Anti freeze in the bilge

[PhillM]

I have a new Beta 14 that was fitted this year. All new pipe work and exhaust system.
A couple of weeks ago, with the help of a mechanic, I winterised the engine. I have GREEN antifreeze in the fresh water side. With the engine running, we opened the strainer and put 5L of RED antifreeze so that it would pump through the sea water side.

I don’t recall seeing any water in the bilges when I left, but to be honest I had overstayed my time and had to get back to work sharpish.

Today I noticed that there was RED antifreeze diluted in the bilge. I do have a leak from my depth transducer and a couple of other minor leaks, so it was not surprising that there was water, what surprised me is that there was RED antifreeze in it, which must have come from the sea water system.

Looking at the pipes, I can see the red antifreeze from the strainer to almost the top of the anti-sipoon valve, on both sides. I can also see that the pipe leading to the heat exchanger has antifreeze in it, but only to a level of the bottom of the HE inlet. I recall that this was full when we turned the engine off.

I had a good look around but could not see or feel any leaks. Do you think this is normal and any ideas where I should start?

 

[alahol2]

I have a new Beta 14 that was fitted this year. All new pipe work and exhaust system.
A couple of weeks ago, with the help of a mechanic, I winterised the engine. I have GREEN antifreeze in the fresh water side. With the engine running, we opened the strainer and put 5L of RED antifreeze so that it would pump through the sea water side.

I don’t recall seeing any water in the bilges when I left, but to be honest I had overstayed my time and had to get back to work sharpish.

Today I noticed that there was RED antifreeze diluted in the bilge. I do have a leak from my depth transducer and a couple of other minor leaks, so it was not surprising that there was water, what surprised me is that there was RED antifreeze in it, which must have come from the sea water system.

Looking at the pipes, I can see the red antifreeze from the strainer to almost the top of the anti-sipoon valve, on both sides. I can also see that the pipe leading to the heat exchanger has antifreeze in it, but only to a level of the bottom of the HE inlet. I recall that this was full when we turned the engine off.

I had a good look around but could not see or feel any leaks. Do you think this is normal and any ideas where I should start?

You shouldn't have water "to almost the top of the anti-siphon valve, on both sides", the idea is that the anti syphon valve allows the water to drain back into the exhaust on one side and the heat exchanger on the other.
How can you see where the water is? Have you got clear pipes? Maybe you are looking at staining.
My guess would be that the water in the bilge has come from a sticking anti syphon valve or the water pump face plate. Or maybe you just spilled some when pouring it in.

 

[VicS]

You shouldn't have water "to almost the top of the anti-siphon valve, on both sides", the idea is that the anti syphon valve allows the water to drain back into the exhaust on one side and the heat exchanger on the other.
How can you see where the water is? Have you got clear pipes? Maybe you are looking at staining.
My guess would be that the water in the bilge has come from a sticking anti syphon valve or the water pump face plate. Or maybe you just spilled some when pouring it in.

Or has leaked from the exhaust system.

I agree though it should have drained back down from the antisyphon device. At least from the outlet side if not from the inlet side The valve it it needs sorting out before its the cause of a flooded engine.

 

[PhillM]

Thanks for the replies.

I do have clear pipes.

I think that the antifreeze is about half way up the anti-siphon on both sides, I will check and post the results.

I will go back down one evening this week and take a few pictures.

 

[Pye_End]

Is it leaking out of the wet box? If the levels up to the anti-siphon are down from the top then presumably the anti-siphon is doing it's job, in which case it should not be being drawn into the exhaust. Where exactly in the cycle is your anti-siphon? Sounds like it might be before the h/e?

Otherwise perhaps from one end of the h/e stack or perhaps the anode (as well as the pump assembly).

 

[Billjratt]

Something in the back of my mind about "it didn't leak until I put the antifreeze in" to do with cars ( in the middle of last century!) Just wondering if it had 'found' a leak that is just a negligeable weep in normal operation?