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webasto antifreeze type
Hey guys,
I lost some antifreeze from my webasto system while fixing a seeping hose. I assume i can top it off with any good quality boiler antifreeze. I was thinking of using Cryo-Tek-100 prediluted. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Jeff
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL -
16 Replies
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I would think that yours is like ours…. its using the engine coolant. You would want to match what’s in there now I’d think.
There is a world of discussion about engine coolant. I use the Detroit extended. The RED stuff.
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL -
Jeff ,
Webasto heat exchangers use the main engine coolant. So the coolant lost is what ever you use in the engine.
As a note, the post 2003 or so Aqua Hot heaters use GRAS (generally recognized as safe) boiler antifreeze or coolant. Earlier heaters, those with no electronic control board, use engine coolant.
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL -
Walt,
Thanks for the reply. I am fairly certain that they are separate systems on my coach. No webasto engine preheating and no engine heat through the water to air heat exchangers. The webasto still fires when the engine is at full temp. My engine coolant is green Fleetcharge. Webasto system antifreeze iS dark red. All valves are open. Thanks again. Remember, im driving a dinosaur!
Jeff
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL -
Thanks for the reply Rudy. I think I have some more to investigate.
I have been convinced since purchasing our bus 2 years ago that the Wabasto did not mix with the engine at all. But, with all of the reading I have done on this site I have also had a feeling that I may be missing something. I seem to be the only one whos systems are not tied together. I guess a more general question for starters would be are there some early Prevosts whos engine and webasto systems are not tied together?
P.S. I also have 2 fill spouts. One for the engine coolant expansion tank and another for the wabasto expansion tank. Is that what everyone has?
Thanks for the input guys. This has me a bit baffled.
Jeff
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I’ve never heard of a separate coolant tank when using Webasto, are you sure you don’t have an Aquahot? Even the Aquahot in the early years used just regular coolant. That all changed around 2006 when Auquahot went to Boiler Antifreeze as Rudy noted. Maybe your coach was special ordered.
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Definitely Webasto Tom.
The responses have convinced me that the systems should be tied together. After checking I realized I was mistaken about anitfreeze color. They are both red or pink.
I remembered last night that there are 2 copper pipes stubbed down next to the water heater with caps on them. A PO installed a residential electric water heater. I assumed that this was a coolant loop for domestic hot water heating. Could this be my problem? Could the engine loop be tied into this circuit? I can tie these together to complete the loop for testing I guess. Additional thoughts welcome and appreciated.
Jeff
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Jeff,
My understanding of the Webasto Heat Exchanger install is it is one continuous loop including all fan coils, water heater and engine. There can be valves to isolate the engine when it is not going to be started soon.
I think any stubbed off ends of the coolant loop hoses would stop all heating by the Webasto burner unless the ends come from isolation valves. Connecting the stubbed off ends would restore the Webasto’s ability to heat the coach and engine.
All the best in your research.
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We also have two separate surge tanks, one each for the engine and webasto coolants. Both systems are connected. We lack the ability to preheat the engine block via the webasto.
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Thanks Rudy. Good info.
Linda and John, Thanks for that. I was hoping a same vintage Marathon owner would chime in. Can you clarify as to if your Webasto quits firing and still provides heat through the heat exchangers when the engine is up to temp? Thanks.
Jeff
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Jeff,
That’s a good question, but I don’t have an answer at the moment. We have never used the Webasto heating system shortly after running the engine. I’ll try to find an answer in the manuals and get back to you.
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Jeff,
Also just an FYI, after much head scratching and searching on our part, Leon from Marathon verified that our coach (and others of the same vintage) did not have to ability to preheat the engine block via the Webasto, only by the 120v heater.
Jeff and Lindsay
91 Marathon XL -
If your engine is at operating temperature the Webasto will not fire, but the pumps will run to circulate coolant through the heat exchangers providing heat as selected by the thermostat. I don’t remember the cut in temp for the Webasto, maybe Rudy will jump in. As long as the coolant temp is above the cut in temp it won’t fire.
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Tom, on my old CC I think it was around 160 to 170 degrees that the Webasto would not fire.
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John,
You are correct. my Wabasto only supplies the heat exchangers in the salon, galley, & bedroom. it is completely isolated from the engine cooling system.
see drawing
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As I read he drawing, no fresh hot water heating is indicated. So, any engine antifreeze with 50% distilled water will do.
GRAS boiler antifreeze is called for when the possibility of getting mixed with fresh water is possible.
Control thermostats cut in around 155 to 160 and out at about 170 to 175.
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