480 CE Coolant leak - not a hose - Cummins Marine Forum

This topic has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 11 months ago by William Walter.

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February 15, 2023 at 12:33 pm #142849

Michael
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Think I finally found source of coolant leak on 2005 480 CE. My question…if coolant leak source is the coolant pump, is it safe to go home 700 miles as long as I keep coolant topped off? Or is leak likely to get much worse? Leak is about 1/2 pint an hour. Once home, I can get my local mechanic to do the repair. <br /><br />

I put paper towels around hose just above circled area leak and they are dry, so leak is not coming from hose above. Local mechanic said he thought coolant pump is leaking and that coolant is wicking down the seam to point that I see it appear.

Thanks,

Mike
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June 3, 2023 at 3:56 pm #149516

William Walter
Participant
Vessel Name: Positive rate
Engines: Cummings 480ce
Location: Long island
Country: Usa

Coolant leak

So before I started into changing my fresh water pump I sprayed the front end with wd .the squeal went away and stayed away after running for a while.This led me back to maybe a hose . I wrapped all the hoses in the area in paper to see if any blue antifreeze shows up.If nothing shows up there I’ll try to get something under the fresh water pump.This may be hard to do due to access.Any other suggestions appreciated.Bill

June 2, 2023 at 9:07 am #149473

William Walter
Participant
Vessel Name: Positive rate
Engines: Cummings 480ce
Location: Long island
Country: Usa

Coolant leak 480ce

Ever since I changed my hoses last year I’ve had a coolant leak on my stbd engine. I thought it was a hose connection but today after changing fuel filters and running the stbd engine I noticed a squeal from the front of stbd engine. So I suspected the water pump as a possible source. I researched on the website and found this thread.Tony answered my first thought about the leak possibility. Would a failing pump also be the source of the squeal. I imagine it’s an anti freeze drain and a few bolts to change that pump.Thanks Bill

February 18, 2023 at 9:52 am #143003

Tony Athens
Moderator
Vessel Name: Local Banks
Engines: QSB 6.7 550 HP
Location: Oxnard, CA
Country: USA

Actually the “weep” hole is on the pump side.. The later version pumps made the weep hole much smaller and they clog (Drilled round) –Another couch engineer at work

February 17, 2023 at 9:01 am #142967

lpmcc
Participant

Pic of Hole

Tony, Thanks, I know that weep hole. This is what I’m talking about….

February 17, 2023 at 7:19 am #142964

Tony Athens
Moderator
Vessel Name: Local Banks
Engines: QSB 6.7 550 HP
Location: Oxnard, CA
Country: USA

That is there to let any coolant leaking past the seal out so you know the mechanical seal may be leaking.. It is normal to “see” a drop once in a while — Like every 50-100 hours ?.. Some type “tell-tale” leak hole is common in all water pump designs

February 17, 2023 at 5:09 am #142957

lpmcc
Participant

Tony,

You don’t see it in your pics, but on my 6CTA, there is a small half-moon opening under the pump flange/body. It seems that if the pump leaked, water would find its way into this opening and into the engine diluting the oil. Can you comment?

(Sorry to hijack)

Larry

February 16, 2023 at 6:58 pm #142939

Tony Athens
Moderator
Vessel Name: Local Banks
Engines: QSB 6.7 550 HP
Location: Oxnard, CA
Country: USA

6CTA 8.3 Coolant Pump

Picture attached

February 16, 2023 at 2:03 pm #142928

Michael
Participant

Pump to be replaced is the fresh water pump, so no impeller.

Thanks

Mike

February 16, 2023 at 10:59 am #142917

Todd
Participant

Sounds like the smart move. Do you have a spare impeller?

February 16, 2023 at 10:06 am #142914

Michael
Participant

I am learning. Was told once pump starts to leak it is only a matter of time before it will fail.

Got a replacement pump today and plan to replace defective one on Monday.
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