[C320-list] Perkins Engine Leak - little help needed

[Rod Boer]

Christian,

I am sorry for the late reply.  On my Yanmar the tank for the over flow of the coolant has a line molded in it that is about 1/2 inch from the bottom. That is the maximum that is allowed when the engine is at ambient temperature.  The purpose of the tank is to hold the coolant that comes up the tube when the engine gets up to temperature. When the engine temperature cools down the coolant returns to the engine.  It think that the bottle is probably there to handle the expansion of the coolant. Your engine may be different but I still think it needs storage for expansion of the coolant.

Rod Boer
Odyssey, #688 

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Christian
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2018 10:31 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Perkins Engine Leak - little help needed

I too had this happen at the start of the season when I filled both the tank and the reservoir.  Next time out, found about a quart in the engine sump, and reservoir empty.  Puzzled, topped off the reservoir, no more leaked.  We'd had a big temp swing in the time period (can't remember if it was hot to cold or cold to hot), so I just chalked it up to that.  I'm with a M30 too.

Christian Caperton
1994 C320 "Canuck" #138
Chicago, IL, Monroe Harbor

On Thu, Aug 16, 2018 at 9:24 AM Scott Lagerquist <lgrqst at aol.com> wrote:

> Warren,
>
> Assuming you have the Perkins M30 as I do in hull no. 39 I get the 
> same things when I fill the coolant in the engine and the reservoir.  
> The leak only occurs after running the engine.  Might not be the most 
> acceptable answer however, once that quart leaks out it doesn’t leak 
> anymore unless I refill the reservoir and engine coolant again.  I 
> stopped refilling and it doesn’t leak anymore.  I check the coolant 
> often and it stays just below full but an acceptable level.  
> Especially considering there is coolant in the reservoir if the engine needs it.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> Nice article on electronics upgrades in the Main Sheet!  I did a very 
> similar upgrade this past winter and am very happy with the new system.
>
> Cheers and good luck with the coolant.  If you find a better solution 
> than mine please post.
>
> Scott Lagerquist
> Cat 320, #39
> Sea Esta
> Sand Diego CA
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Aug 16, 2018, at 7:01 AM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Now, is my turn. Doing some light maintenance and noticed some 
> > fluid,
> maybe pint, collected in engine sump. It's light color, but has oily 
> feel on fingers; and, has some dirt mixed in like it came from overflow bottle.
> Maybe coolant? I check heat-ex and it is full. Cap is new so don't 
> suspect that. Check coolant overflow bottle and it is empty (always at 
> "cool" line when cold.) Took bottle home and filled w/water left overnight...no leak.
> Hose connection from heat-ex seems tight with small screw clamp. No 
> obvious coolant leaking on the engine or around the heat-ex.
> > How could coolant leak to sump with no obvious source?
> >
> > Warren and Pattie Updike
> > 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
> > Middle River, MD (Chesapeake Bay)
> >
> >
>
>