Heat exchange issue

[QuickMick]

Hey gang. ive got an A4, with fresh water cooling supplemented by a heat exchange unit. I noticed that there isnt any h20 venting with exhaust, and my bilge was taking on water. the heat exchange unit is under the starboard side lazz. and when i stuck my head in there and fired her up, the heat exchange is dumping h20 right out of the bottom. i managed to attempt to tighten the bottom nut to no avail, and am wondering if there is a seal in there that fails over time and needs replaced or if the thing might be shot. if its shot, should i replace or bypass?

thanks in advance,
Quinn

[BarryL]

Hello,

You need to find out why the heat exchanger (HX) is leaking and repair or replace it. You can't bypass it because your engine will overheat. Like an automobile engine, the engine is cooled by coolant circulated through the engine block. In a car, the coolant is circulated through a radiator, where it is cooled. In a boat a heat exchanger is used instead of a radiator. So if the heat exchanger is removed your engine will overheat.

It should not be difficult to remove the HX. There should be 4 hoses connected to it - raw water in and out, and engine coolant in and out. There will be method of mounting the HX to the engine, some just use hose clamps.

Remove the HX and see if you can determine why it's leaking. FYI, there is very little to a HX. You can probably remove the end caps and see inside. Lastly, the 'bolt' you referred to is probably the location of the zinc.

Good luck,
Barry

[QuickMick]

ty. well with any luck, a hose clamp just failed and can hose can be reattached... yet while hope springs eternal it doesnt pay the bills.
ie...
due to recent market activity and the high cost of electricity, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off... LOL....