No coolant in reservoir

[trevorc5505]

I have a 2007 Seadoo challenger 180. I recently took it out for a few hours and ran it fairly hard for a little. When I came in I inspected the engine and the coolant reservoir was empty.

What can cause this? Am I right that this doesn't sound like a good thing?

The reservoir was full leading up until that day.

 

[CSager]

This just happened to me today! Never had an issue before no coolant in the boat or the oil did you find out what happened?

 

[Coastiejoe]

It is going somewhere...

Look at the engine oil, is it milky?

Look in the hull for a leak. It may be hard to find as the Bailer would suck it out of the hull. Do a pressure test on the system and look for a leak..

 

[trevorc5505]

Weirdest thing. I ended up putting some back in it. I have ran the engine for about 4 hours since then at very low throttle and idle and it is all still there. No loss at all.

 

[trevorc5505]

With that being said. I am leaning towards two things... One: potentially the cap was not on tight and the coolant leaked out the cap when the coolant got hot?

Two: potentially I do have a leak somewhere in the system and I have not yet run the boat hard enough since then to experience coolant loss?

 

[trevorc5505]

It is going somewhere...

Look at the engine oil, is it milky?

Look in the hull for a leak. It may be hard to find as the Bailer would suck it out of the hull. Do a pressure test on the system and look for a leak..

Might it not have drained out since then because idle speed for a few hours isn't enough to open the thermostat?

 

[CSager]

That is odd I'll have a better look at mine tomorrow oil was clean not milky hull was bone dry. Pressure test good idea! Not sure what the bailer your talking about is?

 

[trevorc5505]

I am assuming the bailer is the bilge pump? I am actually having a new thought here: I recently had the dealer reseal my ride plate. This involves taking the coolant hoses off the ride plate. I'm wondering if they didn't fill the coolant back up and bleed it properly after they did it. Or I'm wondering if they left one hose slightly loose causing the coolant to leak out.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I am assuming the bailer is the bilge pump? I am actually having a new thought here: I recently had the dealer reseal my ride plate. This involves taking the coolant hoses off the ride plate. I'm wondering if they didn't fill the coolant back up and bleed it properly after they did it. Or I'm wondering if they left one hose slightly loose causing the coolant to leak out.

Could be that simple. Maybe it just needed burped.

 

[trevorc5505]

That is odd I'll have a better look at mine tomorrow oil was clean not milky hull was bone dry. Pressure test good idea! Not sure what the bailer your talking about is?

Did you figure anything out?

 

[CSager]

No I did a pressure check no leaks oil was clean the only thing I can think was that it needed a burp. I changed the fluid last year ran it a bit but not as hard as I did on the weekend so I think that must have been it. when I get on the water again I guess I'll really find out but for now everything looks good