I have a five year old BZ482 with a leak at the heat exchange end cap and anode. At first, I thought I just needed to replace the nitrile o rings for the tube stack. But after a closer look, the leak is coming from the sleeve pressed into the heat exchanger tank that the tube stack slides into. I thought that the weld on the sleeve might have failed, but the aluminum sleeve isn't welded on the outside, it is covered in a cheap looking brittle epoxy that just chips off. There is no signs of pitting or corrosion anywhere, it just looks like the pressed seal is leaking through the epoxy bedding. Is there a solution for this problem?
Bob is no longer here. He has a company in Norfolk VA and sells and installs marine electronics.
We had this model of heat exchanger tank for about eighteen months before the construction was changed. The company that made these tanks for Beta Marine doesn't do so any longer and the new spec tanks are completely trouble free.
The good news is that the fix is really simple and easy and cheap. 1st: drain the coolant to below the level of the tube 2nd: use a wire brush to clean the area around the sleeve and the outside of the manifold tank 3rd: I use epoxy plastic steel that I get from the local auto parts store. This is the same stuff that the radiator repair shops use to repair modern plastic and aluminum radiators. This is available in small tubes with the hardner and body separate for about $5 to $6. Mix up a small amount and work it around the edge of the tube and seal the tube to the tank body. When this has cures a bit of red paint and you will be fine.
Regards, Stanley
-- Edited by Stanley on Wednesday 1st of December 2010 05:24:26 PM
Thank you for the quick response. The solution that you posted sounds a lot like a "band aid" rather then a complete fix. The adhesion and thermal properties of steel epoxy will most likely lead to future leaks. I can think of nothing worst then to be hundreds of miles off shore and have to worry about future leaking and engine overheating problems. Your solution is exactly what failed in the first place. What is the cost of obtaining a properly designed tank? What was the modification made to repair the problem? Maybe I can remove the tank and have the work done myself.
The sleeve in the affected tanks is epoxied in. The failure rate has been about 3% which is too much. The newer tanks have the sleeve welded in on the inside before the end plates are welded to the tank body.
What you call a band aid actually works properly if you do the repair properly. As I said in my earlier response, this is the official radiator repair the auto industry uses. In addition, if you have a fibreglass boat, remember that it really is nothing besides a ****tail of chemicals. Seriously, this repair does work.
We also have all replacement parts in stock if you decide to go that route, please call us or email. We do not publish or discuss any pricing in this forum.
just ran into the west coast beta marine rep, he has also dealt with the same problem. he said that he has had the sleeves spin free just trying to tighten the end caps and he comes to the same conclusion as I about your solution. decided to have the local yanmar dealer weld the sleeves and machine them to make sure they are true after the warping from the welding heat. cost about $450 which is much less then what he quoted for a new properly constructed tank. plus they will perform a leak test to make sure the work was done correctly.. thanks for all the help.
Hello, I possess a betamarine 16 of 2005 and my heat exchanger(interchange) loses the cooling liquid because of a problem of waterproofness of the cartridge which receives the beam of tubes. Have you a solution other than the putty and which is the cost a heat exchanger(interchange) in exchange standard. Thank you
We can provide a replacement tank at very special pricing. However I make it a point not to publish any pricing on the forum as the forum should remain a source for knowledge and research. Please email me directly stan@betamarinenc.com
