This article tells us about the change of coolant and zinc anode.
Frequency is the key engine maintenance. Correctly carry control changes coolant , oil filters, etc. respecting the parameters provided by the manufacturer by the user manual facilitates prolong the life and proper functioning of the engine. In fact, no other make a return on us to target the controls, maintenance and spare parts as recommended. Moreover, this information should be part of the logbook of the ship to be available to any problems. When selling the boat, having this information record speaks well of your care and will be useful to the person to buy it .
If you would like to have the boat in good condition it is always recommended that, when in doubt, consult a professional, but if moderately controlled safe handling basic tools that you will enjoy to overcome the small inconvenience that may arise.
ENGINE MAINTENANCE sloop “NERISSA”
We have taken a difficult example, because the ideal is to work in a wide engine chamber, with easy access; qualities of classic sailing boats lacking, especially if it is a repowering in which you have to change the position of the bed. Access to controls and work areas are not the same as those conceived in design to the original engine, some items are hidden and require more contortionist skills that mechanical.
And furthermore, if an engine is installed at an angle to creaked (the shaft exits to port centreline, not through the codaste) to accommodate a measuring ruler handicap in the race of his time. The boat chosen is the “Nerissa”, a classic sloop of 16,30 long by 3.85 wide, built in Cantiere Beltrami in 1965, which was remotorizado with Solé Diesel MINI-62 in 2004 .
WITH MANUAL HAND
Before you begin the task of changing coolant and corrosion protection is important to keep the manual handy and have read the chapter to respect the procedures, quantities of fluid replacement and details not less important, at this point and must be having taken into account as periods of time recommended for each change.
Begin by cooling this engine is by heat exchanger for forced circulation of liquid refrigerant is advisable to change every two years in normal use , using the recommended liquid. Some people prefer to use distilled water, but the cost difference is not important.
To unclog the engine compartment started to locate each item and plan the maneuver . The complete work also included oil change, filter and fuel tasks leave for another article. The decision was to start with the easiest and change the coolant. This same circuit leads connected to the water heater system and was easier to disconnect the two hoses and so break the circuit to proceed with emptying. Ideally , find a place to locate a bucket in the bilge , at the lowest possible level where the hose comes. If this is not possible with the circuit itself hose coupling must be some of the same diameter to reach a cube.
Another option is by unscrewing the two drain plugs situated one exchanger and one in the block and the liquid should be drained by gravity.
Once we have determined as locating the container to collect the liquid, put the engine and the circuit will emptied (not be so long as to running the engine warm) until no more liquid ejected coolant.
FILL WITH NEW LIQUID
When we finish emptying, we will connect the circuit to then fill it with new fluid. It is important to use the recommended coolant to avoid corrosion problems and even if it were possible freezing, because the ice dilation may cause cracks in the walls of the circuit.
While the manual indicates the amount of coolant that we use, as we incorporate what level control . When apparent will be filled with the appropriate cover and the engine running, to check for leaks. Leaks obviously the repair, then recheck the level; and that surely would have been air bubbles in the circuit. If necessary repeat the start-up operation to check that the level is complete and stable.
CORROSION PROTECTION: ZINC ANODE CHANGE
To take advantage of that we are working in the area of refrigeration, also will control the state of corrosion protection is recommended every 250 hours; although it depends on the place galvanic currents and this varies at each port or in different sites of the same port. Galvanic currents produce intense corrosion in certain metals. To prevent this corrosion affects vital engine parts is arranged a zinc anode, which corrodes and sacrificed by them. For this reason, wear varies and is no other know how fast is consumed.
If space maneuver is very simple. After closing inlet tap seawater and place a container receiving the water will fall slightly, just remove a screw / cap at the front cover of the water heat exchanger which extracts the zinc . If too deteriorated may have left residues inside we have to clean to correctly fit the new anode with care when threading the first threads of the cap to enter straight, adjust to the end and leaks .
CLEANING
It is very important to keep clean engine and its environment , the conduits and various elements of the compartment and bilge, paying particular attention to the fixings affected by vibration. This will allow us to identify the most likely source of a malfunction, or discover the leak of a liquid and a rapid solution.