Stern drive KAD32p - water dripping, any tips?

[dr_oli]

Hi all, I would appreciate your experience and advice. On my Sealine F33 with twin KAD32P stern drive engines, I occasionally notice a small amount of water dripping on the backboard engine when the engine is running. It’s not constant — sometimes it happens and sometimes not — and the pace is about one drop every 1–2 seconds. Even after 2–3 hours of cruising, the total volume is no more than 100–200 ml.

When I arrive in port and check right after shutdown, I often see no dripping at all, but the next time I visit the boat, it can be present again. There is no water dripping when the engines are not running.

I tried to locate the source, and it seems to be roughly in the middle of the engine, about 20–22 cm inward from the edge, dripping toward the engine center. Unfortunately, access is limited, so I can’t see the exact origin. The hose to the raw water pump looks fine, and I don’t see leaks there. I also cannot confirm whether the leak is coming from the outlet side toward the stern drive, as visibility is poor.

Given that the drip appears only with the engine running, I assume that it is likely something related to pressurized cooling water or exhaust cooling, but I cannot confirm.

Has anyone had a similar issue? What was the cause in your case, and how was it resolved?

Thx,
Oliver

 

[Anibal]

I am not sure on the KAD32 but on my previous boat the engine was a VP 4.3GL-J and this engine has 4 drain plugs, 2 on each side of the block and 2 on each manifold. The idea behind these plugs is to allow the engine to bleed raw water prior to winterisation. The plugs are made of plastic and should be replaced every 5 years at least because they become brittle with temperature changes and can crack, creating a leak. Download the engine owners manual so that you have a pretty good idea where all your hoses go and if in fact the KAD 32 has drain plugs.

 

[Sianna]

I'd start by checking the coolant drain hose jubilee clips, the coolant drain hoses are found under the engine normally zip tied to something, I had some leaks under the engine only whilst running and one of the jubilee clips had corroded allowing some coolant to leak out?

 

[dr_oli]

I was already checking those hoses (btw. I have sea water drops). From coolant side, looks ok but thx for tip.

 

[James jameson]

Oil cooler end caps corroded ?