Coolant leaking onto plugs

[boater2065]

Hi all. Engine is a merc 5.7 efi with closed cooling. I've noticed a bit of the green antifreeze dripping into the bilge lately so i started to look around closer. On the port side i noticed a few drips on the boot of the spark plug. Using my camera i can see a small puddle of the AF on the bottom side of the manifold that must be dripping onto the plug, then eventually dripping down into the bilge. Has anyone seen this before? Could the manifold have a crack?

 

[Siboatguy]

looks to me could be a manifold gasket...

 

[garybly]

It could be a crack as nothing but exhaust goes through the gasket in view, if nothing above the manifold is leaking I think your assumption of a crack is true

 

[scoflaw]

Manifold has to come off either way, should be obvious then

 

[boater2065]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

 

[ttmott]

Could also be leaking at the thermostat housing to intake manifold gasket.

 

[Brite Idea]

If it's the manifold leaking on the outside it's probably leaking on the inside. It's always been said that FWC manifolds last as long as the engine but that's not true due to heat cycles. My rule of thumb is ten years on FWC manifolds and the usual five years on Elbows/risers.

 

[boater2065]

Appreciate all the thoughts and ideas. I went around and tightened up all the hoses coming off the radiator and then gave it an hour of use. After letting it sit, there were no visible signs of leaking like in the photos i posted. So i'm hoping it was as simple as that. The manifolds, risers and elbows were all replaced 2.5 years ago so i'm hoping they still have integrity and i was just dealing with a loose hose clamp. I'll be keeping an eye on it

 

[Pirate Lady]

2.5 years, Your mans and risers be fine unless you did an ocean crossing last year.