This has been a ongoing problem for appproximately 2 years. The anti freeze in the oveflow tank slowly goes down. I have checked the hose to the tank and the anti freeze in the engine is full and no anti freeze in the bilge under the engine. I am now suspecting the heat exchanger because I tried to install a new zink and it is hitting something hard just inside the he. Am I on the right track? Your thoughts
I had a leak betweent the raw water side and the antifreeze side of my heat exchanger. It happens. You will not see a leak anywere in the engine compartment. The antifreeze just goes overboard. I removed the heat exchanger and cleaned it. Then I coated it in soapy water and blew compressed air into the opposite end while looking for bubbled. I found them, so I bought a new heat exchanger. Since Catalina Direct was backed up a couple of weeks due to COVID, I plugged that tube from both sides with some self-amalgamating mastic rubber tape and put it back together. I still have the new one sitting in a box, but plugging that tube solved the problem. I don't recommend that solution, but I was in a bind and it worked.
Good Luck!
David Hickman
"Beach Belle"
1983 Catalina 36 Mk I - #154
Mobile, AL
David
Mobile, AL
S/V Beach Belle
1983 Catalina 36 Mk I #154
Std. Rig, Fin Keel, M25
Be aware that many of the pencil zincs that are sold are a little too long for the heat exchangers on our boat. I've found I need to saw a little off the end before installing.
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY