Beta problem

[30boat]

My four year old BD722 20 hp Beta has the habit of expelling a bit of coolant everytime it runs.I ran it a few days ago for several hours and there it was ,a small blue pool.The amount of coolant doesn't seem to be proportional to the running time wich is odd.This time there was a little oil in there as well.As far as I can tell there is no water in the oil.The engine never overheated and there are no visible head leaks. Still alll this makes me think of a failing head gasket, although the nice people at Beta say it is unlikely.I already replaced the heat exchanger cap.
Any ideas?

 

[Habebty]

Mine does that too. Don't think it is a problem as it is probably just expansion run-off. If you top up the cooling water to the level quoted in the manual then this does happen and if you then remove the header tank cap when the engine is cold it would appear the fluid level is a little low. If you leave the header tank water level at this level the run-off from the header tank should stop.
The freshwater to antifreeze ratio is important to ensure the correct boiling point/running temperature and probably rate of thermal expansion of freshwater which would dictate the amount of overflow from the header tank.
Then again I could have misread this from earlier threads and be typing cobblers /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[30boat]

Thanks for your reply.It's good to know it's not just mine.I'm relieved.

 

[gary3029]

yep my 20 does the same thing. was very worried when I first noticed it, now I just check it every time I go out...doesn't seem to be a problem...just messy if you fill the header too much

 

[Krusty]

I have the same engine and used to have the same coolant discharge.
I endorse what 'Wherry' has posted. I now leave my coolant level apparently low: no more blue puddles, and no top-up needed in 500 hours running. No overheating either!
I am currently trying to trace the source of oil in the drip-tray, so far without certainty, but the amount is reducing. I suspected over-filling causing churning and frothing, pressure-build up with warmth and forcing the oil-seals. Withdrew some oil, and the leakage has almost ceased, but if a seal has been damaged, it will never cease completely.
The oil level (cold) is now about 8mm below the upper mark on the dipstick, and I will regard that as my maximum desirable level.
Hope this is of some help.

 

[doug748]

I have had a similar thing with the oil. I thought I had overfilled the gearbox (the dipstick is particularly hard to read). I will take more care in future.