COOLING SYSTEM
Description
Westerbeke marine diesel engines are designed and equipped for fresh water cooling. Heat produced in
the engine
by
combustion and friction
is
transferred
to
the fresh water which circulates throughout the
engine. This circulating fresh water cools the engine block and its internal moving parts. The heat is
transferred externally from the fresh water
to
sea water
by
means
of
a heat exchanger, similar in function
to an automotive radiator. Sea water flows through the tubes
of
the heat exchanger while fresh water
flows around the tubes; engine heat transferred
to
fresh water
is
conducted through the tube walls to the
sea water which is pumped into the exhaust system and discharged overboard. In basic terms, the engine
is cooled by fresh water, the fresh water
is
cooled
by
sea water, and the sea water carries the transferred
heat over the side through the exhaust system. The fresh water and sea water circuits are independent
of
each other. Using only fresh water within the engine allows the cooling water passages to stay clean and
free from harmful deposits. The two independent circuits and their components are discussed in the
following paragraphs.
Fresh
Water
Circuit
NOTE: Refer
to
paragraphs a and b in this section on the recommended antifreeze and
water mixture to be used as the fresh water coolant, and for information on filling the
fresh water system.
Fresh water is pumped through the engine
by
a belt-driven circulating pump, absorbing heat from the
engine. The fresh water coolant circulates through the engine's block absorbing heat, then passes through
the thermostat into the exhaust manifold. then
to
the heat exchanger where it is cooled, and then is
returned
to
the engine block through the suction side
of
the fresh water circulating pump. When the
engine
is
started cold, external fresh water
flow
is
prevented
by
the closed thermostat (although some
fresh water flow
is
bypassed around the thermostat
to
prevent the exhaust manifold from overheating). As
the engine warms up, the thermostat gradually opens, allowing the engine's fresh water coolant to flow
unrestricted to the external portion
of
the cooling system.
a. Fresh Water Coolant (Antifreeze) Mixture.
It
is
recommended that a fres water and antifreeze mixture be used year-round. Water, when it freezes,
expands suffiCiently
to
split the heat exchanger and crack the engine block. A water/antifreeze mixture
of
proper concentration will prevent feeling (see page
41
for an antifreeze/water mixture chart).
Use soft water with
few
impurities, such as tap water (potable water) or rainwater. Never use hard or foul
water.
Use
of
hard water or water containing impurities
will
lead to the collection
of
scale in the engine
and heat exchanger which will reduce the cooling system's efficiency.
Antifreeze
of
poor quality or without rust inhibitors will cause corrosion within the cooling system.
Always use antifreeze which
is
compatible
Witll
aluminum cooling system components and is made by a
reliable manufacturer. Never mix different brands
of
antifreeze.
Make sure that the cooling system
of
the engine
is
well cleaned before adding antifreeze.
Recommended antifreeze for year round use
is
ZEREX or PRESTONE with rust inhibitors.
In order
to
control the concentration
of
the mixture, mix the antifreeze and fresh water thoroughly before
adding it to the cooling system.
WESTERBEKE
GENERATORS
52