juicebronco
Seaman
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2011
- Messages
- 64
Boat 1985 Century with Mercruiser 170 freshwater cooling system.
I've searched but didn't come across this particular problem.
Took the boat out for the first trip of the year, and noticed water water was leaking out the back between the cap and the tube of the Heat exchanger It seemed to be lake water, as it was clear. The engine ran fine, and it never got too hot. I had ran it around a bit prior to noticing, so it had plenty of time to get warm. My initial thought with the seal must have gone bad, and I would just need to replace it. So I pulled the back cap off, gave it a quick inspection, and noticed the seam was slightly seperated between what is the tube shell and the inner section. The boat didn't seem to loose any coolant, and even with caps off both ends, the coolant isn't leaking out of the tube. I added some photos, so you can take a look and give me your opinion.
I don't know why it split there, obviously my first thought is freeze, as we experienced a February with an average temp or around like 1 degree. But I've never pulled the cap off before so I don't know how long it could have been like that. My dad can't remember if he ever has, and we've had the boat since like 88. So it could be a new split, it could be an old split, not sure. But the fact it just started leaking water there makes me think new.
I'm not an expert on these systems, but I would think if that seam was bad and leaking it would be the freshwater coolant coming out when operating.
So please take a look at the photos can give me your thoughts.
I've searched but didn't come across this particular problem.
Took the boat out for the first trip of the year, and noticed water water was leaking out the back between the cap and the tube of the Heat exchanger It seemed to be lake water, as it was clear. The engine ran fine, and it never got too hot. I had ran it around a bit prior to noticing, so it had plenty of time to get warm. My initial thought with the seal must have gone bad, and I would just need to replace it. So I pulled the back cap off, gave it a quick inspection, and noticed the seam was slightly seperated between what is the tube shell and the inner section. The boat didn't seem to loose any coolant, and even with caps off both ends, the coolant isn't leaking out of the tube. I added some photos, so you can take a look and give me your opinion.
I don't know why it split there, obviously my first thought is freeze, as we experienced a February with an average temp or around like 1 degree. But I've never pulled the cap off before so I don't know how long it could have been like that. My dad can't remember if he ever has, and we've had the boat since like 88. So it could be a new split, it could be an old split, not sure. But the fact it just started leaking water there makes me think new.
I'm not an expert on these systems, but I would think if that seam was bad and leaking it would be the freshwater coolant coming out when operating.
So please take a look at the photos can give me your thoughts.