Engine coolant coming out the propeller shaft

[Eugene Skrine]

I have a 2007 C-Ranger with a Yanmar 4jh4-the engine. When flushing antifreeze coolant this spring I noticed a fair amount of exhaust coolant pouring out of the stern end of the propeller shaft. Never saw this before. The port side exhaust outlet was functioning appropriately. I can’t figure where the leak is. Bilge and all the above water compartments were dry. I pulled the cabin heat exchanger it was dry. Is this one issue or two? Is there a crack in the exhaust? Does the shaft need to be repacked? Your help will be appreciated.

 

[knotflying]

Can you be more specific about: "When flushing antifreeze coolant this spring I noticed a fair amount of exhaust coolant pouring out of the stern end of the propeller shaft." Do you mean at the cutless bearing? When you were "flushing" was engine running with water going into the strainer? If so I can only think that the small hose that feeds your shaft seal was feeding the antifreeze mixture into the seal and then out the cutless. Hell, I am assuming you are referring to the RV antifreeze for winterization. We need more specific information otherwise it is all a guess.

 

[Eugene Skrine]

I have a 2007 C-Ranger with a Yanmar 4jh4-the engine. When flushing antifreeze coolant this spring I noticed a fair amount of exhaust coolant pouring out of the stern end of the propeller shaft. Never saw this before. The port side exhaust outlet was functioning appropriately. I can’t figure where the leak is. Bilge and all the above water compartments were dry. I pulled the cabin heat exchanger it was dry. Is this one issue or two? Is there a crack in the exhaust? Does the shaft need to be repacked? Your help will be appreciated.

. Sorry. Yes I was flushing out RV antifreeze on my boat that’s on a trailer undercover. I use a cut milk jug and a garden hose to run fresh water into the water hose that I disconnected from the saltwater intake. The engine was running and fresh water was sucked up into the strainer. In addition to the water coming out with the exhaust port there was approximately 1 quart a minute coming out the stern end of the propeller shaft. I can’t figure where the water is leaking from, bilge and compartments are dry.

 

[BB marine]

It is supposed to come out there. It is lubricant for the cutlass bearing and packing. It comes from a tee fitting before the exhaust elbow.

 

[Kevin Lamont]

I have a 2007 C-Ranger with a Yanmar 4jh4-the engine. When flushing antifreeze coolant this spring I noticed a fair amount of exhaust coolant pouring out of the stern end of the propeller shaft. Never saw this before. The port side exhaust outlet was functioning appropriately. I can’t figure where the leak is. Bilge and all the above water compartments were dry. I pulled the cabin heat exchanger it was dry. Is this one issue or two? Is there a crack in the exhaust? Does the shaft need to be repacked? Your help will be appreciated.

Hello,

Sounds like you saw the remnants of the RV antifreeze that was used for winterize. After the engine runs long enough it will flush out all the antifreeze and you will start to see water. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

 

[Eugene Skrine]

Yep. Thanks, did run it long enough to flush clear water and heat up the oil. Many thanks

 

[Eugene Skrine]

Thanks Brian. Guess I’m not the smartest barnacle on the piling.