I have a 18 hp volvo engine in my Beneteau 285 ,and I'm loosing antifreeze , can't find where it's going , checked all around the engine , not a drop , any ideas or have you had the same problem?
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Possibilities ....
leaking head gasket
leaking water pump (fresh water loop) seal.
The easiest way to ascertain a leaky head gasket to cooling loop circuit leak is to go to an automotive parts tore and buy some fluorescent indicator tablets. You put these into the cooling water (closed circuit loop) and let dissolve and run the engine a short time. Then you open the tank and shine in 'black light' ... if the water now fluoresces under black light - it means that the combustion chamber is 'communicating' with the cooling water .... and the head gasket should be replaced. Carbon dioxide that is forced into the cooling water from the leak will 'flouresce' under 'black light' when these special 'indicator tablets' are added to the cooling water. When the cylinder is pressurized the gases will short circut into the cooling water; during the downstroke the water is drawn into the combustion chamber.
A 'good' mechanic will have the black light equipment to do this 'test'.
leaking head gasket
leaking water pump (fresh water loop) seal.
The easiest way to ascertain a leaky head gasket to cooling loop circuit leak is to go to an automotive parts tore and buy some fluorescent indicator tablets. You put these into the cooling water (closed circuit loop) and let dissolve and run the engine a short time. Then you open the tank and shine in 'black light' ... if the water now fluoresces under black light - it means that the combustion chamber is 'communicating' with the cooling water .... and the head gasket should be replaced. Carbon dioxide that is forced into the cooling water from the leak will 'flouresce' under 'black light' when these special 'indicator tablets' are added to the cooling water. When the cylinder is pressurized the gases will short circut into the cooling water; during the downstroke the water is drawn into the combustion chamber.
A 'good' mechanic will have the black light equipment to do this 'test'.
Just Had This Happen
I lost a lot of coolant recently and because of a previous experience I suspected the water heater heat exchanger. Found it leaking from one of the tubes which appeared reasonably tight at the clamp. I tightened it more and the leak went away. Sometimes, electrolysis causes the heat exchanger seal to go and the engine coolant will run down between the tank and the cover, saturating the inner insulation. It would be the first thing I'd check. Good luck. Rick D.
I lost a lot of coolant recently and because of a previous experience I suspected the water heater heat exchanger. Found it leaking from one of the tubes which appeared reasonably tight at the clamp. I tightened it more and the leak went away. Sometimes, electrolysis causes the heat exchanger seal to go and the engine coolant will run down between the tank and the cover, saturating the inner insulation. It would be the first thing I'd check. Good luck. Rick D.
Seems to be a rash of coolant losses from the lines
to the hot water heater. Mine failed earlier this year. Check those hoses carefully and/or replace them.
to the hot water heater. Mine failed earlier this year. Check those hoses carefully and/or replace them.
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