Antifreeze in exhaust!!

[joeyleggz]

Splash day took the boat for a shakedown cruise ran beautifully… back at The dock let her sit for a little while filddled around with the dock lines started the starboard motor back up look over the side for pumping water and noticed a cloud of green antifreeze shut her down went into the engine room and noticed the overflow bottle was a little low started back up again water ran clear no anti-freeze definitely scratching my head right now thinking back pre-launch when I was in the engine room I noticed the port strainer still had the red antifreeze from the winterizing yet the starboard looked clear/green ? I know I winterized both of them with the pink stuff same routine for the last three years when winterizing with no issues so I know did not miss a step in the fall going to go down and run her again and see what's up .before I start ripping things apart I need you guys!! 7.4 EFI have half cooled system only the block and heat exchanger run antifreeze


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tony357]

remove and pressure test heat exchanger.. theirs no freshwater cooling in manifolds ? if so riser block off plates could be leaking.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Yes, go to an autoparts store that has a free loan a tool program.
Get the radiator pressure tester (fits right on your heat exchanger) and see if your able to pump up and hold 15 PSI.

If not listen for where the air is escaping....Blocker plates or bad heat exchanger are two questionable spots.

 

[joeyleggz]

Ok will get a tester and report back thanks guys . Still confused why it would stop leaking....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Ok will get a tester and report back thanks guys . Still confused why it would stop leaking....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm most interested in the heat exchanger.
Could possibly leak under pressure only while warmed up...
You said your a half system so, it's prob not the exhaust (no antifreeze inside).

The heat exchanger is a normal wear item and is an easy R/R if it's leaking internally.

 

[northern]

If you take the rad top off the heat exchanger and run the engine to temperature and you see bubble in the anti freeze you have a leak in the heat exchanger.
If not you probably have a leak at the rises. That is what happened to me. If you tale the brass plug out of your riser top and put a rod down to the point it bottoms out it should be clean. If there is anti freeze on it the gasket between rise and manifold needs replacing. I use a wood BBQ squire. I also have used my oil removal hand pump to see if I can suck out any anti freeze. There is a 1/4" dish area on the manifold that will collect the anti freeze.

 

[joeyleggz]

Well got down to the boat rented a pressure tester put it on 15 pounds leaked down to 10 pounds after about three or four minutes check the other Motor pretty much held the pressure the whole time so I'm guessing I have a leak in the heat exchanger when I started up the motor after the test saw some anti-freeze in the exhaust and then it Ran clear after about two minutes not thinking it can be anything else because with the half system there is no other loop then the block and the exchange correct? I guess I'm going to have to take it off and bring it to a radiator shop and have it checked how do I not lose all the anti-freeze when I open up all the lines?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Is it original 1997?
If so, it's time for replacement anyway...a repair could soon leak again..
My recommendation is to replace with an aftermarket cooler(s).
Ive had great experiences with the SeaKamp brand from Go2marine.com

You should (sorry) plan on replacing all the coolers (2 trans, 2 oil, 2 engine) in the ER because, they tend to follow the same path and can all lead to a more $$ repair.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

I would have a rad shop test it or swap to the other side and see if the problem follows then, replace with brand new if it's bad.
Looks to be on sale for around $650

As far as the coolant...you could drain the block and save it or...
I'd accept the mess in the bilge and replenish with new.
You can pressure test before coolant is added.
A shop vac will be your friend during clean up.

Good luck,

 

[Bt Doctur]

If you winterized with pink and got green out ,the HX is leaking internally.you saw it in the exaust strean because that where the HX water exits

 

[joeyleggz]

Is it original 1997?
If so, it's time for replacement anyway...a repair could soon leak again..
My recommendation is to replace with an aftermarket cooler(s).
Ive had great experiences with the SeaKamp brand from Go2marine.com

You should (sorry) plan on replacing all the coolers (2 trans, 2 oil, 2 engine) in the ER because, they tend to follow the same path and can all lead to a more $$ repair.

Spoke to the radiator place going to drop them off in the morning see what they say not going to fool around if it doesn't look good I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet I think they are original I don't have maintenance records that show anything like that was replaced

 

[joeyleggz]

OK heard back from the radiator shop one tube inside was leaking held pressure on it for hours to see if any other tubes would leak fixed the one tube and two new gaskets $150 ready to be picked up!! What type of antifreeze do I put in this now?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[av8ingtom]

I always use the Mercruiser pre mixed antifreeze. Already mixed and ready to use. It is a long life antifreeze. Not sure what type of antifreeze your were using before.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

OK heard back from the radiator shop one tube inside was leaking held pressure on it for hours to see if any other tubes would leak fixed the one tube and two new gaskets $150 ready to be picked up!! What type of antifreeze do I put in this now?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your going to want to keep a close eye on that because if one tube leaked, all the others are suspect..

Not sure what color your using, green or red..
Right or wrong, I use 50/50 green Prestone in mine.

 

[joeyleggz]

Thank you guys for all the help it actually turned out to be four tubes leaking they seal them off completely and keep 20 pounds of pressure on it for a few hours to see if anyone opened up ,held good he said that I don't use more than 12 pounds of pressure at most so feel confident it will hold will keep an eye on it use the green Stuff 50-50 mix ,up and running! Thinking now this will be the start of looking into changing all coolers over a short time this season as money permits


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk