6v92 mc9 adding coolant in freezing temps

[neoneddy]

Because I%u2019m an idiot I just now checked my coolant to find it%u2019s only good to -20f

I figured I%u2019d drain a few gallons, then add coolant back, then recheck.

Problem is, even after running for 10-15 min, When I open the drain to pull a sample, I%u2019m getting fresh coolant. I%u2019m worried I need to get the Tstats to open to get a proper mixing. Problem is, at 6f , that won%u2019t happen.

Any ideas?

[richard5933]

Does your bus have a pump to recirculate the coolant to the HVAC system and/or front defrost? That would bring the fresh coolant forward.

Not sure if it will help bringing the coolant into the engine though, as for that to happen you'll have get the thermostats to open.

My engine has a petcock to drain the block, and another at the top of the thermostat housing designed to burp the air out when filling. If you have the same setup, is there a way for you to work those two petcocks to drain from one while filling from the other by rigging a piece of vinyl hose to one of the petcocks to feed fresh concentrate into the engine?

[buswarrior]

Ruthless strategy: start engine, all defroster and heaters off, and put the transmission in gear and let it sit and run, it will come up to temp.

Best safety strategy is to not leave it unattended in this condition...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[neoneddy]

Buswarrior, that’s a great tip. I may try it.

[David Anderson]

Cover the radiator with a blanket and drive it.  It will come up fast.  I did that to mine in 20 degree weather and it shot to 190 in less that 4 miles.  Pulled the cover off and dropped instantly to 170. 

Try it.  See if it works for you. 

David

[luvrbus]

Detriots don't have full closing Tstat's in 6v92's highway engine cover it or use BW instructions to warm it up or pull your test from the block

[6805eagleguy]

What’s been said. Get on the highway and do what your signature says. Raise some ****

Drive it like your a hired hand🙂

[luvrbus]

What’s been said. Get on the highway and do what your signature says. Raise some ****

Drive it like your a hired hand🙂

He could plug his block heater in over night

[neoneddy]

My block heater is on and the diesel air heater is on inside to keep the front stuff warm.

Looks like I’ll be doing a winter flush and fill. Oh well, better than having a split block , lifted head, etc.

Had a sample of my coolant mix pre coolant concentrate add and it’s frozen now (-6f) .  I have a second sample out from after I added 3 gals , it’s still liquid.

[luvrbus]

Good luck the 2 strokes have so many freeze plugs I never saw one split the block or raise a head.The plugs that come out are always on the rear where you have to pull the engine to replace 

[neoneddy]

@luvrbus

I think I’m out of the woods. My final mix never froze. Started and ran this morning (-5), no coolant leaks on the ground, oil looked good.  Block heater was on all night .

Everything is closed today, so I’ll wait until tomorrow, buy a mess of coolant concentrate and add it.

[luvrbus]

Good those little block heaters do a good job when left on all night

[DoubleEagle]

An antifreeze mix won't suddenly freeze solid at the indicated temperature of the mix. It gradually turns to soft slush and eventually gets hard, assuming the mix is uniform everywhere in the system. It's a question of how lucky you feel, and how strong the freeze plugs are. The heater up front is a long way from the block heater.

[dtcerrato]

An antifreeze mix won't suddenly freeze solid at the indicated temperature of the mix. It gradually turns to soft slush and eventually gets hard, assuming the mix is uniform everywhere in the system. It's a question of how lucky you feel, and how strong the freeze plugs are. The heater up front is a long way from the block heater.

The 400W immersion heater we installed in the booster coolant heater loop I would think would help in a situation like that?

[neoneddy]

I left the diesel air heater running all night. It kept it around 45 inside. It runs inside the bay for the heater core. Keeps it warmer than ambient for sure. Just fire it up again this afternoon, sounded as good as ever.   

This bus gives me so much an it:-)