How to change engine coolant on a NORDHAVN 43 trawler...and it's REALLY EASY!

[@Vagabondo-fs6qu]

Being and ex-Marine Engineer [ on vessels a lot bigger than Freedom ;-) ] the number of times we came across situations similar to your filler cap not being optimized for maintenance I lost count of. The times I had wished for the designers and Naval Architects be aboard during maintenance to see the maintenance monsters they had created lol.

[@Colinpark]

yea I was looking at that and thinking, ugh.

[@danh3534]

Very few diesel boat owners understand the importance of antifreeze replacement, also the correct type, thank you!!

[@blewyd]

I'm just curious. When boat that are "sea water cooled" do they also have a coolant or is the sea water the coolant?

[@sandspider7375]

Always nice to watch other people work from the comfort of my computer chair, somebody had to do quality control... That's a pass from me, good job Shawn, Elizabeth good job everybody. I'm going to pour myself a scotch now to wind down.

[@STEVEB-oh3gn]

My wife and I always look forward to sharing your adventures. Please continue with your lifestyle and filming. We wish you only kind thoughts for your future on, and off, the water.

[@mvfreedom]

STEVEN BASSOM thanks so much! We plan to keep this up with much more good stuff as we prep for longer range cruising within a couple of years 👍

[@paullangjr7899]

Hello, again. I noticed two items that could have been done while the coolant was evacuated. Even though, there was no trans oil in the coolant, it wouldn't take much longer to check the engine elbow and gaskets. Since the coolant went into the floor and bilge when you were going to vacuum the coolant from the lower cooler, adding a ball valve tee will keep the mess to zero. drain the coolant into a bucket and then pull the hose. I have watched and listened to James Knight, a very knowledgeable Nordhavn person. Check him out. Happy boating! I love the effort you two put into cooking.

[@dennisjohnson1454]

Thanks, Freedom, for sharing your life aboard. I've thoroughly enjoyed cruising vicariously and love your positive attitude through the reality of living aboard (3 years on a 38' trawler in Portland OR ) and slow boat cruising. My wife and I owned a Nordhavn 40 and cruised PS and the Gulf Islands in 2007 with our Scottish Terrier Mac. We moored at Pleasant Harbor Marina. A few of our favorites were of course Blake Island, but also Blakely Island Marina; Sidney Island/Spit is a great stopover to or from Victoria with wonderful trails; Ladysmith Marina; Telegraph Harbor on Thetis Is. and a walk to the ferry for a day trip to Chemainus (which has a small though tight marina); and Newcastle Island across from Nanaimo - great trail to Mallard Lake. I really enjoy the Awesome Captain's maintenance and repair videos - when in doubt I'd be in the engine room. BTW, our N40 was featured in the videos by Cassidy's Sailing Trawler on a trip from San Fran to AK and back in 2018. They have since upgraded to a Nordhavn 56 Motorsailer. Best wishes for calm seas and thanks for letting us ride along.

[@mvfreedom]

Dennis Johnson thanks for the note and how cool that you enjoyed so much cruising on the N40! We met the crew of Cassidy, cool folks! Hopefully you’re getting out on the water these days!

[@leonardkevin12]

I’m doing my 52 next week, so I rewatched. I’m going to give the shop vac & compressed air a shot, hopefully to minimize the mess.

[@7WetDawg3]

Looks like so much fun wedging your body into those tight spaces to drain the coolant.

[@seanevans6901]

I really enjoy the maintenance videos, thanks.

[@elmerexpress]

It seems that almost no matter how large the boat, the engine room is still crowded... Having said that, there is always something to learn from you guys. Appreciate it!

[@tmac709]

I like your videos when you're fooling around in the engine room.

[@chrisstephens2734]

Were they fooling around? (I missed that part!)

[@tmac709]

@@chrisstephens2734 You got me!

[@kenanderson2189]

Great video. 8 hours for me on all three but worth the effort! 24ft is the answer to the question you posed a couple of videos ago, 55 hardtop to the water

[@stephenscott963]

Another fantastic “how to video!” Thank u so much, these are not only my favorite, but several others that watch your channel! I was curious if you could possibly explain a how to on all those blue levers and what they all do and how, possibly another also at some point on upkeep of AC systems, and or heat how to change any fluids maintain etc?? Thanks so much, keep them coming!

