PCM rz409 question

[Bharrison]

2007 CorrectCraft Nautique 236; new PCM zr409 engine
Please excuse my ignorance as I am not boat or mechanically inclined. Could someone please tell me the purpose of the red hose at the bottom of the picture that's coming off the T and should the valve be closed or open for normal operation? Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

That's the hose to your heater. You can leave the valve open unless there is a leak at the heater core.

By the way, you might want to add some coolant. Looks like your expansion tank is empty.

[Bharrison]

Thanks for the info. The expansion tank is one of the things I'm working through. My son had just topped it off last weekend and it leaked into the bilge despite sitting on the lift and not running. I tried to find evidence of leaks and couldn't see any. I tightened one connection and refilled it after this picture. I'll check the level again when I'm back down there. The coolant level was a little problem last season (our first year of having the boat).

My son put the boat on the water last weekend after winterization and didn't open up the fresh water intake valve. Thankfully they only idled across the cove from the ramp to the dock. After it overheated, they discovered the closed valve. They opened the valve but still no fresh water to the strainer. I have a new impeller ordered and hope that is the only problem. Fingers crossed. The engine was brand new when I bought it in 9/2021.

[Interjon]

Oh man, such an easy mistake to make. Sorry to hear. Let us know how it turns out.