Heater System - Bilge Runs More Often

[andymckinley]

Where is the heater core in an 2008 AirNautique 211? I think mine might be leaking/cracked as there is moisture in my heater tubes and my bilge runs more often than usual.

[charlesml3]

I believe it's in the compartment behind the driver's seat.

-Charles

[andymckinley]

Thank you charlesml3. Behind the driver's seat is another seat (typical v-drive layout). I took the main floor panel out yesterday and then the kick plate (which has the fuses mounted to it). Not in either of those locations. I also have pull out heater tubes. From looking at the owner's manual diagram, reading posts, and following the heater tubs as best I can, I think it might be in front of the driver's seat or below the throttle on the starboard side. So far I can not figure out how to access. Would pictures help?

[nhbouch]

Grabbed this pic from the 2008 Brochure - so it's a little fuzzy. But Charles is correct - it is directly behind the driver seat. On my 2007 there is a "trash can" / netted area there. Remove that "trash can / netted area - there should be some screws and you should have access to the heater core. As you can see in the pic - the blower hose is circled and the heater core is in that space. It's behind the drivers seat and in front of the seat with the cooler - there's a small space to fit the heater.

[andymckinley]

Thank you nhbouch. I will check that out tomorrow evening. I definitely have the same layout as in the picture and I also have the trash can / netted area (aka my ski glove holder).

[charlesml3]

Yep. Same place as the SV-211.

[andymckinley]

Spent 30 minutes at lunch and found the following. Charlesml3 and nhbouch are correct (thank you) as this is where the heater ducts route to. In the pics you can see that the heat exchanger is leaking. The 4th pic is after driving for 5 minutes at 30 mph and the water was very hot.

Later tonight or tomorrow I am going to take the heat exchanger out and assess. Is this broken if it is leaking or is possible that I just need to seal it?

[nhbouch]

Likely it wasn't winterized properly and froze and now you have leaking heater core - those fins are very thin and doesn't take much to crack them, I don't think you'll be able to seal it as you mentioned. Likely you'll need to replace the heater core - assuming your fan still operates, should be an easy fix. Nautiqueparts i'm sure has a few in stock.

[andymckinley]

I take it to Silver Spray in Fenton, MI for winterizing (where I bought it). They are one of the largest sellers of Nautique's in the country. I would be very surprised (disappointed) if it was not winterized properly. I have seen other posts that say this is an issue with heater cores. Should I call them and ask or is this to be expected with a 12 year old boat (515 hours)? Heading out now to remove over lunch.

[James]

I don’t think it is unusual for the heater to develop a leak after 12 years of use. Some last longer, some not so long. I assume your boat does not have closed cool and therefore the concentration and type of minerals in your lake water will contribute to failure. I have a 2006 216 and I changed the heater core after around 10 years with the original heater craft core as preventative maintenance. There are many threads on this site where owners use less expensive aftermarket cores from local auto parts stores that require a little modification to the housing. The replacement is generally straight forward.

[charlesml3]

Yep, it almost for sure froze. The metal in those is VERY thin (it has to be) and if any water gets left in there it'll freeze and split it. Unless the mechanic knew or looked, winterizing the heater was probably forgotten. Happens all the time.

When you get the core out, sorta stick a water hose over one port and hold your thumb over the other. I bet you'll spot the leak right away. If so, just replace the core. They aren't that expensive.

-Charles

[andymckinley]

[andymckinley]

Is this the part?

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...es-no-wrapper/

[kylant]

heater cores crack. i replaced mine 2-3 times in my 2000 Nautique. and yes it was winterized correctly with all water blown out every year

[mpost]

Is this the part?

https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...es-no-wrapper/

Check the model number of your heater. Should be stamped on the case somewhere.