Antifreeze in ski Locker

[Nova10502]

I have a 2016 Scarab 165. Had service they said they added antifreeze. I've been finding antifreeze in my ski Locker. Went out twice used Shop-Vac and took out at least a gallon of antifreeze each time. Could this be normal out of an overflow. The boat does not run hot when being used and the reservoir is within limits. Any ideas

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Antifreeze in the ski locker has a few potential causes:

1. It was overfilled. Reduce amount next time it's filled.
2. You have a leak. Check all coolant plumbing clamps and hoses. Clamps have a habit of getting loose over time due to vibrations, thermal changes, etc.
3. The cap isn't on properly. Verify the cap is correctly installed.

Are you sure it's all antifreeze and not water in the boat + some antifreeze mixed in? That seems like a lot of antifreeze. The system doesn't take that much antifreeze and if you lost a gallon, you'd be empty.

When filling the system from empty, all air has to be purged. Typically this means having a buddy pour the coolant in and when it starts coming out at the ride plate, put the plug back in. Then fill up to max fill line. Then run the engine a bit, verify levels and top up as needed.

After going out for the first time after a major refill, it's a good idea to bring some along and to verify the levels a few times. The coolant system can burp more air out of there (normal). The dealer ideally should be making sure of this.

 

[Nova10502]

I have a 2016 Scarab 165. Had service they said they added antifreeze. I've been finding antifreeze in my ski Locker. Went out twice used Shop-Vac and took out at least a gallon of antifreeze each time. Could this be normal out of an overflow. The boat does not run hot when being used and the reservoir is within limits. Any ideas

 

[Nova10502]

Thanks so much for your quick reply. It is the strangest thing. I know there is no way there is that much antifreeze in the engine. And I can't see where it's coming from the engine compartment has no antifreeze in it. When I put the trailer on a slight slope that's when the ski components gets it

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Definitely coming from your cooling system. No other source. It's getting there because of a slight forward tilt. Check all coolant lines first. That's a pretty likely culprit. Tug on hoses a bit and jiggle them. Check all clamps to ensure they are snug. That's the most likely source.

 

[Nova10502]

Thanks I'm going to go double-check all those hoses now. Baffles me that the antifreeze Reservoir still says I have enough antifreeze

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

It's a little odd. Possible you have air in there and so it appears full. But just speculating. How much time has the engine run since it's refill at the dealer?

 

[Nova10502]

Maybe 3 hours

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Ok air burps should be gone. Concentrate on hoses for sure.

 

[Nova10502]

Went through all the hoses. Hope this was the problem. Thanks for your time and help

 

[Luc Lafreniere]

Hopefully! Report back either way.