Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

[flywelder]

I have a 1989 mercruiser 470 / 224CID with a reservoir and heat exchanger cooling system.
Every spring when i check the reservoir, it is low and I must add antifreeze mixture ...about 1 pint or a quart. I check the oiul and there is no water or antifreeze on the dipstick. there is non in the bilge area. All summer I never have to add cooling fluid,..... only in the spring do I.

Any ideas where this fluid could be going? ..and is this small /acceptable amount .../normal occurrence and should I not worry about it?

I should add that for winter storage I raise the bow of the boat up so rain and snow run off the tarp and not into the interior.... do you feel this would be a contributing factor?

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

I have your motor - and your problem.
Mine was an internal leak in the heat exchanger.

Question - do you drain the freshwater side of your hex every fall?

-br

 

[flywelder]

Re: Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

Hi and thanks for replying!
Yes i do drain the fresh water side of the heat exchanger every fall.... I don't see antifreeze in there... did you with your engine?..and that clued you to a leak?

Do you use your boat in sea water?
Mine is always in fresh water.

You mentioned that you have my same engine......for that reason can i ask another question?
This would be concerning the flame arresstor.... is your flame arrestor only about 1 inch or 2 inches tall? for mine is and I have wondered about increasing the height of the flame arrestor and thus allowing the engine to breath more air..which might help with full throttle take offs with skiers..what are your thoughts?

Also, have you installed a after market ski bar or 'Monkey tower' to your boat ( wellcraft) if so what brand and model did you go with and has it served your purpose well?...for I have been looking for a ski pole to raise the rope attachment higher off the boat.
I await your replies, and again thanks.

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Where does the antifreeze disappear to every spring?

Re: Where does the antifreeze disappear to every spring?

Hi Flywelder;
Sorry for the delay - busy week.

For several seasons I had to add coolant in the spring.
Finally this year (last fall) I saw green in the freshwater when I drained the hex.

So that clued me in. I have the 4" diameter hex and I discovered most places order them as needed. Then I found the best price and delivery on Long Island - they had one in stock.
409.00 plus minimal shipping. I can find their name if you wish.

Not hard to replace if you're mechanically inclined; good time to check the elbow / exhaust manifold, hoses etc. Mine also needed the gasket between the reservoir/elbow and the manifold.

Flame arrestor - yes have the same one. You can clean the fins with spray solvent.

The engine shouldn't have any trouble breathing with the FA it came with; provided it's clean.

If you want more grunt for towing a skier etc what you need is a prop change. That's how you get a better holeshot "snap." People keep a skiing prop and a cruising prop. You can get a different pitch or a four or five blade as opposed to three.

No I don't have a wakeboard tower. I use a tow ring in the transom or my (removable) ski pylon.
Watch out if you use a pylon and pull a tube. It yanked mine out of the floor one season when the rider fell off the tube and the tube flipped over and became a giant water ladle. Fun.

If I were to buy a tower I would want a removable or foldable one that could still fit my boat in the garage. And I would prefer stainless, but that's just me.

I really like the 470 - it's been good to me.
Holler if more questions.
-br

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

As far as I know (not all that far) there are only three places the coolant can "vanish" to. A leaky heat exchanger and out with the seawater, a leaky coolant reservoir (into the exhaust), or into the engine (combustion chamber) through a leaky head gasket. Mine was the head gasket. A compression test and cooling system pressure test could tell you what you need to know. You can borrow the testers from Autozone for free. Good luck!

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

As far as I know (not all that far) there are only three places the coolant can "vanish" to. A leaky heat exchanger and out with the seawater, a leaky coolant reservoir (into the exhaust), or into the engine (combustion chamber) through a leaky head gasket. Mine was the head gasket. A compression test and cooling system pressure test could tell you what you need to know. You can borrow the testers from Autozone for free. Good luck!

Terry can't a leaking reservoir also wind up back in the cylinder via the manifold?
-br

 

[flywelder]

Re: Where does the antifreeze disappear to every spring?

Re: Where does the antifreeze disappear to every spring?

Thanks to all! Now Bolten ranger, please tell me what pylon you installed and used for skiing?.....and how tall was it?
Yes, I agree that using the eyelets on the transom are the only place for tubes.
Flwelder

 

[flywelder]

Re: Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

Boltonranger,
About my merc's lower unit.......
The numbers on the identity tags are well faded, and cannot be read on the lower unit and Transom assembly.
I am wanting to know if I have a R or MR or Alpha One drive?.....what do you have with your 170 HP?

Bimini tops

What Bimini top is best for these boats, if i want to be able to stand underneath the top while in the boat?
Where to best get the Bimini top from?

SKi Pole

What ski pole is best for these boats? and where is best place to mount the pole and how to best to mount the pole?


Any problem areas with the boat or motor, I should look at / into/ search for?

Thanks ,

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

I'll take a look tonite and get back with you Flywelder.
--br

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Where does the antifreeze dissapear to every spring?

Boltonranger,
About my merc's lower unit.......
The numbers on the identity tags are well faded, and cannot be read on the lower unit and Transom assembly.
I am wanting to know if I have a R or MR or Alpha One drive?.....what do you have with your 170 HP?

Bimini tops

What Bimini top is best for these boats, if i want to be able to stand underneath the top while in the boat?
Where to best get the Bimini top from?

SKi Pole

What ski pole is best for these boats? and where is best place to mount the pole and how to best to mount the pole?


Any problem areas with the boat or motor, I should look at / into/ search for?

Thanks ,

Hi Flywelder - got some answers
Ski pole - is stainless - about 3 and 1/3 feet tall.
It mounts into the floor with discs that are slotted and flush mount.
It has a main pole and 2 supports - all slide into their own flush mounted disks and when they are in they are held together by a locking pin. Takes less than 1 minute to set up. Actual install time I don't know bc I bought it that way. The base discs are held in place with flush mount screws.
Mine sits about 18 inches in front of the motor box. My boat has fore and aft seats as well as 2 jump seats on either side of the motor box. Passengers move out of these and into the aft seats for spotting and to stay out of way of and guide the rope. Mine is 20 years old but similar to Swivel-eze brand.

Bimini tops - I have the low one; and the stitching is tired. I would replace with the tallest I could get - probably go for the sunbrella material as it breathes and is UV blocker.

transom tags - on mine are like yours, I think.
However - there may be hope.
My tags are readable if a take a flashlight and hold it off to the side of the marker tag and shine it at an angle perpendicular to the surface. Worked for me anyway.
Mine is an Alpha One.
-br