use the setup I made that you referenced, it’s just more work just for winterizing.

For the Onan generator, I just pull the hose off the strainer and stick it in the bucket, 2 or 3 gallons gives a good flow of pink out the exhaust. Done.
Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Greg, quick update...I looked at my transom locker today, and now remember having to order the 1/8” thick material after first ordering the 1/4” and it being too thick. Hope I caught you in time for that.
Drafter, I haven't ordered it yet, thanks, Greg
 
I have a winterizing question for Cummins 450 Diamond series owners.

How many gallons of antifreeze do you put in each engine ? How about a 10kw generator.
Just researching early.
I’ve begun my “strainer flush kit project” and will share results. I have an idea after looking at my3sons project. Thanks for sharing all.
As my3sons said. Couple notes...

Check for a drain on your muffler on the Gen as well. Mine has one but the previous owner may have installed. I purchased the pre-made caps from Defender (TRAC FLUSH CAP) I wasn't thinking of making one for 5 bucks. Wish I did.

I fill the 5 gallon bucket and have a couple more gallons in a port-o-flush Jr. Turn that is feeding the five gallon bucket. I connect it to a bilge light so I can turn it on from the transom and start the engines. Stops me from having to run all over the place pouring more ETC. I also drain the aftercoolers after as well because whey even leave liquid in there if you don't need to right?

Also don't forget about the AC unit. That will take a couple gallons as well and it does not like to Prime so the Port-o-flush comes in handy there as well.

Another note is for the engines use the engine pink /purple/blue antifreeze, not the basic RV water system stuff for your engines. It has lubricating properties that help protect seals and stuff I think its worth the couple more bucks.

Another thing I do is after running the antifreeze through the toilets I lube the seal with some PAM so it does not get dry and brittle from the antifreeze and cold winter months. 20190927_105719.jpg
 
Confession time. When I first read about you guys taking out the ice maker or fridge under the helm stairs and repurposing the space for storage, I thought you were nuts. I mean, who wouldn’t want a fridge there, so you wouldn’t have to go all the way to the galley for a cold one? That was before I bought - and began using - my 400. The ice maker was non functional and it’s been “on the list” to replace with a fridge. We have an RTIC 65 cooler in the aft cockpit (which we are likely downsizing to a 45) but we found that when we are underway, we take a small cooler to the helm with us anyway. So having a fridge under the steps seems irrelevant to us. So today I took out the non working ice maker. And wow! Bill, my apologies for all those unspoken comments about your mental state! Lol. There’s tons of room under there - way more than just the size of the ice maker. Here’s a pic, which doesn’t do it justice.

0F7332BE-5B52-42B9-9B82-019111C99475.jpeg

What you can’t see is the space to the left, under the bottom step. And yes, the space extends all the way to the hull. And let’s not even mention the access to the electrical panel and stereo amp wires! So now that that is out, we are thinking of how to finish that space for maximum storage efficiency. I’d love to see what others have done. I know there are several of you. If you could post pics, that would be great. Thanks!

Also, if you’re curious what the ice maker model is/was because you might want to look up dimensions for a replacement, here it is:
209F6E76-ACE2-4E6C-B5E6-08F5E3B91A88.jpeg
28D980D1-C256-4E77-B8FB-6C65AB16EF36.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • 70FC7DE7-DB08-421B-91AD-4015BC92CE00.jpeg
    70FC7DE7-DB08-421B-91AD-4015BC92CE00.jpeg
    69.5 KB · Views: 158
29F4FAB9-4792-4DCE-97B5-F10632F58A4D.jpeg
Replaced door with non louvered type

When not traveling(not on the boat all the time) grill’s in there
84FE21A7-9200-47DA-8613-9EDA692E8C31.jpeg


Along with travel hoses, travel cords
F42F7DBF-BEBB-4D1A-A1C7-E8B28D2FBEDF.jpeg


Shop vac and oil sampling stuff
7AFC33D8-D172-4202-A46E-075CAD63D554.jpeg


Fire extinguisher, laundry detergent, running lights for dink, etc
4B9905AF-2181-4F27-ACE0-8A1CCAE24751.jpeg


Also made this tray for holding the yeti securely as sometimes that lives in there
F8403733-54D6-4412-9557-F3E1232411AC.jpeg

And that’s nothing, you should see what’s in there when we’re traveling long term.

Oh, and no offense taken :)
 
Last edited:
Anyone have trouble installing the port oil filter on a 3116 (2000 400DB)

Just cannot get it started.

Cat says I have the correct filter. 1R-1807.
 
Mark! That’s brilliant! What size Yeti fits in there?

