2021 G23 Antifreeze leak

[Johnny_Rock]

Had the boat out twice. Second outing--bilge pump spit water out the side as we were heading in. Kid thought that the ballast pumps sounded weird as they finished draining. Looked underneath to see how much water was in there. And there was some antifreeze mixed in with the bilge water. Did not have any time to check anything except a visual on the translucent antifreeze reservoir. Don't really know what normal looks like--but seemed pretty full.

Mechanic buddy thinks there is "a leak somewhere on the closed cooling system. Most like a hose clamp vibrated loose."

Any Advice for me before I load and haul 2 hours to try have shop fix it?

[NautiqueJeff]

The ballast pumps will sound funny once the water is out and they are pumping air. No big deal, just don't run them too long that way.

The most common place for the coolant leak is the connection for the heater. Several of my G boats have had a leak there. Just tighten up the clamp and it should stop.

[Johnny_Rock]

Quote removed by Admin for not following the Guidelines for Quoting Previous Posts in a Thread.

Thanks for the quick reply Jeff!

[Johnny_Rock]

My mechanic buddy was on the lake w his family and (fortunately for me) stopped by for a quick look. We did not find anything in the engine compartment. So--like Jeff suggested--seems the leak might be at the heater core.

My friend did not have more time to investigate further. But he said in the meantime I can bypass the heater core; and he showed me two valves that he closed. This will allow us to run as normal--just without the heater? Is this accurate?

Heater core is under the driver pod? Take off the vinyl-covered panel on the side to access it?

TIA

[Johnny_Rock]

NautiqueJeff or greggmck Wondering if you two might be able to help with my questions in my previous post. Thanks!

[greggmck]

The heater core is behind the port bow passenger seatback. The seatback is fixed with the typical automotive Xmas tree fastners. Like these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040CZ3ZQ...p_mob_ap_share
It is best to use a pry tool to remove the seatback.
One like this: Lisle 35260 Plastic Fastener Remover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRCMO...AV9DT5AGV5MQXJ


But before you pull off the seatback check the two hoses coming off the water pump on the right side of the engine. One hose is red the other black. They are about 1" in diameter. These hoses are where I found a leak in one of my earlier Gs.

[Johnny_Rock]

Thanks for the reply. Heater core always been located there? Is my buddy correct about bypassing the heater w the two valves?

[greggmck]

I know of no other location for the heater core than behind the port bow seat on G boats.
I have never seen a shut off valve for the heater core on any G 2014 to 2023 so I am skeptical.
However, one could easily be installed in a section of the heater hose near the water pump.
But honestly my money is on a lose hose clamp in the engine area.

[Alan12]

We have a 2022 paragon and the same thing happened to us. It happened to be the filler neck connecter and clamp. They had to order a new one for us. I think they put some connecter/extension on the fill port for the cooling system and it was leaking. I clearly don’t have all the details but thought I would share to look for that. The overflow tank was full and then slowly drained down over a few days and I had to refill it….so wasn’t a major leak.

[Scooter G]

I agree with greggmck on the location and process of the core. Alan12 might be on to something.
Dude fix the leak, you have a nice boat, you'll want that heater going at some point in MN and you are going to have to deal with it eventually, right.
I say that out of kindess and respect you understand. Let us know what you track down, and good luck.

[Johnny_Rock]

Been out of town for a few days. First picture shows both locations of valves I mentioned in previous post. Second pic shows a better view of one of the valves; could not contort to get a better pic of the other. He is saying these valves isolate the heater and take it offline. If that is where the leak is--could deal with this at a more convenient time. Can anyone verify what these valves are?

Three closest dealers to me are 2-3 hours away so trying to minimize down time. Could live without the heater for awhile.

Happened to be near our selling dealer yesterday and stopped in. Staffer there also mentioned a possible issue with the tank. Was not too helpful with my questions about the valves. Suggested I just get it done under warranty. But that involves hauling it to a shop and losing out on use of the boat until they can get to it.

Appreciate any additional help on this.

[greggmck]

That last picture clearly shows a shut-off valve in front of the red hose (the hot feed from the water pump up to the heater core in the driver cockpit area). And in the picture it is CLOSED. So there should be no water flow thru the red heater hose. The first picture (left side circle) is the FCC (Fuel Control Cell). It has nothing to do with antifreeze. The red hose (heater feed line) runs under the circle to the far left). It makes no sense to have two shut-off valves in the red hose and I cant see anything other than the FCC and heater feed hose running through that circle. Bottom line: the shut off valve to the heater core is closed in the last picture. You should not have heat and you have isolated any leak to the engine compartment.

[Johnny_Rock]

Thanks greggmck for your quick reply (and all your other great work on this site.)

I should have been more clear: I meant that the circle on the left is the vicinity where the other valve is. It is behind what you are calling the Fuel Control Cell. Was not able to get a clear pic showing it. That hidden valve (in the pic) is the same as the one on the right.

So--just to be 100% clear--you are confirming what my mechanic buddy is saying that by closing those two valves he has closed the loop to the heater core. And that if the leak is on that run--we could now operate the boat per normal with the exception of no heat.

Thanks again for the help!

[greggmck]

The only thing I find confusing is that the heater is supplied by the red hose. The return hose is black and is next to the red hose in the last picture, both connected to the water pump. This is a basic loop up to, and back from the heater core. I don't understand why a second shut off valve is needed unless it is for a return to the pump so that closing the red hose does not result in too much backpressure on the pump. Look at the valves to see where the flow is diverted when closed? Are there any tee fittings near the second valve in the first picture that would allow water to flow back to the pump when closed? These valves were never on any boat I had but my 2021 was a very early Paragon.

[Johnny_Rock]

Thanks again for your help. When I have more time--I'll get a clear picture of the valve in question and post it. My friend thought both hoses were red. He couldn't see the entire run or the heater core--but did his best to look/feel under the floor to check them.