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Servicing Crusader 454 Heat Exchanger

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Ldmem410

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I am replacing the Heat Exchanger on one of my Crusader 454s. Should I fill the top half with pure antifreeze or a mixture. How do I fill the bottom half with water?
 
Well, it may be just me, but I am having some difficulty understanding the question. After you replace the heat exchanger, you need only top up the coolant level with your regular 50-50 mixture. Run the engine long enough to open the thermostat, like 5 minutes, and allow to cool. Check coolant level again. The raw water pump will take care of the rest.
 
The bottom "half" will fill as you pour in the top. Try not to go as high as 50% on the ethylene glycol, unless you really need freeze protection that cold. I would think J'ville FL would need only 30% mix or so. I don't run any anti-freeze, but i'm in S. Fl.
 
Thank you for the reply. As far as the bottom half, I wasn't sure if you were supposed to ensure it didn't have much air in the circuit somehow.
 
You'll need to purge the air from the coolant system. Look for a pipe plug on top of the T-stat housing - that's what it is there for. Don't be surprised if you need couple hot-cold cycles to get it all out. Two other items to keep in mind - good quality antifreeze is worth its cost and maintaining the pH of the coolant system will help minimize any corrosion inside.
 
do any of you guys run 70/30 instead of 50/50? That's what's called for in the Crusader manual. I know with anti-freeze more isn't necessarily "better", it can actually work against you.


Bob
 
I am usually about 60% water or more....it still provides adequate protection here in winter ...If my engines were to reach 200 degrees...I am on top of it long before it even gets close to overheating. I have corrosion resistance with this mix as well. Burns my butt to buy 50/50 antifreeze and pay for water. I'll keep buying un-dilute AF as long as they keep selling it SOMEWHERE and add my own water
 
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Bob: where did you see a specific recommendation regarding coolant makeup? Everything I remember seeing said the coolant makeup is determined by local conditions...

Like Al, I'll buy it pure and 'custom blend' what's needed for the application at hand.
 
Mark,

Great, you had to ask me to back it up with facts :) I was wrong on the ratio... here's what it says:

In the "Operation and Maintenance" manual on page 37 - "new coolant should be pre mixed with 60% water and 40% antifreeze".

When I mixed up my batch last year, I went slightly higher than 50% on the water myself. I didn't have marked containers so I eyeballed it once I got over 1/2 way.

I can't imagine it makes a huge difference in the running temp. I will check the freeze temp this year.

Bob
 
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