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Picked up boat from Dealer after being there for months over the winter (electrical issues, keypad issues, head unit issues, etc). They winterized it...ran it twice since then this spring and got the unmapped fn/SMi code that is for low coolant. I topped off the reseviour with 50/50 green coolant and it came back about 30 minutes later...now I seem to have coolant in the bilge..our boat doesnt have the heater option - before I risk taking it back to the dealer and have it be there for weeks or longer, where should I look first? I am hoping it is something simple that they would have done when they winterized it? Loose hose, connection etc? I looked and I could only see water lines..not even sure what I am looking for regarding coolant lines? TIA for any ideas
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Don't know the boat or the system but there are basics like a car you can check. The good news (or somewhat good news) is that you can see coolant in the bilge with a low level warning. If it wasn't going in the bilge it would be going through the engine. Since this is a closed cooling system like a car the places to look are going to be like a car. get yourself a very bright light and pull the side panels next to the engine. Start at the heat exchanger and start looking for any trace lines for where the antifreeze may be leaking. Pay close attention anywhere there's a seal or hose connection. Next follow the lines from the heat exchanger to the front of the engine again looks for trace line or antifreeze puddles in the bilge, you're going to end up at the water pump on the front of the engine. Look over the water pump very closely as when these go bad you'll typically see a leak at the pump bearing. Next start following the hoses from the pump to the thermostat and see if you see anything there.
The basics are that you're looking for a telltale sign of wet or dried antifreeze along any hose connection or seals. If you're loosing that much antifreeze and it's in the bilge you should be able to find the leak without having to run the boat. Without seeing the boat, that's about the best advice I can give you..... -
Thanks for the info..that helped. It ended up being a bad heat exchanger, which was replaced under warranty. Did get the boat back and it ran all weekend without a single error code, so we are making progress there. Not sure what we will do after June 2025, as the warranty will be up and there hasnt been a single summer where it hasnt been in the shop for weeks for repairs under warranty. Must of got one that was built up and wired on a Friday afternoon
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A lot of working gizmos and electronics on these newer boats these days. Add water and there are endless options to go wrong.
We've had our share of chasing rabbits but this Site has been a Blessing in caging those rabbits. It not limited to a "Nautique" thing, it is across the board between manufactures.
Our next stop is a new throttle base assembly that is starting to occasionally act up. I told my Wife it's in our Wish List, she said firmly, just order it. It will get ordered this week $600 bucks later, on top of the $800+ spare prop I just got, and I just had to ride a new wake board this year to go with the 2 new surf boards last year. Oh, and there is that hydrofoil that I have an eye on...
Maybe go with this mindset when out of warranty; I'm going to spend $1000 on the boat this year for repairs, maintenance, or accessories, it's in the budget. A Season without problems, throw it into the next year, because you are going to spend $2000, lol. You will be able to conquer most everything yourself if you can twist a screw driver, turn a wrench, and read a multi-meter from info gained here, we've all got each others backs. You got this!Comment
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Ordered, thanks for the PN Discount code!
Order Summary
Edit Cart 1 Item
1 x THROTTLE BASE ASSEMBLY
$580.00
Coupon Discount remove-$58.00PND
Shipping$20.02
Tax$0.00
Promo/Gift Certificate Total (USD)$542.02Comment
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Good point on setting aside a dollar amount for repairs each year if we keep the boat. A new one is not in the cards, as the prices have jumped to an insane level post Covid it seems...no thaving the boat at the Lake House isnt an option either, so more than likely, we are keeping it..otherwise dealing with the hassle of selling it and then buying something else used (inheriting someone else's problems). At least I know what has been replaced and fixed on this one!Originally posted by Scooter G View Post
Good luck and be safe out there!
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I work on a lot of boats for ski club, family, and friends, as well as my own boats. A mix of overall about 50/50 Nautique and MasterCraft. IMO the late model Nautique's are having significantly more issues than the same years of MasterCrafts. And it's not even close, very wide margin in my experience.
BTW, I expect to be repairing Thottle base assemblies soon...Comment
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Thanks JP, I'll sandbag my old one for you, I know you were dabbling in that arena a little.Comment
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