Closed loop cooling?
 

Hey Guys, on a single 454EFI application with closed loop cooling, what is the proper amount and procedure of coolant/water? the boat has been drained for the winter, but, the drain plugs in the block where left in, so, I need to know how much coolant and water [ratio] and the proper way to fill and "burp" the system, the boat is currently winterized, can you fill the system without the boat running?, any advice would be appreciated, this is my first experience with a closed loop system, so, any input is welcomed!

Thanks!
Michael

Michael, with closed cooling, are you sure the block was drained. The purpose of closed cooling is to leave the block full of anti-freeze/water so you dont have to drain the block for seasonal lay up.
You have to drain/winterize the raw water side of the system.

Ken

I dont think its completely drained, but, the hoses are off the bottom of the exhaust risers, and the hoses are off at the thermostat housing and the "big" hoses that look like rad hoses are off, I imagine there is still coolant in the block, but, there isn't any in the raw water side, or in the closed loop resevior at the front of the motor where the fill cap is.

Mike, attach all the hoses, fill the closed side with a 50/50 mix, there might be an air bleed fitting on the thermostat housing, if not pull the large hose (left side facing the engine) off and fill the block until coolant starts flowing out of the hose, the reattach, then fill expansion tank to proper level.

Splash the boat or hook to a hose and start. Run for a few minutes, watching temp gauge and expansion tank. If gauge doesn't move, not enough coolant or not hot enough, if tank empties out, add coolant to fill mark.

Ken

Great!, Sounds pretty straightforward, any tips on what antifreeze to use? or not use?, also, I didn't see a "fill" mark on my expansion tank, but, there is a small rubber line coming out of the top of the tank [I assume you mean the round tank at the front of the motor that the "bottom" big hose hooks to when you say "expansion tank"?] Is there a "ballpark" level I can fill it to?

Thanks Ken!, probably driving you nuts by now with these lame questions, but, I DO appreciate the info, its been a real time saver, and I have eliminated alot of questions and answered alot of questions by yourself and all the other members who where good enough to help me out, MUCH APPRECIATED!

Michael

Any good automotive anti-freeze. if you mix your own, use distilled water. If you are unsure about mixing buy the pre-mixed stuff.

No problem with the questions.

When you start boating again, I will be able to take the boat over.

Ken

Well, I managed to get the drive in oil in and cleaned the resevior out without recreating the "Exxon Valdez" so, I am pretty happy about that, I hooked up all the hoses and made sure everything was tight, I am getting ready to dump some coolant in, not sure how full the expansion tank should be?, there doesn't seem to be a fill mark?

Also, when I pulled the coolant line off the bottom of the exhaust manifold on the "drivers" side, there was coolant in the line?, is this normal?, I figured it would be either dry or have some water in it?, but, not coolant, unless the previous owner dumped coolant in the lines to winterize, not sure?, any input would be great!, Thanks Again!

Michael

Mike, I woldn't think finding coolant in that hose would be normal. that line is on the raw water side.

You are correct, maybe just plain water UNLESS the pervious owner dumped coolant in there in case there was residual water.

Can you call him and ask who winterized and did they do this?

Ken

Hey Ken

I will give him a call, he works out of town quite often, but, I will try and get ahold of him, this was the first boat he owned that had a steering wheel!, so, he was INSANELY meticulous about maintainance, and probably filled every coolant line on the boat with -100 antifreeze, I hooked up all the lines and filled the expansion tank, a few burps of air, but, that was about it, I left the cap off the expansion tank, and will check in the morning and see how much [if any] it has dropped and/or if I have 4 quarts of fresh coolant in the bilge, I assume when I fire the boat the coolant level will drop?, when it does I will just top up with distilled water and check the coolant with a tester to make sure the ratio is right, will keep you posted, and Thanks again! for all the help!

Michael

Michael, did you refill with just coolant or was it coolant and water mixed.

When you top off make sure you top off with a 50/50 mix.

If you top off with just water, you will dilute the 50/50 mix in the block, if you top off with just coolant, your concentration of coolant goes up.

Ken