A small Leak!

[Brian_B]

I've a small leak of fresh water plus anti-freeze that collects in the engine bilge.
I think it's coming from the area around the raw water impeller.

Has anyone thoughts on a common cause of leaks in this area on a Volvo MD2003?
Thought I'd ask before I start stripping down, the engine!

 

[pvb]

A common cause of leaks in that area is a worn seal in the raw water pump. However, that would leak seawater, not fresh water with antifreeze. Are you sure the freshwater system isn't overfull? If it is, it might leak from the header tank as the engine heats up.

 

[Landale]

If it's around the area of the raw water impellor then there should be no antifreeze leaking - but if it is the seal at the back of the pump - really easy to change but change the oil seal immediately behind it and don't forget to re-install the O ring between them.

The antifreeze would suggest a leak from elsewhere though.

 

[iangrant]

Make sure you're not overfilling the header tank - it will spit it out.

 

[alan]

Not sure about the MD 2003; but the 2020 has a small plastic pipe which is used to discharge overflows from the fresh water part of the system; the pipe is connected to the filler tube just under the pressure cap. It usually drains into the bilge, but could it be dripping down onto the water pump??
I would say that fresh water+antifreeze is unlikely to be coming from the raw water pump.

Alan.

 

[oldaljones]

I had a similar problem with the same engine, you should check the mounts of the fresh water plastic resevoir, if it is mounted on the engine the vibrations when running can cause it to leak from the screw on cap, not much but its annoying. I cured mine by mounting the resevoir to the boat inside the engine box

Old Al

 

[Brian_B]

Good point. As a general rule, I'll try the simple and obvious thing first.
Thanks
B

 

[Jonny_H]

I believe, and I'm sure I'll be corrected if wrong, that the 2003 is the same engine as the Perkins Perama M35 - in which case I can confirm that there is a thin pipe which attaches to the header tank by the filler cap - on my boat this pipe is tucked away very neatly and runs tidily behind the engine to ... the bilge ... worth checking!

Jonny

 

[pvb]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe, and I'm sure I'll be corrected if wrong, that the 2003 is the same engine as the Perkins Perama M35...

[/ QUOTE ]I think you were expecting this but, yes, you're wrong. The Volvo Penta 2030 is based on the Perama; the 2003 isn't.

 

[Jonny_H]

See - I was close! 2030, 2003 - my memory isn't all that hot after all!

Jonny