[@fxpthl]

Make sure that there is not coolant puddled anywhere your dog could get to it! Very lethal stuff, ethylene glycol!

[@gregfawcett5152]

Good reminder for me to change my coolant...Best...SV Aquila

[@BoatingJourney]

Thanks for sharing and educating us about your cooling system. Like you said, most of us use sea water and strainers to cool our engines. Fascinating about your system! Your engine room is sparkling clean - jealous!

[@robertfrost1683]

Have a great weekend you three !!

[@stevekomorous3864]

I really enjoy your videos. Great job all the way around. I admire and appreciate how neat and clean the two of you are. You keep an impeccable boat. Not bad Shaun for starting a project like that at 5pm. You're a bigger man than me.....starting at 5pm. I'm a morning guy and the only way I would tackle a PM project like that would be in the AM. Cheers!!!

[@richardsmith4187]

Another great vlog as usual !! very interesting. Shawn and Elizabeth have a great memorial day and enjoy the day !

[@mvfreedom]

Same to you!!!

[@kymbiddell7467]

That’s one very clean, tidy and organised engine bay, the tool kit looked the same, may have to get out and do the shed tomorrow 🤔 well what one should do and what one does may not line up 😀 thanks for sharing very interesting

[@brucewatts4439]

Shawn...you are a legend!!!..love your work.

[@Deerwood1985]

Excellent Video and very Interesting. I love it . Please do more videos like this.

[@overtheclouds9]

Fun video. I wish there was a way to drain the hose to the keel cooler before you loosen it. Or set up a pump system like the engine oil pumps. Just love the Nordhavn trawlers. They have really good engine room setups.

[@jgriff3218]

I was thinking the same. Possibly a "T" fitting with a valve. Hookup the vacuum and open the valve. No need to remove any hoses.

[@overtheclouds9]

J Griff Bold! Hey Shawn, a 3 way with gate valve would work for that. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about a valve getting opened accidentally like ball valves have a tendency to do.

[@patrickleahy770]

I was wondering the same thing, that hose seemed like it wanted to stay where it was. Is that the prescribed way, or just how it’s done.

[@m2pozad]

You guys crack me up-- '9.9 on the happy meter'. Think I'd be inclined to buy 3.5 gal, of ethylene glycol and add 3.5 gal. of water myself.

[@MVSKOOKUM1]

We have a Nordhavn 40, on our second year of owning it. so much to learn! Came across your clip here. this is great thank you guys so much! We have a coolant leak we found underneath these engine room hatches we have on the floor. We can't figure out where the leak is from. Found your video while searching for some ideas!

[@TradeWindgng]

Job well done 👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Brilliant video Keep it up you both are great couple Love the DIY projects

[@Kelly-jc3jc]

I'm assuming that is your exhaust heading up just above your expansion tank. Looks like it makes it hard to put in the new coolant. My first job was as a boat mechanic, I always like watching the mechanical videos. Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@steveharvey1876]

Cheers! Stay Well!

[@Antiqueanalytics]

Another great video... Cheers...

[@captainrick9379]

Awesome ! Thanks for sharing!

[@tybarbier]

nice teamwork!!

[@jgdwick4067]

Love you guys! Be. Safe and well !

[@neelyrichard72]

Great job Shawn 👍

[@barryyoung5022]

Great video. I enjoy the DIY video’s. Keep the awesome videos coming as I always look forward to new videos from you

[@josecarlosalvareztobar9579]

Hi, Elizabeth and Shawn, You move the boat a lot and have to anchor many times. I'd like to know what precautions to take when anchoring on rocky bottoms. Has your anchor ever been trapped? What do you recommend to pull out the anchor if it gets stuck in the rocks more than 20 meters deep?

[@josecarlosalvareztobar9579]

I've enjoyed your maintenance operations again. I'm glad to know it's not that hard to do. You just have to have all the right tools and I imagine clear knowledge of mechanics. If I understand correctly, your ship has an external radiator. How often do you clean the boat's underbody? I hope the expression is right for you to understand me! Thank you. Jose Carlos

[@mvfreedom]

Yes our keel cooler is basically an external radiator. And Shawn dives the boat 4x/year every few months or so!

[@Colinpark]

Definitely check it a couple of times in the next day of running, takes time for some air pockets in the casting to work their way out.

[@frankcherry3810]

Can you test the fluid with PH tape for acidity?

[@michaelrhodes6033]

Thank you for sharing, have you done many maintenance blogs.

[@James-seafan]

interesting video thank you for sharing

[@utubetimothy]

Well done.

[@ovan264]

Nice and efficient lay-out of the engine room. Nordhavn recipe?

[@samuelbackley8757]

While stationed at ACU-1 in Coronado Ca. The LCU’s we had were keel cooled which was great once you were moving across the Water 😳

[@jwrappuhn71]

Great how to vid guys, how often does it need to be changed?

[@mvfreedom]

jwrappuhn71 every 2 years or 600 hours whichever comes first

[@SuperMurf44]

Shawn you would make a great instructor. So chill but couldn’t help but be reminded of Ferris Buellers day off when listening to your soothing monotone....”anyone..anyone...anyone”....p.s. Elizabeth you have some great gams...

[@LSDaigle]

Thanks for posting another informative video. We really enjoy them. I'm wondering when was the last time Freedom was hauled out of the water, or do you have a particular schedule for that...cutlass bearing inspection, bottom work, etc. I would have thought the coolant change would be done more easily at that time. Have a great Memorial Day!

[@mvfreedom]

LSDaigle we hauled out last year for bottom paint and this is done every 2 years or 600 hours, whichever comes first.

[@billynewport251]

Great

[@mnbsay9548]

Nice..... I’m just cracking up over the choice of music. It’s cleaver and smart just like you guy’s. Enjoy and be well. ; )

[@steveironside7255]

Nice hat we’re did you get it ? I to live in the PNW but in Canada.

[@harlansnyder8070]

You guys have a beautiful boat. Love watching your channel . I was wondering why you would buy a Nordhavn, with a top speed of 9 or 10 knots, when you can have a boat with a semi - displacement hull, and two engines, compared to one. Like a Absolute Navetta, you can cruise at 7 to 10 knots, with two engines, and at that speed, go for more than 1200 miles. Or if the weather turns bad, you can get to port at 25 knots. Was just wondering why you choose one engine vs. two.

[@mvfreedom]

Harlan Snyder being able to cross oceans and go farther safely was the #1 reason!

[@m2pozad]

@@mvfreedom Interestingly, the new 41' will have small twins and no wing engine.

[@emeraldmorningmist]

I am kind of surprised there is not a reverse coolant change system like the oil change system in place on other Nordhavn ships I have seen.

[@stephencoster9532]

Hiya & thank you. I'm guessing the glycol is mixed with water? If so does it come pre-mixed or is it neat anti-freeze? Take care & stay safe...

[@mvfreedom]

Yes pre mixed!

[@peterhallman9408]

Thanks again, these maintenence vids are gold. I'm curious about access. I've got a bad knee. No squatting, and kneeling is possible but tricky. On an N47, I can get around ok in the engine room. But it's a bit of a stretch on the wallet. I've not yet been on a 43, but it looks like you can do most stuff sitting. Is that correct?

[@mvfreedom]

Yes for Shawn being 6’3” he gets around pretty good and doesn’t do much squatting and has a place to sit nearby everywhere. But don’t get us wrong, it feels tighter when you’re dealing with an injury 😉

[@operator0]

Is there any worry about air bubbles hindering the flow of coolant like there is when you do this on a car? Also, that coolant looks like it's still in real good shape. What's the maintenance interval supposed to be for this?

[@patrickpepper4587]

That was very interesting. Where did you learn your boating skills and how long have you lived in the Pacific Northwest? I thought I heard you say in an earlier video that you have family in Wisconsin. I’m originally from Minnesota and lived in Wisconsin for a number of years and still have family there. Eau Claire and Madison ...

[@mvfreedom]

Shawn’s skills have been acquired over 16 years of boating with various vessels, and he’s just one of those geeky techy guys who enjoys learning and doing all of this stuff! And we moved out here 6+ years ago from Milwaukee. We visited in 2013 and fell in love, so after the worst winter on record in WI we pulled the trigger 👍

[@brutus7319]

I'm familiar with car engines, but not with boat engines. It would make sense if there's a thermostat between the engine and the kiel cooler. If so, the thermostat needs to be opened before the whole system is filled with coolant. If you ran the engine that short, the thermostat doesn't open and there will still be a lot of air in the system. If I were you, I would bring the engine to operating temperature, let it cool down and check the level again. Again, no boating experience so I might talk BS :p

[@mvfreedom]

Bert Visser we did run to normal temp and then rechecked when it cooled 👍

[@Fr99763]

Well done and very informative, had never heard about a keel cooler before, but why? Does your boat have many engine hours already? Seems pretty new😊

[@mvfreedom]

Fr anz we have 4,906 hours to be exact...barely broken it 😉 it’s a 2004 and we’ve owned it for just over 2 years and have plans to put A LOT more hours on her!

[@michae8jackson378]

Very helpful! How often do you change the coolant out?

[@mvfreedom]

Michael Jackson every 600 hours or 2 years, whichever comes first.

[@michae8jackson378]

MV Freedom thank you! I figured it had to be hours. It’s what we do in aircraft!

[@mrorcabay]

Hey Shawn, aren’t you supposed to mix water with antifreeze 50-50? Just had my Cummins mechanic do mine and he mentioned antifreeze itself doesn’t absorb much heat, thus the water mix. Enjoy watching your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@mvfreedom]

Tony Sverdrup yes the bottles we had were the 50/50 mix 👍

[@thadeusmoor814]

How do you like the 43. We are on the fence on the size. 40 is definitely to small and has small fuel tanks. Have not looked at a 43 yet we love the 47.

[@mvfreedom]

Thadeus Moor we LOVE the 43!!! We also felt like the 40 was too small and the 47 was too expensive, and the 43 is perfectly sized for us with two staterooms/heads and is quite similar to the 47. Plus, being 43’ means we pay less in moorage and don’t have issues getting into any marinas where we’re at (45’ and under has it much easier)!

[@jpmerrick8886]

43 is lovely little shop I like 47 to 55 to 63 the larger nordhavens over 80 too fluffy to me I do like the 76 and below as me crewsers

[@MrRich2u]

Is this a once a year thing?

[@mvfreedom]

Richard Parker every 600 hours or two years, whichever comes first.

[@Greggspies]

Assume the cooler pipes don't pertrude when your slinging for haulout?

[@danjette4768]

How often do you need to change the coolant?

[@mvfreedom]

Every 600 hours or 2 years, whichever comes sooner!

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Omg. I'm having a nervous breakdown. Take you shop vac or dingy air pump and have Elizabeth blow some pressurized air into the filler. Coolant pumps out pronto. Takes about 1/4 of the time. Same with the keel cooler. Air in. hose attachment whammo done.

[@AquaMarine1000]

Use compressed air at about 10psi to purge the coolant, saves a lot of mess.

[@thomascarey8721]

How or wheredo you recycle the coolant?

[@mvfreedom]

We can take it to our marina but this time we took it to a boat place where we buy oil to have it recycled for a small fee. We had to buy oil and drop off old diesel so this option was good, maybe next time we’ll try disposing at the marina.

[@mdaddley]

Put a clear hose with a mini clamp on the drain plug long enough to reach the bucket and then you won't have to hold the funnel.

[@doolittlegeorge]

Is that the Mrs' morning face and bed head?

[@mvfreedom]

Andrew Doolittle long day face and excited for bed head 😉

[@jpmerrick8886]

He's doin his 5hing on his second love

[@supertorqued72]

I can't be the only person that legitimately had to pause the video for a pee break? lol -Ted

[@tedspeed3338]

Sure was nice of them to put that silver thing over the coolant fill...

[@dahveed284]

Boat projects are more fun watching you do them, as opposed to me doing them...

[@jimh.5286]

An engine room that looks nicer and cleaner than my pilot house...just isn't right.

[@BoatingJourney]

LOL! That's what we just said!

[@lorandlayton1756]

I would be willing to bet that there is a better way to get that last bit of coolant out of there .

[@sidneylaimbeer5500]

Use Evans coolant and you will not need your coolant fluid anymore.

[@sidneylaimbeer5500]

change your fluid

[@classicraceruk1337]

Elizabeth peeing his pants really!!!!! 😀

[@trishjohnston623]

You guys used to be entertaining. What happened?

[@robertevans8503]

guess u been under a rock, there's been a thing called covid19.....kinda threw a monkey wrench in everybody's plans and fun..but i still think these guys are great entertainment.