Seafarer 38c - Fresh water leak and steam from engine

[edbolles]

Hello Seafarers. I have a 1979 Seafarer 38c and love it. The marina did not winterize properly and now my fresh water system is leaking most of the holding tank into the bilge. The leak is between the engine area and bathroom. How hard is it to replace hoses? Yesterday I ran the engine for 3 hours and found steam in engine compartment and the bathroom. I shutdown the engine and seemed very hot. Ideas? Are both issues caused by the water leak?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The plumbing leak should be simple to trace and repair. The engine is a different animal. No temp gauge on the engine? Any leaks from engine?

 

[Tally Ho]

Hi Ed,

The fresh water leak may be found by putting some food coloring in the water tank and then inspecting around the tank, the visible hoses, etc. for the leak. Depending on the water hose type and the locatio Of a crack, it can be repaired or replaced. We should refer to the water tank as just that…water tank. A ” holding tank” usually refers to a black-water tank that holds waste from the head . You don’t want to confuse those tanks!

The engine issues are probably not related as the potable water system should not interface with the engine. But your symptoms are concerning…steam in the engine bay isn’t good. Best to figure this problem out pronto.

Greg

 

[jssailem]

Steam in engine compartment.

Confirm it is steam,

• raw water heated by engine exhaust
• Fresh Water from hot water tank venting

Like steam but oily residue on engine

• Coolant leak from pump
• Fuel leak
• Exhaust leak

Prioritize identification of this issue and resolve before going out again.