A little more info needed, please. 400 Sedan Bridge

[JamesB]

I posted this in another thread but i think it may have gotten lost in the chatter.
Can anyone answer these two questions?

(1) What's the simplest or best way to tell what type of anifreeze is in the cooling syatem? The boat is a '99 the motors are 3116's i was told the heat exchangers were rebuild 2-3 years ago so i assume the new type, poly/prople or somthing like that was insalled but i don't know. It looks to be red maybe purple but i am told you can't tell from the color and it's a big no no to mix the new and old types together? Just want to be able to top them off when needed.

(2) Has anyone had the stupid redicules 28 gallon holding tank replaced with a 40 or 50 gallon one. What is involved?

Thanks
Jim

 

[peterkvs]

Jim,

The only coolant that you should ever use in the 3116 is Caterpillar ELC. It must be changed every 5 years as the corrosion inhibiters are used up by then. You can buy it from Cat. It is premixed 50/50 when you buy it. If you don't know when it was changed, or what coolant it really in the engines, you should change it. Old coolant or coolant not of the correct formulation can cause cavitation and air pockets in the engine which will cause damage to the engine as parts will overheat. You can take samples of the fluid or get cat to take samples and have it evaluated.

Good luck,

Pete

 

[HUMPH]

And you can add an extender instead of replacing every 5 years. Your holding tank should be 40 gallons I thought?

 

[JamesB]

Thanks for the info guys. The tank is only 28 gallons. I think they went to 40 in the next model year.

Jim