Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-09-2020, 03:52 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
City: englewood florida
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 168
Antifreeze

I want to carry a gallon of antifreeze 50/50 in order to top off the engine if required. I have a Perkins diesel and the color of current solution is yellow. Is the yellow antifreeze zerex?? Does it make any difference what I use?? Thanks,cliff
cbouch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 05:25 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
City: Supply, NC
Vessel Model: 2006 Mainship 34T
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 135
I'm far from an expert but I carry a gallon of premix Prestone green I think that says it is compatible with all antifreeze types. Naturally my generator has green and my Yanmar has an orange color. Good thing is that since they were serviced when I bought the boat I haven't had to add any. Don
DonW28 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 05:43 AM   #3
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
Antifreez needs to be changed out every 2-3 years, if your boat is new to you , dump what is in the engine , use a good 2 part cleaner , then flush flush , flush.

Refill with whatever Da Book recommends , at least 1/3 AF in warm climates, 1/2 where it can freeze.

Buy extra and log what you installed in your maint book.

If the boat IS new to you , its a good idea to do the engine & tranny oil & filters.

If you want good reliability change the belts and hoses and sea water impeller too.
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 06:08 AM   #4
Guru
 
City: Galveston, Texas
Vessel Model: 24" El Pescador
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 744
I think I know that you aren't supposed to mix colors. Maybe it's mixing blue with green can cause a gummed up condition--can't recall exactly, follow the book is best idea and refill with what is in there.
__________________
Ken Diestler
Galveston, Tx
ktdtx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 06:27 AM   #5
Guru
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,121
Not sure about compatibility in general but safest approach is to use same brand/type or to use a "universal". We always used Zerex universal in all systems. Can be added to other types until such time as you flush/replace total volume with fresh (Xerex)

http://www.solventsandpetroleum.com/...lity-chart.pdf
Chrisjs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 07:02 AM   #6
Technical Guru
 
Ski in NC's Avatar
 
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
Don't mix coolant flavors in a Yanmar!! Those are very picky on coolant.
Ski in NC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 07:27 AM   #7
Guru
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,121
The other consideration apart from "universal" is "long life" -- good for 5 years!!
Chrisjs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 08:50 AM   #8
Guru
 
City: Alexandria, VA
Vessel Model: 2000 Wellcraft
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,467
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski in NC View Post
Don't mix coolant flavors in a Yanmar!! Those are very picky on coolant.
Our Yanmar 6LYA ‘s manual specifically says to use the red kind.
Group9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 09:42 AM   #9
Technical Guru
 
Ski in NC's Avatar
 
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
Yep, Yanmar has a specific spec that most red ELC (extended life coolant) meets. Spec is in the book.
Ski in NC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 09:53 AM   #10
Guru
 
rgano's Avatar
 
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,984
OK, to the original poster, what engine do you have? Never trust a previous owner to have the correct fluids in an engine. I changed EVERYTHING to manufacturer's spec the first week i owned this boat. Gotta have a known baseline.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
rgano is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 10:42 AM   #11
Guru
 
Cigatoo's Avatar
 
City: Narragansett Bay
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 36 Classic #715
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,857
Quote:
Originally Posted by Group9 View Post
Our Yanmar 6LYA ‘s manual specifically says to use the red kind.
Dex Cool GM extended life coolant meets Yanmar’s requirements. Can find in Walmart. Prestone also makes a dex cool (GM approved) coolant.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone-...QaAgSiEALw_wcB
__________________
Carl
Cigatoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 10:43 AM   #12
Guru
 
Cigatoo's Avatar
 
City: Narragansett Bay
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 36 Classic #715
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,857
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski in NC View Post
Don't mix coolant flavors in a Yanmar!! Those are very picky on coolant.
Extremely important
__________________
Carl
Cigatoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 11:09 AM   #13
Guru
 
Portage_Bay's Avatar
 
City: Coupeville Wa.
Vessel Name: Pacific Myst
Vessel Model: West Bay 4500
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,413
I won't mix antifreeze / coolant types. There are horror stories of some incompatible types forming a jelly like substance. I've had that happen, the clean up of the engine and keel cooler was extensive and expensive.

I did some research following that incident and it appears to be rare now, but still can happen. Why risk it?

As for the recommendation to use the engine manufacturer's specified coolant. Just do it.

Coolant cost compared to cost of engine / cooling system work is cheap. Why take chances?
Attached Images
 
__________________
Some things are worth doing simply because they are worth doing.
Portage_Bay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2020, 11:54 AM   #14
Guru
 
City: Alexandria, VA
Vessel Model: 2000 Wellcraft
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,467
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski in NC View Post
Yep, Yanmar has a specific spec that most red ELC (extended life coolant) meets. Spec is in the book.
I can never remember the real name for it.
Group9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012