| Author |
Message |
Joe (Homermandy)
Registered Member
Username: Homermandy
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 69.133.104.177
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 6:33 pm: | |
Trying to find the best location to drain block coolant to install the heater. There is a petcock below the exhaust manifold. How many gallons do you think would come out of the petcock? I'd rather not do the quick switcheroo method as the instructions say to put gasket sealer on the outside of the rubber gasket already provided with the Zerostart. Thanks |
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member
Username: Chessie4905
Post Number: 395
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.58.126.56
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 7:44 pm: | |
Why make it harder than necessary....drain it from the location where the block heater is going to be installed. When the coolant stops running out, dry off the mounting surface and install it. I'd get a container that holds at least 10 gallons. If you can find a 55 gal plastic drum cheap, or a steel one, cut off one end without the plug with a sawzall just enough to clear under engine and go to it. Gonna be handy for draining oil when it comes time too. At least the plastic ones aren't going to rust. |
Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member
Username: Bob_greenwood
Post Number: 602
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 64.136.49.228
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 8:03 pm: | |
yep... I've got the bottom of a 55 plastic drum cut about14 inches up...handy !! |
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member
Username: Njt5047
Post Number: 126
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 69.132.226.200
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 8:49 pm: | |
An MC 9 holds 10 gallons when ONLY the engine is drained. This assumes that the chassis heater system is isolated by turning off the heater valves. You didn't ID your bus, but an MCI has a drain in the lower crossover.
Don't forget to "burp" the air from the engine when you refill with coolant.
You need to get the coolant below the level of the area you are working on. The typical 6V92 block heater is mounted on a plate with 4 bolts that retain the unit. Get it good and clean, and be sure that the dipstick tube doesn't contact the block heater. You may have to "alter" the dipstick tube a little.
The "Quickie" insert without draining the coolant is OK with the pipe thread style block heaters. Messy but works with minimal loss of coolant. As far as I know, the pipe thread type heaters don't work well on a 6V92.
My "plate" type works well...warms both heads in cold weather within 2 hours. Engine cranks so well when warmed it's scary!
No matter the bus brand, plan to lose at least 12 gallons if you drain only the rad (s) and engine.
From experience, antifreeze doesn't evaporate off of the shop floor too well. This excellent discovery was after trying to install a pipe thread type block heater in a 6V92...bummer.
JR |
Dale Waller (Happycampersrus)
Registered Member
Username: Happycampersrus
Post Number: 292
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 69.19.14.17
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 9:44 am: | |
I use the rubbermaid tote boxes (walmart $6) they come with a lid. If you have to drain the engine or radiator for repair the tote boxes make for great storage to keep bugs, trash, and animals out of the antifreeze. |
Chuck Lott (Chuckmc8)
Registered Member
Username: Chuckmc8
Post Number: 197
Registered: 5-2004
Posted From: 74.224.76.185
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 12:59 pm: | |
When needed for temp antifreeze holding, I use one of our household 33gal rubbermaid trash cans. I just put a new liner in it and works great, esp since it has a locking lid (and will roll!) |
Joe (Homermandy)
Registered Member
Username: Homermandy
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 69.133.104.177
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 6:44 pm: | |
Well, an update. I finally got the block heater installed. It is a Zerostart plate type part# 8601712. I have a 6v92DDEC2 in a 1991 Eagle15. Engine is a reliabilt year 2001. A tip: I just loosened the lower bolts on the plate and slowly let the coolant drain into 1gallon buckets. Got about 12 gallons out before it got below the hole. RTVed the new plate and gasket in and refilled. Took about 3 hours, most of that slowly draining. I also removed the oil dispstick and fill tube. |
david anderson (Davidanderson)
Registered Member
Username: Davidanderson
Post Number: 196
Registered: 2-2004
Posted From: 66.90.201.12
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 10:51 pm: | |
Joe,
Why did you remove the oil fill tube? and did you have to make any modification of it when replaced?
David |
Joe (Homermandy)
Registered Member
Username: Homermandy
Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 64.56.98.158
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 8:02 am: | |
I removed the oil tube in the beginning thinking i would put a 5 gallon bucket there to catch antifreeze. It didn't fit, so the 1 gallon bucket trick and slooooowly draining worked. But it does give lots more room to work. |