Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-11-2015, 07:07 PM   #1
Veteran Member
 
Ronald's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville, NC
Vessel Name: Tra Sea Time
Vessel Model: 1989 Marine Trader 38 DC
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 40
Coolant leak.

I have a pair of 135 Lehmans , under the port engine pan I noticed a small amount of coolant, less than a pint. I checked the reservoir and it was down a bit so I added enough to reach the dome in the reservoir. Cleaned up the coolant and the next time I ran the boat same thing. Engine is running cool, normal temp and if I don't add the coolant back to reservoir she does not leak. I thought it was coming from the overflow but I am not sure. Any thoughts?? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks
Ronald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-11-2015, 11:04 PM   #2
Guru
 
Capt.Bill11's Avatar
 
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
Quit filling it. You are more than likely slightly over filling it and that bit of fluid you keep seeing that has burped out is from the tank finding its happy place. There is a reason its called an expansion tank after all. :-)

In many cases the true full level is an inch or so below the lip of the cap.
Capt.Bill11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-11-2015, 11:23 PM   #3
Guru
 
Gabe n Em's Avatar
 
City: Tavernier, FL
Vessel Name: Volans
Vessel Model: 2001 PDQ MV 32
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 580
Do you have a tube to direct the overflow or does it just spill all over the top of the engine? If you've got a tube, put it in a bucket/jar/ whatever. If it fills that up and doesn't end up in the pan, you're either overfilling like capt bill says or overheating and boiling over with crap gauges.

If it's in the pan, you've got a leak

or it could be something completely different...
Gabe n Em is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-11-2015, 11:36 PM   #4
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,759
Check and tighten all hose clamps. They tend to loosen from vibration.
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 07:17 AM   #5
Guru
 
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,179
Most coolant pumps have a weep hole that show drips when failure is imminent. Finding the source of coolant leakage is obviously important, and not always easy. Paper towels can help locate.
sunchaser is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 07:38 AM   #6
Guru
 
Capt.Bill11's Avatar
 
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
"if I don't add the coolant back to reservoir she does not leak."

Almost has to be overfilling. Pretty much anything else that would cause a leak would leak no matter what the coolant level was. At least until the engine ran almost out of coolant.

Just for the heck of it, while you're poking around looking for the problem, I recommend you take the air bleed line between the manifold and the expansion tank apart and make sure the orifices and the tube itself are clean and not plugged up.
Capt.Bill11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2015, 10:52 AM   #7
Veteran Member
 
Ronald's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville, NC
Vessel Name: Tra Sea Time
Vessel Model: 1989 Marine Trader 38 DC
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 40
Thanks for the suggestions , we on a short cruise this weekend and I am monitoring the coolant carefully. I have a bottle attached to the overflow tube to see if that is where it coming. Also will use paper towels to check. Like Capt. Bill said it may just need its sweet spot for level.
When we run in this afternoon I will watch for signs of the leak. Again thanks , will keep you posted.
Ronald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2015, 08:11 PM   #8
Veteran Member
 
Ronald's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville, NC
Vessel Name: Tra Sea Time
Vessel Model: 1989 Marine Trader 38 DC
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 40
I wanted to follow up on the post from a few weeks ago. I finally found the coolant leak. It turned out to be a loose hose clamp on a short coolant hose. What confused the issue was that the leak was intermittent. It took three runs with the boat at different RPM's get it to leak so I could see it. Thanks to a good light, toilet paper, and patience I discovered the loose hose clamp. Many thanks to those who responded , this forum has really been useful since buying the trawler and I appreciate the effort that members make to help fellow trawler owners.
Ronald is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012