Changing oil, filters, and so on at the end of our season, I noticed what appears to be residue from a coolant leak at the coolant pump shaft on my Beta 38 WOC K35616. I have not noticed any appreciable lowering of the coolant level, which is easy to monitor since I pump in an external reservoir tank at the beginning of the season.
Am I interpreting the symptom correctly? What might be the cause (checked and the belt deflect 1/2" in the center of the long run under thumb pressure, which I think is the target)? What will I need to fix it?
That residue has the appearance of water and oil mixed.
When you changed the oil, did the oil appear normal?
Is the coolant normal as well?
What type of coolant are you using?
Oil looked completely normal; no milkiness or signs of emulsion.
Coolant also looks normal and has remained at the normal level in the external coolant reservoir added before this season; no evidence of coolant loss.
Coolant is likely the last I had of some Volvo-Penta coolant for old engine (which I had earlier asked about here and been told OK to use), mixed 1/2 with water.
Though I am rarely watching the engine while running, I did do a fair amount of that at the beginning of the season while getting the Balmar regular/brush box setup working. I never noticed any coolant or anything else dripping or running out of this area so, though I guess I could have missed it earlier, it seems new to me.
Though put away in the yard for the winter now, maybe I just try to clean this area off at the start of next season and see if anything reappears? Anything else to check?
It appears that there has been some coolant leak from the fresh water pump witness hole and this will warrant watching next season.
I am at a loss to explain the oil however unless that this may have been the result of some spillage.
