This spring we purchased a classic Catalina 36 that had good reviews from the surveyor. The antifreeze in the Kubota was low so we topped it off.
Between May and July, the level dropped enough to give me a warning blast from the alarm. Thank you Frank for that alarm! I wonder if other owners have experienced this and if so where are the best places to look. No obvious leaks or antifreeze detected from oil analysis.
Antifreeze Consumption
Sun, 07/22/2012 - 12:39
#1
Antifreeze Consumption
Head gasket is a possible source, compression test might be helpful. Also a crack in the exhaust manifold water jacket or a pinhole leak in the heat exchanger, do you smell antifreeze in the exhaust at all? No doubt there's other possibilities.
The most likely and also easiest to fix of the causes Bud lists is the heat exchanger. Remove it and take it to a rad shop that does marine heat exchangers. Many fresh water runabouts have the same type of system so there's usually a rad shop used to these marine heat exchangers around. They will clean it out, acid wash it, pressure test it and plug any leaking tubes (or tell you to replace it if many tubes leak).
Should you need to replace it (likely given your boat age and symptoms), San Juan Engineering of Seattle makes an aftermarket replacement that's likely less expensive than 'factory' replacement.
Good time to replace hoses too. Make sure you use the correct reinforced hoses, especially on the salt water lines.
Ralph Gorby
S/V Silver Flight, 1991 C36 #1153
M35B (2000)
Member, SNSYC
Victoria, BC
Is there any in the bilge? "No obvious leaks?" Check the hoses to the hot water heater, too. If nothing inside the boat, HX is suspect #1.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Look carefully at every place the hoses are clamped in. Place a clean paper towel under those areas and see if any antifreeze shows up over 24 hours.
I had a leak at one of the hose clamps and pinpointed it this way.
Laura Olsen
Commodore C36/375IA
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD
Thank you all for your prompt and thorough responses. I like the idea of using paper towels to identify leaks and am thankful for the reference for an aftermarket heat exchanger. I really enjoy this boat and can't wait until our crew and equipment are ready to cross Lake Superior. Rick and Dawn Oftel
[url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6920.0.html[/url]
The alternative might be the same guys in WA.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
If your engine has an air bleed petcock you should make sure it is fully closed (don't ask how I know this one).
Mike Ogline
SHADOW #1831
2000 SR/WK
Deltaville - Chesapeake Bay