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Starboard engine coolant resovoir keeps running low
- Thread starter Kodiak18
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devonte007
Active Member
How many times has this happened, just once or can you repeat the issue multiple times by filling it up and running the boat only to find it empty again?
Have you had the coolant changed recently? Could just be the engine cooling system burping and clearing the air bubbles during the first run after this service. If so this is normal, just fill it back up and go.
If it is a repetitive problem the coolant has got to be going somewhere. The engine could be burning it (head gasket, cracked head, etc.) or it is leaking (either internally to the boat or outside the boat into the water). A pressure test to the cooling system should help you track down the issue.
Have you had the coolant changed recently? Could just be the engine cooling system burping and clearing the air bubbles during the first run after this service. If so this is normal, just fill it back up and go.
If it is a repetitive problem the coolant has got to be going somewhere. The engine could be burning it (head gasket, cracked head, etc.) or it is leaking (either internally to the boat or outside the boat into the water). A pressure test to the cooling system should help you track down the issue.
devonte007
Active Member
Since coolant is leaking into the hull it means to have an external leak to the system which is good - much better than finding out the engine is burning coolant. Your boat has 2 engines I believe, and I assume that only one engine is leaking coolant; correct?
Question: You say it will leak with then engine running, but will the reservoir also leak out if the boat just sits for a while without the engine running? If it only leaks with the engine running then you will need to pressure test to find the leak.
This is not really a common issue so I suspect it is something related to the hose connections. Some of the factory hose clamps are those cheap wire spring clamps that just go bad over time. I would focus my attention on the hoses going to the oil cooler and the hoses attached to the ride plate (heat exchanger) on the bottom of the boat. Leaks usually occur at the most inaccessible places, so have fun contorting your body to get into the engine compartment to find these areas.
If you haven't done so already I would get a copy of the shop manual for these boats, which is available through this site by clicking the 'manuals' link at the top of the page. It's a fantastic resource for times like this. I extracted a few pages for you that discuss the cooling system and how to pressure test and you can download it by clicking the link:
View attachment 2004_4tec_coolingsystem.pdf
I suspect any automotive type radiator pressure tester should work. Here in the states I would probably go to a store like Harbor Freight for this, not sure what you have up by you. Good luck with the testing, I hope it is something simple. Post back and let us know what you find.
Question: You say it will leak with then engine running, but will the reservoir also leak out if the boat just sits for a while without the engine running? If it only leaks with the engine running then you will need to pressure test to find the leak.
This is not really a common issue so I suspect it is something related to the hose connections. Some of the factory hose clamps are those cheap wire spring clamps that just go bad over time. I would focus my attention on the hoses going to the oil cooler and the hoses attached to the ride plate (heat exchanger) on the bottom of the boat. Leaks usually occur at the most inaccessible places, so have fun contorting your body to get into the engine compartment to find these areas.
If you haven't done so already I would get a copy of the shop manual for these boats, which is available through this site by clicking the 'manuals' link at the top of the page. It's a fantastic resource for times like this. I extracted a few pages for you that discuss the cooling system and how to pressure test and you can download it by clicking the link:
View attachment 2004_4tec_coolingsystem.pdf
I suspect any automotive type radiator pressure tester should work. Here in the states I would probably go to a store like Harbor Freight for this, not sure what you have up by you. Good luck with the testing, I hope it is something simple. Post back and let us know what you find.
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