Kamd 43 p coolant pump

[standfirmrasta]

Hi

Just replaced the seals on my water pump due to a leak.
Did some local trials etc and bled any air locks out etc and all fine no more leak.
Went out on Sat and did three hours at 3500 rpm and still no leak (looking good!)
On checking the level in marina it was a tad low(just above minimum mark) so topped it up to just above the max line.
On return trip today again a slightly shorter trip of two hours at same revs I was dismayed to discover about half a pint of coolant in the bilge(no time to do much investigation as the tide was going out.

My question is,(and i'm grabbing at straws) I know its a sealed system but if I did fill it too much where would the coolant exit from?

Cheers Andy

 

[neale]

43

I believe it was quite common on the kad/KAMD42 for it to chuck out a little coolant. I was advised to leave the level at or around the minimum mark. I thought this issue was sorted out on the 43, which is the same motor as the 42, but maybe not.

I assume it would come out of the filler cap when the pressure gets too much.

 

[RIN]

Don't know about KAMD43's but if I top my KAD32s to the max, there will be a pool of coolant in the bilge after a run. I have them just above the min mark which seems to be ok now. The coolant vents through the filler cap.

 

[DavidJ]

This reminds me of a problem that I had some years ago with a VP petrol engined Sealine 195. The bearing at the back of the pump had worn so much that the shaft was exceeding the limits that the new seal could take up. I ignored the problem (only a little leakage and it was raw water cooling so no need to top up) but the water splashed into the alternator and eventually wrecked that!! A long while ago now but I can't remember fitting a new bearing being particularly difficult.

 

[scubaman]

Hi

Just replaced the seals on my water pump due to a leak.
Did some local trials etc and bled any air locks out etc and all fine no more leak.
Went out on Sat and did three hours at 3500 rpm and still no leak (looking good!)
On checking the level in marina it was a tad low(just above minimum mark) so topped it up to just above the max line.
On return trip today again a slightly shorter trip of two hours at same revs I was dismayed to discover about half a pint of coolant in the bilge(no time to do much investigation as the tide was going out.

My question is,(and i'm grabbing at straws) I know its a sealed system but if I did fill it too much where would the coolant exit from?

Cheers Andy

I was also told to keep the coolant level very low, so low that it just covers the bottom. The filler cap doubles as an overpressure valve and typically 'leaks'.

Another possibility is a leaking head gasket, although normally coolant leaking from the side of the block evaporates before reaching the bilges.

On our KAD42 I was happy as long as there was some left in the expansion tank.

 

[Wiggo]

I lost track of the number of times I 'topped up' out KAMD43's only to have them 'reset' themselves to just a dribble in the bottom of the header tank. Now, if the bottom of the header looks wet when the engines are stone cold, it's good enough for me...

 

[[2068]]

I guess it varies on each installation, but about an inch below "high" seems to be okay on my KAD32's.

Anything higher = spillage

 

[standfirmrasta]

Thanks for the replies ,

It apeared on scant investigation that the coolant may have been coming from the pump with the new seals!!!

On further enquiries today I understand that the fitting of new seals to the waterpump is a very hit or miss job!! and can produce leaks sometimes weeks after being fitted,mine was only three hours before it leaked.

Any one confirm this new (too me) information?

Andy

 

[DavidJ]

On further enquiries today I understand that the fitting of new seals to the waterpump is a very hit or miss job!!

As long as the seals are competantly fitted and the shaft is not grooved or pitted there is nothing hit and miss about the job to make it watertight.

 

[standfirmrasta]

Any more comments /opinions regarding the above ?

Andy