Leaking heat exchanger/freshwater cooling end gasket 1994 Mercruiser 4.3 LX V6

[DawgFishin']

The round rubber end gasket on my heat exchanger/freshwater cooling unit appears to be deteriorating and a few drops of liquid have begun to leak out. If remove the end cap to replace that gasket, what concerns should I be aware of? Will liquid leak out when I remove the end cap? and if so, do I need to replace that liquid before firing up the engine? Are there any pressure concerns? I'm not really that familiar with this system, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[alldodge]

Raw water will leak out but not enough to worry about. Remove end caps and look thru the tubes to see if all are clean, if not use a thin wire brush to clean them out. New gaskets, and fire it your good

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

The round rubber end gasket on my heat exchanger/freshwater cooling unit appears to be deteriorating and a few drops of liquid have begun to leak out. If remove the end cap to replace that gasket, what concerns should I be aware of? Will liquid leak out when I remove the end cap? and if so, do I need to replace that liquid before firing up the engine? Are there any pressure concerns? I'm not really that familiar with this system, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I was the tire air rubber tubes of that gasket .. did the cracking of that rubber ..