Hello everyone,
I ran my M-35B (2002 36MK2) for about 6 hours after sever short runs post summer launch. I discovered the bilge had a quantity of coolant in it. The expansion tank was now empty.
I refilled the expansion tank and ran at idle for over an hour. No defined leak discovered. However I noticed the bulkhead behind the kitchen trash basket is moist at the entire base. Also some moister on the engine cover where it meats the trash bulkhead. I have crawled all around in back and can't find anything leaking. Also no fund under the engine. However under the sink there was fluid. I'm perplexed. Next move? Disassemble the bulkhead wall between the engine and refer???
Thanks for any feed back, PJ
Have you checked the hoses and clamps leading to the hot water tank?
Use a white paper towel to detect fluid.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
Thanks for your thought on the houses. I have checked all that I can see and still no luck on where the leak may be.
From your description it appears that the coolant cap may be spraying the fluid. It is 17psi, try replacing it for a test.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Or put a paper towel around the cap to check for a leak. Paper towels are great leak detectors.
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL
Thanks doe the thought on the coolant cap. It is definitely not the source. The area is very clean. I did find the bulkhead base between the Aqua lift for the muffler and the trash barrel in the galley wet with fluid that appears to have wicked up the plywood... but no massive leak signs anywhere.
I have shut off the water heater supply lines and will report back in a day or two. Perhaps the heater supply lines are under the floor where I cant see them?
If none of the other ideas turn up a source of the leak, check your mounting brackets for the heat exchanger. If they have broken free from the exchanger, they can create weak spots and pinholes on the exchanger from moving around. That's what happened on my 2001 recently. I replaced it with a Mr. Cool, and that solved my problem. Not sure if this will help you, but its at least one more place to look.
So I found the problem by isolating the water heater. This stopped the leaking. I ended up replacing both supply and return lines (5/8 ID).
thanks for all your suggestions.
PJ