Coolant Loss......

[Dr D]

After talking w/ my mechanic last nite, I checked the fluids before heading out for a ride. The coolant was down significantly (barely visible...”before” starting. I topped it off, & went for a short ride. Shut down after 15min or so & went for a swim.
When I restarted the engine, I put it into reverse, and got a small, brief white cloud from the engine.
Not sure what the deal is. I’ve been topping it off before each use, but it seems to be regularly losing coolant....sometimes more than others.
Having said all this, the Temp seems to stay even.....max 175’. & the engine is running fine.
I just don’t want to risk damaging the engine or let the issue go unchecked.
Any ideas or suggestions ???
Thanks,

(motor is a 470 MerCruiser, w/ a 165hp engine. I know there are alot of mixed feelings about this engine, & the cooling system in particular, but it has been, & continues to run very smoothly, just losing small amounts of coolant)
*One article I read suggests the possibility of a small leak in the exhaust manifold gasket??? (I had a new impellar, & exhaust manifold gasket installed in June)

 

[JediJD]

Others will chime in, but white smoke out the exhaust is one of the symptoms of coolant in the combustion chamber...which could be a crack in a component or a gasket leak. I suppose miracles happen, but I've never seen one fix itself, and entropy is a bit&%. Sounds like time to pull the plugs and do compression and leak down to determine the extent of the problem...but if there is no coolant in the bilge, and white smoke coming out the initial exhaust...the question is whether you get it first or it gets you.

 

[Dr D]

Jed,
Thanks for the reply.....There's no coolant in the bilge, or white smoke in the initial exhaust. I'll check the compression.
I'm not a mechanic, but from the reading I've been doing, it seems that there may be a gasket that's been damaged. It "has not" been overheating !

 

[Bob & Sue]

Others will chime in, but white smoke out the exhaust is one of the symptoms of coolant in the combustion chamber...which could be a crack in a component or a gasket leak. I suppose miracles happen, but I've never seen one fix itself, and entropy is a bit&%. Sounds like time to pull the plugs and do compression and leak down to determine the extent of the problem...but if there is no coolant in the bilge, and white smoke coming out the initial exhaust...the question is whether you get it first or it gets you.

I agree you need to pull the plugs at least and check them for discoloration and moisture if none do a compression check and leak down. White smoke is almost always moisture in a cylinder.

 

[Dr D]

Bob & Sue....Thanks !