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Topic: Engine anti-freeze capacity question (Read 1854 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Can anyone tell me the total capacity of the cooling system of a U320 with a M11400 hp engine?  Either amount of undiluted fluid or total capacity.

Thanks

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #1 –
My 2001 ISM11 cooling system capacity is 16 gallons total.  Same on the 1995 M11.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #2 –
Thanks Roger.  My spec sheets are still "lost in a box" after our recent move!

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #3 –
We are at Cummins, got the pinhole leak welded and now will flush system and fill with Cummins OAT. Should be good for a LONG time....I hope.
QUESTION: I was just at O' Reilly's, and asked the clerk how I can tell if a gallon of antifreeze on their shelf is "red". I got no intelligent response. Since the coolant from the previous owner was red, and considering that I did not know, from his paperwork , what brand of antifreeze he used....AND.....since I have to "top off" the Aqua Hot" with red coolant.....does anyone know how I can tell which to buy when I am at Walmart, or an auto supply shop??  Don't like the idea of " mixing" antifreeze.....bad things can happen.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #4 –
Agree, mixing can only be neutral or negative.

Sadly, color is NOT a universally adhered to standard for determining coolant type.  Said, some red coolants will be the same as what you have, others may be long life automotive (not diesels with liners) coolant.

And, requirements for Aqua hots are not necessarily the same, but some coolants may be compatible with both (check with Rudy or someone more familiar with Aqua hot requirements.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #5 –
Glenn, how did you temporarily fix the leak?

For your 2001 AH, it uses the same coolant as the engine.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #6 –
2001 Aqua Hot with no electronic control board and a radiator cap used engine coolant.  What ever you use in engine or generator is fine.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #7 –
Not trying to be funny but why don't you just buy a few gallons while at the Cummins dealer.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #8 –
I temporarily stopped the leak by first using an epoxy gas tank repair I got at Auto Zone, along with some " super tape " I got from Walmart ( the kind you see on tv ). The epoxy was applied while the antifreeze was shooting out of the pinhole. It held for about 3 minutes. My patch actually held up, and I got to Cummins about 12 miles away , without incident.
While there, they welded the pinhole, flushed the system ( it had been done in 2012 ), and I used Fleetguard OAT. I also bought two extra gallons of OAT, as I never see that in the auto stores.I also bought an extra antifreeze filter. The total bill was close to $900, including my " discount" from the Power Club. Cummins was VERY helpful over the holiday weekend.....just a little too expensive.  It is NOT the same antifreeze the PO used in the Aqua Hot system. He used something else. I am trying to determine what the " something else " is. I am not getting the answer I was hoping for.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #9 –
Fleetgaurd OAT is what Cummins used in my ISM11.  Works in your AH as well.  Be sure to check the coolant level in your AH.  When it is cool remove the cap at the top of the AH case and stick your finger in.  You should feel coolant.  Last time I added coolant it took a cup ot so.  Make sure the overflow tank is up to the cold line.  Rudy tells me that heat and time are hard on the tubing from the AH to the overflow tank.  It should be pliable, not hard and rigid.  If it is replace it.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #10 –
Glenn,

The newer Aqua Hot heaters with electronic control board, AHE 100 04S, and even newer ones with white painted cases and no radiator cap, AHE 600D, use the something else - GRAS boiler antifreeze.  Generally Recognized As Safe boiler fluid is drinkable without killing you.

Either buy more boiler fluid or flush and return to engine antifreeze for your heater.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #11 –
OK. I'm very confused. Roger....where do I stick my finger? Is it near the unit, and separate from the overflow tank? ALSO.....If Cummins put the OAT in the main cooling system, do I still have the older coolant in the AH system? Are they separate?? DO I have to drain the AH and install OAT?? I don't want to mix the two, but I still have a gallon of the older stuff left by the PO. I am concerned that I am mixing two coolants now!!???
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #12 –
I just realized that no one responded to my questions posted four days ago. I am especially concerned about my lack of understanding of the antifreeze in the Aqua Hot system. If Cummins flushed my cooing system and replaced the coolant with OAT , is the Aqua Hot part of THAT system ??? IS the Aqua Hot now OAT?? .Once again, I don't want to mix antifreeze when I top off the holding tank for the Aqua Hot. Can somebody please respond to this question. Thanks.

Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #13 –
Your Aqua Hot is a self contained system. For information on it your best bet is to send Rudy an E Mail.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #14 –
Quote from: GleamB –
I just realized that no one responded to my questions posted four days ago. I am especially concerned about my lack of understanding of the antifreeze in the Aqua Hot system. If Cummins flushed my cooing system and replaced the coolant with OAT , is the Aqua Hot part of THAT system ??? IS the Aqua Hot now OAT?? .Once again, I don't want to mix antifreeze when I top off the holding tank for the Aqua Hot. Can somebody please respond to this question. Thanks.

Your coach engine coolant is independent of your AquaHot coolant. They do not mix and are separate systems.  Same with generator coolant - seperate system.  So 3 independent coolant systems.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Engine anti-freeze capacity question

Reply #15 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
Your coach engine coolant is independent of your AquaHot coolant. They do not mix and are separate systems.  Same with generator coolant - seperate system.  So 3 independent coolant systems.
+1 for Dan

And Glenn, you just had the engine system drained, flushed and refilled with Fleetguard OAT coolant.  That's good!
 
The three self contained systems each have their own radiators as well as overflow jugs.  Jugs that should rise and fall with each system heatup and cooldown cycle.  It's important that you note the overflow jug behaviors because if an overflow jug starts acting abnormally (doesn't fill with system heatup, doesn't draw down on system cooldown) there is something wrong and you need to figure it out.
 
So that we don't have to carry separate spare coolants, many, probably most, of us use the same Fleetguard OAT in the generator and Aqua Hot systems as well.  The engine has the most demanding environment and needs, but the other two are good fits with Fleetguard OAT as well.

Only you can answer when the generator and Aqua Hot systems were last drained, flushed and what is in them now.  If you don't know for sure, it's much safer and well worth it to be conservative by just draining, flushing and refilling the other two with OAT soon.  Then carry a couple spare gallons of OAT.  When an ISM engine coolant system is properly flushed and changed, it won't be uncommon for trapped air to pass during the next 1 to 2K miles and may require several quarts of makeup, over time, to the overflow bottle.  The Gen. and Aqua Hot will "burp" for a bit too but the system volumes are much smaller, so not as much makeup required.  Some shops (and DIY's) have the means to vacuum fill a coolant system when refilling it, obviating air hideout, but that isn't the norm.  While nice, vacuum fill isn't mandatory.  Just watch the overflow jug more carefully, especially early on after refill.

You will have records in your paperwork but it is also important that DATED Fleetguard OAT stickers are liberally displayed near all three overflow/makeup jugs to prevent some future "yahoo" from contaminating your invested time and materials with some other type of anti-freeze coolant.

HTH,
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten