Coolant drain tap??

Chet S · Member

Coolant drain tap??

Stanley · Guru

This is one of the penalties of the narrow A4 mounting arrangement. The block drain interferes with the stbd forward mounting foot so it gets replaced with a plug.

Chet S · Member

Thank you Stanley. I was afraid that was the case.

When the time comes to change the coolant, is there another way?
That plug looks to be hard to get at with the engine mount in place.

Can you tell me what size wrench I'd need to fit it, because I may have to cut down an Allen wrench to fit in there, and it would help to know what size.

And do you know if it was locktited in or had an anti-seize compound applied to make it easier to remove at that future date?

Stanley · Guru

The plug is hard to get to with the A4 feet fitted. I recommend using the lower hose to drain the coolant when the time comes. Although this may make it a bit harder to catch all the coolant, you will get the job done quickly.

The plug should be fitted dry. These plugs come from the suppliers for 6mm or for 8mm allen wrenches. The older engines used a small square on the plug or a 9/16" hex.

Stanley

Chet S · Member

Stanley,

Good, I was hoping I did not have to remove the foot to do it, and require a new alignment after that.

Thank you not only for the responses on this forum, but also for the long initial discussion with you when I was first considering a Beta engine. And, I am fortunate to be in Connecticut, close to the distributor Joe DeMers of SoundMarine Diesel. Joe has been fanatastic in suplying advice, recommendations, and many of the hard to find parts during my total engine repower project. (engine, fuel , exhaust, cooling water, controls, etc)

The engine is now in, and starts and runs like a dream. A Beta 16 may have been OK for our Catalina 30, but having gone with the Beta 20 and the prop change you and Joe recommended, we seem to have plenty of ready reserve power for those tight docking maneuvers or when bucking a strong current and winds. The single lever control was also a great upgrade from the original two lever system. It is easy to operate, intuitive, and goof-proof! The bottom line is that we now have confidence in the power plant and can put our energy back into enjoying the boat.

Thank you again,

Chet

ps- let me suggest to Betamarine that they add a paragraph to the manual on needing a coolant recovery bottle, so it can be included when planning the layout and installation.

Chet S · Member

Good morning Stanley,

Well the time has come to drain and change the coolant on my Beta 20 having Atomic 4 feet.
Looking over the engine yesterday for the "lower hose" that you suggested I use, the lowest hose I could find was the one on the aft end intended for a water heater connection. (I do not have one so this is capped off.)

Is that the hose you were referring to or is there a lower one somewhere else?

Best regards,
Chet

Farron · Senior Member

Hello Chet.

The "lower hose" that you are seeking is the hose that runs from the bottom of the heat exchanger to the freshwater circulation pump on the front of the engine.

On the Beta 20 this hose runs above the oil filter and below the alternator.

Chet S · Member

Farron,

Thank for the quick reply.

Is it the one shown in the attached picture?

Chet

Chet S · Member

Farron,

Thank for the quick reply.

Is it the one shown in the attached picture?

Chet

Farron · Senior Member

Hey Chet,

Yes, that's the one.