Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Crusader 7.4 loosing coolant

B

bullet_bob

New member
I have twin 1996 Crusader 7.4L TBI engines on my Trojan 350 express. This summer I discovered that after each trip I noticed coolant in the bilge and the expansion reservior on the back of the heat exchanger is full to the top. I pump out the bilge, I empty the expansion reservior and refil the coolant at the goose neck on the engine. However, there is always more coolant in the bilge and in the expansion tank than I replace with new coolant, so I suspect that some of what I'm emptying from the bilge and expansion tank is mixed with sea water.

Any suggestions where I should begin to look for the problem. I have replaced the thermostat, checked for hose leaks, and verified that the tubes in the heat exchanger are clear.

Any advise would be appreciated. My coolant budget is fast approaching my fule budget.
 
Assuming this happens with both engines and they aren't overheating, check the caps on top the heat exchangers. I doubt seawater is replacing your coolant just due to the thermodynamics of the cooling system.

You may also want to discreetly check your local ordances regarding bilge pumping with coolant down there....I'd guess that fine would exceed both budgets, combined.
 
Head on over to an auto parts store and Purchase/rent a coolant system pressure tester. Pump the cooling system up to the rating of the pressure cap on the heat exchanger and see if it holds pressure. Do this with the engine cold and hot.

Post your results.
 
Auto Zone can lend you the tester.

Jeff

PS: There three places coolant can go: Into the raw water system (leak in the exchanger), out the cap (leaking), or into the motor (bad head gasket). Let's hope it's not the latter!
 
Back
Top