Engine Coolant in Bilge after Winter
 

Looking for some help. I have a 2003 496 Mag with closed water cooling. Just got it out of storage and the Coolant Reservoir is empty and all the coolant is in the bilge. I just filled itback up with coolant and put 17psi of pressure on it for 1/2 hour and no leaks or drop in pressure. Everything seems good. Any ideas where I should check? Thanks, Vonny

The grommets/seals that the heat exchanger slides down into is a common leak area that tend to leak more when its cold.

Welcome to the site.
Probably grommet 14 in this picture.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Me...TEM/parts.html

Feel free to use the OSO search function. There are at least 12 threads on this very topic; like this one:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ant-bilge.html


Also, if you are still running the original antifreeze, you do not know it's age, or if it is starting to turn dark/metallic in color vs. pink; it's time to flush and replace. It's only good for 6-7 seasons/years tops; less with high use.

Thanks Brian and Sydwayz. I can tell that it was leaking around the grommet. I will get replaced before next storage time. This site is great because of members like yourselves! Thanks Again!

You will want to replace it now before the season. If it's leaking while sitting, it's DEFINITELY going to leak under pressure while running.

Agree with both above exactly and they need to be replaced as Brian T said. Its somewhat a common problem with this app.