Fluid line to overflow tank

[Hydro Therapy]

I went to the boat the other day. It’s on the hard for the winter. I noticed my Westerbeke antifreeze overflow tank was empty and I had some green antifreeze that accumulated on the diaper under my 12c-two. The overflow tank does not appear damaged. I then removed the radiator cap and noticed the reservoir was filled. It appears that the line running between the 2 would be the weak link. Is it possible to leak out due to back pressure from cold weather? It didn’t leak all summer. I went on the westerbeake site and realized the tubing is 5/16 inner diameter and costs .40 per inch. I probably need 8-10 feet. Has anyone used some type of flexible tubing from a hardware store?

3 months to launch but who’s counting.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Can you tell from the wet diaper, or maybe a fresh diaper, where exactly the leak is coming from? I once had a hose clamp loosen over the winter enough for a slow leak. Not sure if it was from contracting in the cold or just coincidental timing.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

unfortunately by the time I noticed it everything was dry on the engine. I know I have a very small almost non existent leak on the elbow that exits the manifold and connects to the overflow tank tubing. It leaks out the threaded end that screws into the manifold. The concentration on the diaper was under the opposite side of the engine but it is possible that it followed a path to that side. The elbow has never leaked enough to empty my overflow tank but I will start with that and peek around better when it warms up a bit.