Coolant Leak

[Markl]

How are the coolant lines accessed that supply the water heater on a 2011 25 foot Ranger Tug? I suspect a leak at that spot but can't seem to access the area short of removing the tank completely. Removing the tank would require removal of both potable water lines, drain line, and electrical connections. Not sure if there is enough slack on the coolant lines to allow me to pull the heater out.
I seem to be losing a cup or so of coolant every 3 to 4 days of operation. Manageable until it gets worse so I'd like to get this repaired.
Thanks
Mark

 

[TBates]

Hi Mark, you can inspect the hot water heater coolant hose connections by removing the starboard panel beneath the head sink and looking aft. There may also be a small inspection plate in that same area which would also need removed. If unable to gain access that way, you'll need to remove the potable water lines and wiring to slide the whole water heater aft as you described below. If the coolant lines don't appear to be leaking, you'll want to inspect the cabin heater as this has a couple coolant hoses connected as well.

Hope this helps.

-Tim

 

[dclagett]

Mark,

You might want to check the connection under the oil dip stick. There are 2 brass fittings there that make a 90 degree elbow. Mine leaks where the fittings come together, however trying to get wrenches on the fittings are next to impossible. I may need to have a wrench or two made in order to attempt tightening the fittings. I only loose a couple ounces every 50 hours so it is not a priority, but a concern. I have heard other 25SCs have also had a leak in the same place.

Richard

 

[stwendl]

When I added my Webasto tsl17 diesel heater I separated the coolant between the engine and the water/cabin heater with a heat exchanger. Webasto highly recommended not to have the fluid circuits as one. If I have a leak in the heating at least I won’t loose cooling in the engine. Yes there are valves to separate the circuits, but I opted to follow the Webasto recommendations

 

[knotflying]

Before you go crazy checking the hot water heater lines, check the cabin heater under the helm. Those connections tend to loosen up and need tightening. I found on my 27 the connections for the water heater can be felt, but not necessarily visible. You can get in there and blindly thighten the clamps. As an annual periodic maintenance I check and tighten all clamp fittings.

 

[Markl]

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions.
I have checked thoroughly in the engine compartment and no leaks found. I have also removed the cabin heater and no sign of leaking there either. I see coolant in the under floor storage aft of the water heater.
Yesterday I found the access under the head sink and was able to snap some pictures as I can't really get my head in there for a look. Didn't see a lot in there other than a small stain running down from one of the lines to the water heater. I suspect most of the dripping is inside the outer case of the heater into the insulation and then some how it finds it's way aft. I can get my hand in far enough to feel the connections but not sure I will be able to get a wrench or socket in there. Might give it a try today. I have some concern over tightening the connector and damaging the hose if that isn't already the case.
I can see now that if I go the route of removing the tank I might have to disconnect a line at the cabin heater and at the engine to allow the heater to be slid out aft. This seems like a daunting task.
Mark

 

[dclagett]

Mark,

While you continue to look/fix the problem there is a valve mounted opposit the port side of the engine that will shutoff the coolant to the cabin heater. This should allow you to use the boat without concern of the leak becoming greater and loosing significant coolant while operating the boat.

Richard

 

[Markl]

[quote)

While you continue to look/fix the problem there is a valve mounted opposit the port side of the engine that will shutoff the coolant to the cabin heater. This should allow you to use the boat without concern of the leak becoming greater and loosing significant coolant while operating the boat.

Richard[/quote]

Thanks Richard. I will have a look for this valve. It would be nice to be able to shut the cabin heater off some days. In the mean time I have ordered one of those cheap snake camera's that wifi's to my phone from Amazon. Hopefully I can get a better look with it.
Mark