Love the cords and hoses. My travel electrical cords live under the sofa in the settee. I hate that. Would love a place to stash the dinghy gear, too. The port stateroom is way too full. Thanks for the ideas. The admiral (yep, 3 weeks ago she got a promotion from first mate) will love these ideas.
 
Last edited:
View attachment 75319 Replaced door with non louvered type

When not traveling(not on the boat all the time) grill’s in there
View attachment 75320

Along with travel hoses, travel cords
View attachment 75321

Shop vac and oil sampling stuff
View attachment 75323

Fire extinguisher, laundry detergent, running lights for dink, etc
View attachment 75324

Also made this tray for holding the yeti securely as sometimes that lives in there
View attachment 75325
And that’s nothing, you should see what’s in there when we’re traveling long term.

Oh, and no offense taken :)
 
Scooper 321, I’m planning on removing my freezer/ice maker from the cockpit, what do I need to remove to slide out?






Confession time. When I first read about you guys taking out the ice maker or fridge under the helm stairs and repurposing the space for storage, I thought you were nuts. I mean, who wouldn’t want a fridge there, so you wouldn’t have to go all the way to the galley for a cold one? That was before I bought - and began using - my 400. The ice maker was non functional and it’s been “on the list” to replace with a fridge. We have an RTIC 65 cooler in the aft cockpit (which we are likely downsizing to a 45) but we found that when we are underway, we take a small cooler to the helm with us anyway. So having a fridge under the steps seems irrelevant to us. So today I took out the non working ice maker. And wow! Bill, my apologies for all those unspoken comments about your mental state! Lol. There’s tons of room under there - way more than just the size of the ice maker. Here’s a pic, which doesn’t do it justice.

View attachment 75318
What you can’t see is the space to the left, under the bottom step. And yes, the space extends all the way to the hull. And let’s not even mention the access to the electrical panel and stereo amp wires! So now that that is out, we are thinking of how to finish that space for maximum storage efficiency. I’d love to see what others have done. I know there are several of you. If you could post pics, that would be great. Thanks!

Also, if you’re curious what the ice maker model is/was because you might want to look up dimensions for a replacement, here it is:
View attachment 75317
View attachment 75316
 
Scooper 321, I’m planning on removing my freezer/ice maker from the cockpit, what do I need to remove to slide out?

The door and it’s frame. It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s held in by screws and caulk. Once you take it off, the opening is then large enough to get the ice maker out. It’s prob2blh supported by a frame made of compression board. That’s easily unscrewed (4 screws). And the ice make itself is held by 4 more. Then unplug the power from the AC outlet and unscrew the water fitting. Make sure you turn OFF the water feed from the fresh water manifold to the ice maker first!
 
The door and it’s frame. It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s held in by screws and caulk. Once you take it off, the opening is then large enough to get the ice maker out. It’s prob2blh supported by a frame made of compression board. That’s easily unscrewed (4 screws). And the ice make itself is held by 4 more. Then unplug the power from the AC outlet and unscrew the water fitting. Make sure you turn OFF the water feed from the fresh water manifold to the ice maker first!
You have a water manifold? 2002 and before don't. We have a big old long 22mm diameter trunk with tons of branches off of it. The ice maker water cutoff is on one of those branches at the engine room water spigot above the starboard transmission.
 
You have a water manifold? 2002 and before don't. We have a big old long 22mm diameter trunk with tons of branches off of it. The ice maker water cutoff is on one of those branches at the engine room water spigot above the starboard transmission.

Ha ha. Busted. You are correct. I spoke without looking. My old boat (320DA) had a fresh water manifold. This one does not. Just discrete hoses and valves. The valve was already off on my ice maker hose, so I didn’t have to access it for my removal. Sorry for the confusion!
 
Thanks for the water flow diagram!
I’ve never used the dock side water hook up, has anyone had trouble with the water pressure causing leaks?
I haven’t checked to psi at the dock side water.
 
Thanks for the water flow diagram!
I’ve never used the dock side water hook up, has anyone had trouble with the water pressure causing leaks?
I haven’t checked to psi at the dock side water.

Yes. I use it every time I go to a new marina. But I would never connect my hose directly to the marinas outlet. I have a pressure reducer (that you can get in any RV or marine supply store) that I put on first, along with a water filter.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the water flow diagram!
I’ve never used the dock side water hook up, has anyone had trouble with the water pressure causing leaks?
I haven’t checked to psi at the dock side water.

I use dockside water hookups all the time at my home marina and most all of the marinas we visit. Have never had any problems. There is a pressure regulator built in to the dockside plumbing. It is # 48 in Scoopers diagram above.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,869
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top