Hot water heater runs pink??

[aw6686]

Hot water runs antifreeze pink after engine use. Water system was flushed 3 times. The antifreeze in the overflow needs refill after engine use. Not sure if the two are connected but it sure feels that way. Has anyone had this experience? Thanks

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Edit from Phil H: I spoke with these folks on the phone, and they winterized their water system with pink anti-freeze. They may also have pink anti-freeze in their engine cooling system, I'm not sure.

After three flushes of the fresh water system they're still seeing pink anti-freeze in their drinking water. They are not sure if they have a leak in their 3-year old hot water heater (which has an integrated heat exchanger) , or if there is still coolant in the fresh water system.

The hot water heater is still producing hot water. My money is on leftover coolant in the fresh water system -- I have to think a leaking hot water tank is rare after just 3 years -- but being on the west coast I have very little experience with this problem.

 

[markwbird]

They are indeed connected

The water heater uses heat from the engine to heat your water via a heat exchanger. The engine's cooling water circulates through pipes that run through the water heater. You have a leak.

 

[Jackdaw]

The water heater uses heat from the engine to heat your water via a heat exchanger. The engine's cooling water circulates through pipes that run through the water heater. You have a leak.

Normally engine antifreeze is green. I've never seen pink.

Was your hot-water heater bypassed when winterized? If not there could be a LOT of antifreeze in there.

 

[Sprega]

Lots of pink antifreeze out there. Could be the problem.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks, Phil, for that editorial.

To the OP.

Flush, Flush, Flush.

Learn, while you're doing it, how it all works.

Tell us what you used in your engine and in your fresh water winterization. Phil said they were both pink, but what materials. Where they different with just the same color?

The: Flush, Flush, Flush. Before you conclude that a three year old heater is broken. My last heater lasted 16 years, and wasn't actually leaking, just cranky!

My experience, from 17 years with our association is that these heaters last anywhere from 10-15 years.

Good luck.

 

[Maine Sail]

If you had a leak in your water heater HX the pressure from the fresh water pump would burp the radiator cap.

It is possible the engine HX is leaking. Best and easiest test for this is to see what the freeze point of the coolant is and the watch for changes... It will also will not hold pressure well if god engine HX leaks..

 

[aw6686]

Thanks to all for your comments.
1. Our engine coolant is orange not print so the water running pink is not from the engine.
2. Our marina accidently used -100 and recommended flushing with 1.5 oz of bleach in water tank. This worked pink no more
3. Water heater is not working when running engine or using shore power.
4. Still losing engine coolant.

 

[capta]

Thanks to all for your comments.
1. Our engine coolant is orange not print so the water running pink is not from the engine.
2. Our marina accidently used -100 and recommended flushing with 1.5 oz of bleach in water tank. This worked pink no more
3. Water heater is not working when running engine or using shore power.
4. Still losing engine coolant.

Many water heaters are connected to the engine cooling system, using the engine hot water to heat the water heater water. No electrics involved or switches. Either you have a leak in this system, if you have it, or you have a leak in the engine cooling system. If you cannot find any indication of the engine cooling water leak externally, then it must be internal, at the head gasket into the cylinders or into the oil pan. I would be very concerned and not operate the engine, except to find the leak, until I had located the leak. Check your oil for water contamination first.

 

[Maine Sail]

Thanks to all for your comments.
1. Our engine coolant is orange not print so the water running pink is not from the engine.
2. Our marina accidently used -100 and recommended flushing with 1.5 oz of bleach in water tank. This worked pink no more
3. Water heater is not working when running engine or using shore power.
4. Still losing engine coolant.

Did your marina tryto fill the water heater with AF to prevent freezing?? This is nearly impossible and would take perhaps 10-12 gallons to even get close. You BYPASS water heaters for the winter and DRAIN them.. Sounds like you perhaps had a freeze up...