[Ste3505]

I have recently purchased a 2004 38 Open with 480hp Cummins 6CTAs. Used on the Chesapeake Bay and is on the hard during the winter. My question is how much antifreeze to use per engine. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[momentum]

I use one gallon per engine on my 8.3's in my 4000. Use a shop vac to clear cooling circuit ,you must open 2" raw water line after the sea water pump an vac till empty . Then remove 2" riser line , turn vac on and pull anti thru sys backwards . If you save the anti you can pour it in the mufflers after you drain Them . I vac all lines empty to save anti ,its not too hard but does take a little more effort .

[Ste3505]

Thanks for the reply, it is appreciated. Do you also know how much antifreeze if you run the engines and pour it in the seawater strainer?

Thanks

[Uhehner]

When I lived up north I would just pour straight non toxic anti-freeze into the sea strainer until I could see it coming out the exhaust pipe with good color. That would take care of the engines, strainers and the mufflers. Come spring I would catch as much as I could with buckets while running the engines on land. Then I would test the freeze level, add more antifreeze and save it until next fall. Remember this antifreeze does not have to stay liquid all winter. It can turn to slush, you are not running the engines. You just don't want a hard freeze. Don't forget the hot and cold water system, heads, shower sump, wash down and A/C pumps and also dump some in the bilge.
Capt. George

[ReelMagic]

I winter in the water in the northeast and have been doing so for nearly 10 years now. Have a 38 open w/450 cummins. Use 6 gallons on non-tox antifreeze for each engine. Have a bucket with a hose on the bottom hooked to the top of the raw water strainer. Through the hull valve off. Start the engine and when the non-tox is gone I shut off the engine. That's it. Take less than 1hr for both motors. Drain the raw water strainer and mufflers as well. Never had a problem.

[Ste3505]

Captain George

Thanks

[Ste3505]

Reel Magic

This is the info what I was looking for - Thanks

[justrollin]

For those of us that have them, dont forget to give the windshield washer a push and run antifreeze threw them.

[Chris Burkard]

Most Cummins Diesels require a certain PH Balanced Anti-freeze. Make sure you are using the correct stuff. I'm not sure why Cummins specifies a certain PH of Coolant, but there is likely a good reason for it. Check your manuals just to be sure.

[sawdustdad]

I think the spec for Cummins antifreeze is for the block cooling system, not the raw water circuit. I use 6 gallons each engine, poured into the strainers, and watch it come out the exhaust. 3700 Open, on a lift all winter, in Virginia. 6CTAs. Simple task.