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18-07-2016, 12:56
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Long Beach, Ca. USA
Boat: Norseman 447
Posts: 403
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Help with coolant leak
Hi all, We have a 12 yr old Westerbeke 7.6 BTD genset that we bought new and now with 3,400 hrs. We suddenly are loosing coolant probably thru the heat exchanger as there is no signs of a leak. I've just had to top off the resivoir and start it and it would stay full til shut down and cool. It would be quite a job to pull the exchanger and have it checked to find out it's something else. I tried putting food coloring in and seeing if it came out the exhaust, but saw no signs. Anyone have any thoughts or other possibilities? The best price I've found for a new one was $767.00!!! Ouch! Or any ideas about a simpler way to check the heat exchanger without disconnecting?
Thanks for any help,
Greg
__________________
GREG, s/v Sirena
currently, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico cool:
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18-07-2016, 13:33
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Help with coolant leak
You can try by pressurizing the system, car part places will have what looks like a soccer ball pump connected to a radiator cap, then when pressurized, see if it loses pressure. If it does then maybe you can hear the leak with a mechanics stethoscope?
But I'd pull the heat exchanger anyway for a cleaning, it may just be an O Ring that seals the salt water from the coolant.
Coolant under pressure is at a higher pressure than the seawater so it would most likely leak into the seawater.
Sent from my iPad Pro using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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18-07-2016, 16:02
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Long Beach, Ca. USA
Boat: Norseman 447
Posts: 403
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Re: Help with coolant leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
You can try by pressurizing the system, car part places will have what looks like a soccer ball pump connected to a radiator cap, then when pressurized, see if it loses pressure. If it does then maybe you can hear the leak with a mechanics stethoscope?
But I'd pull the heat exchanger anyway for a cleaning, it may just be an O Ring that seals the salt water from the coolant.
Coolant under pressure is at a higher pressure than the seawater so it would most likely leak into the seawater.
Sent from my iPad Pro using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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A64, thanks for the reply. I've pulled a few heat exchangers before but this one looks like a pain! I didn't know they had o rings. Ill look into pressure testing it. Thanks again!
Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
__________________
GREG, s/v Sirena
currently, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico cool:
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18-07-2016, 16:21
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC (Maple Bay Marina)
Posts: 9,705
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Re: Help with coolant leak
Greg, there are good sources for HXs beyond, most likely, your $767 quote.
Try this:
Heat Exchangers 101: Sources for replacement Good Guys at Sendure
Good Guys at SENDURE & Heat Exchanger Source & Flix
Good luck
__________________
Stu Jackson
Catalina 34 #224 (1986) C34IA Secretary
Cowichan Bay, BC, SR/FK, M25, Rocna 10 (22#) (NZ model)
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18-07-2016, 16:40
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Long Beach, Ca. USA
Boat: Norseman 447
Posts: 403
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Re: Help with coolant leak
Thanks St u, I will check it out!
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18-07-2016, 16:43
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#6
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: home port Washington DC
Boat: SS Crocker design #131
Posts: 992
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Re: Help with coolant leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu Jackson
Greg, there are good sources for HXs beyond, most likely, your $767 quote.
Try this:
Heat Exchangers 101: Sources for replacement Good Guys =http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6920.0.html]Good Guys at SENDURE & Heat Exchanger Source & Flix[/url]
Good luck
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Thanks! That's a good resource for all.
I would send you a thanks privately but on my phone can't figure out how 🙄
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__________________
"The only noble thing a man can do with money is to build a schooner." Robert Louis Stevenson
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19-07-2016, 09:46
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: So Cal
Boat: Beneteau 38 Nordlund 72, Marquess 55, Jenneau 49
Posts: 541
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Re: Help with coolant leak
I believe I got my HE for a westerbeke 42 at some place called heatexchangers .com It was half the price of westerbeke. I put my mouth over one end and hand over the other on both parts to test. It was obvious it was no good when it wouldn't hold my ling pressure
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19-07-2016, 13:16
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Help with coolant leak
I've only had experience with a few, but usually there is an end cap, and under this end cap a seal that keeps the salt and the fresh water separate, usually you take an end cap off, then slide out a tube full of smaller tubes that the fresh water flows through, salt water on the outside of the little tubes. Usually a cap on both ends with seals.
Sent from my iPad Pro using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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19-07-2016, 13:48
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Long Beach, Ca. USA
Boat: Norseman 447
Posts: 403
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Re: Help with coolant leak
Thanks A64, I have had the one end cap off to check for remnants of old zincs. That is a lot easier to check than removing the whole thing!
Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
__________________
GREG, s/v Sirena
currently, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico cool:
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19-07-2016, 18:16
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On a boat
Boat: 1987 Cabo Rico 38 #117 (sold) & 2008 Manta 42 #124
Posts: 4,172
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Re: Help with coolant leak
Lenco makes a lot of heat exchangers for westerbekes.
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20-07-2016, 07:33
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Marathon, FL
Boat: Pearson 530 Cutter/ketch 53
Posts: 36
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Re: Help with coolant leak
Hi
You might try Barr's Stopleak as a last resort prior to replacing the HE. Put it in the coolant resivoir and run the engine for about an hour. My brother a BMW in the San Fran area has had good luck with this fix for people that don't want to pay him to R&R the HE. Of course this is a temporary repair but may last a few seasons.
All the best,
Mike and Patty
S/V EMME
The most dangerous thing on a boat is a schedule.
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20-07-2016, 07:33
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NC
Boat: Bristol 47.7 1985
Posts: 66
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Re: Help with coolant leak
take the heat exchanger to a radiator shop near coast, have them pressure test, then block off any coils with leaks, then pressure test again. Cost is $100 or so. New unit $750 to $900.
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