Onan 200 DFP - Coolant System

COOLANT SYSTEM
The coolant system must be refilled (radiator and heat
exchanger) before being operated. The cooling system
capacity of the standard unit with set mounted radiator
is shown in the SPECIFICATIONS section.
ACAUTION
The heater must not be operated
while the cooling system is empty or
when the engine is running or damage to the heater will
occur.
Coolant Level
Check the coolant level during shutdown periods at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance Table. Remove
the radiator cap after allowing the engine to cool and if
necessary, add coolant until the level is near the top of
the radiator. Use a coolant solution that meets the
engine manufacturer’s coolant requirements.
Contact with hot coolant can result in
serious burns. Allow cooling system
to cool before releasing pressure and removing radia¬
tor cap.
AWARNING
TTvaTadkiim/'' Contact with hot coolant can result in
AWAKNIINU: serjous burns Do not b i eecS hot>
pressurized coolant from a closed cooling system.
Filling the Cooling System
(Standard Radiator and Heat Exchanger Sets)
Remove the cooling system pressure cap and fill the
system with water or a water/antifreeze mixture. On the
initial fill, the precharge water filter will automatically
add the required anti-corrosion chemicals to the cool¬
ing system.
When the engine is first started, remove the pressure
cap and monitor the coolant level. As trapped air is
expelled from the system, the coolant level will drop and
additional coolant should be added. Replace the pres¬
sure cap when the coolant level is stable.
ACAUTION
Be sure the electric solenoid valve
used with city water cooled sets is
open before initial starting of unit to allow coolant
chambers to fill. Otherwise overheating and damage to
the engine might result.
ACAUTION
High Engine Temperature Cutoff will
shut down engine in an overheat
condition only if coolant is sufficiently high to physi¬
cally contact shutdown switch. Loss of coolant will
allow engine to overheat without protection of shut¬
down device and cause severe damage to the engine. It
is therefore imperative that adequate engine levels be
maintained to ensure operational integrity of cooling
system and engine coolant overheat shutdown pro¬
tection.
Coolant Requirements
The water used for engine coolant should be clean, low
in mineral content, and free of any corrosive chemicals
such as chloride, sulphate, or acid. Generally, any water
that is suitable for drinking can be treated for use as
engine coolant.
A satisfactory engine coolant inhibits corrosion and if
necessary, protects against freezing. To prevent corro¬
sion, the water used for coolant must be precharged
with a chemical additive. New engines are shipped with
a precharge water filter that automatically adds an anti¬
corrosion chemical to the coolant.
Remote Radiator Coolant Precharge
The large quantities of coolant used in a remote radiator
installation will require precharging with a separate
anti-corrosion additive. The precharge water filter will
not provide adequate anti-corrosion protection for the
large capacities of most remote systems.
Diesel Coolant Additive (DCA) is an
engine corrosion inhibitor. The DCA
manufacturer rates it as moderately hazardous. That
is, it may involve both irreversible and reversible
changes; not severe enough to cause death or per¬
manent injury.
Exposure can cause irritation to eyes, nasal passages
and exposed skin. Protective rubber or plastic gloves,
goggles and dust (3M Company #8710 or equal) respi¬
rators must be used when handling DCA powder.
If exposed to DCA or coolant using DCA, flush eyes
and skin with clean water. Remove contaminated clo¬
thing and launder before use.
Clean area of dry spills and place DCA in an approved
chemical contamination container.
AWARNING
The precharge water filter is compatible with plain water
and all permanent type antifreezes EXCEPT those with a
methoxy propanol base.
Cooling systems that are subject to freezing conditions
must also be protected with a permanent type anti¬
freeze. Mix the water and antifreeze in the proportion
recommended by the supplier for the lowest expected
ambient temperature. Do not use an antifreeze that con¬
tains anti-leak additives. The water filter element will
trap the additives and possibly become clogged.
Engine coolant containing DCA must be disposed of
per local, state, and federal regulations in approved
chemical contamination containers.
A separate precharge DCA (diesel coolant) in powder,
liquid or brickett is available from the engine manufac¬
turer. The following recommendations are provided for
mixing the coolant with the engine manufacturer’s pre¬
charge additive.
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