Westerbeke 4.5kw Gen losing coolant

[AllTideUp]

Hey all,

So have an interesting problem that developed near the end of the season this year. My Westerbeke 4.5kw Gen is slowly losing coolent somewhere. It does not appear to be leaking out of any hoses/fittings as I don't see any coolant in the bildge, however when I'm running the gen over night I find that the next day the coolant overflow bottle lost about half what was originally there. Since this is on an 2001 340DA, I was figuring it may be the heat exchanger leaking the coolant into the raw water.

Are my conclusions sound? Could I be losing the coolant elsewhere? I hooked up a coolant pressure test gauge and put (i think as thsi was end of summer) 10 psi on the system and it did slowly lose pressure over a couple of minutes.

Are there any other areas I should be checking on first as I'm sure a replacement heat exchanger will be costly?

Thanks!

Jay

 

[Boater420]

That would be my first guess, coolant leaking into raw water. I'd pull the heat exchanger and take it to a radiator shop for testing.

 

[Stee6043]

You're looking at a boat buck for a DIY replacement ($900 +/-). If you could find a shop that could repair it you'd likely be hundreds ahead.

I bet that'll be a treat to replace from a logistics standpoint. I seem to recall that bugger being in a really convenience spot (sarcasm)...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Part No. Mfr No. Material Westerbeke Sen-Dure OEM Unit Leaves Warehouse* List Price
Your Price
Qty.
Westerbeke Dual Oil Cooler, D29-13-16
204509 D29-13-16



Each 1 Week $317.90
$293.54


Westerbeke Heat Exchanger 2" X 17" W/ Mounts (Copper/Bronze)
479408 46578 Copper / Bronze


Each 1 Week $457.00
$336.40


Westerbeke Heat Exchanger, Direct Replacement, 24308CN Copper Nickel
162032 24308CN Copper Nickel 24308 -- 24308 Each 1 Week $612.00
$450.50


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger
89755 15799-15 Copper / Bronze 15799-15

Each 1 Week $441.53
$432.15


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, 13"
488759 15799-13 Copper / Bronze 15799-13 na na Each 1 Week $429.27
$396.37


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, 3" Dia x 16-1/4" l; fit 8.0 BTDA w/ mnts CuNi, 45374 CN
203144 45374 CN Copper / Nickel


Each 1 Week $613.00
$451.24


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, 3" Dia x 16-1/4" long; fit 8.0 BTDA w/ mounts, 45528
203145 45528



Each 1 Week $522.00
$384.25


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, 4-230
204508 4-230
4-230

Each 1 Week $494.84
$448.46


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, CuNi, 38147CN
204107 38147CN Copper / Nickel 38147

Each 1 Week $608.00
$447.56


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, Gen Set 3" Dia x 16" long w/ mounts CuNi, 36903CN
89896 36903CN Copper / Nickel 36903

Each 1 Week $608.00
$447.56


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, Gen Set 3" Dia x 16" long w/ mounts, 36903
89889 36903 Copper / Bronze 36903

Each 1 Week $515.00
$379.10


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, Gen Set w/ mounts CuNi, 35135CN
111764 35135CN Copper / Nickel 35135

Each 1 Week $608.00
$447.56


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, Gen Set, 24774
97978 24774

24774 NA001406 Each 1 Week $515.00
$379.10


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, Gen Set, 24774CN
484291 24774CN Copper / Nickel 24774

Each 1 Week $608.00
$447.56


Westerbeke, Heat Exchanger, with Mounts, Copper
204382 038300



Each 1 Week $571.00
$420.32


Westerbeke, Heat Exchanger, with Mounts, Copper-Nickel
422348 038300CN Copper / Nickel


Each 1 Week $506.94
$468.09


Westerbeke Replacement Heat Exchanger, 37772CN
488650 37772CN Copper / Nickel


Each 1 Week $641.00
$471.85

 

[AllTideUp]

I was actually just looking them up and they aren't as bad as I thought they were. $3-400 for a replacement. Getting to the bolts that attach them to the gen will be a joy =/ I don't think the Zinc in this gen was replaced in a while as you can't get the new one in without moving the entire exchanger as there isn't enough clearance with the floor of the bilge. Guess I should take a warm day this winter and go down and remove it to see what the damage is.

 

[Stee6043]

Weird. I checked on Westerbeke and saw $847 plus tax, shipping. Hmmm...