Water leak

J

John pettinato

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May 12, 2025
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9
Hello,
I recently restored a 1987 Searay with a Mercruser 3.0L motor. Changed bellows and all related rubber on the stern drive as well as humble bearing and water pump. We put in the water for the first time since 2004. Motor runs solid and comes up on plain fine. While sitting idle I notice bilge pump come on about once every thirty minutes while sitting at the dock. Wondering where I should start looking for water leak? I was thinking of filling the bilge with water and see if I could locate the issue. Any advise would be appreciated.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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John pettinato said:
Hello,
I recently restored a 1987 Searay with a Mercruser 3.0L motor. Changed bellows and all related rubber on the stern drive as well as humble bearing and water pump. We put in the water for the first time since 2004. Motor runs solid and comes up on plain fine. While sitting idle I notice bilge pump come on about once every thirty minutes while sitting at the dock. Wondering where I should start looking for water leak? I was thinking of filling the bilge with water and see if I could locate the issue. Any advise would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Ayuh,..... Yes, you should find, 'n fix the leak, though it's better to find it, at rest, in the water,....
A camera in yer hand, can help you see, where yer head don't fit,....
 
nola mike

nola mike

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John pettinato said:
I was thinking of filling the bilge with water and see if I could locate the issue. Any advise would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Don't do that.

First thing to check is the condition of the bellows. If it's been sitting since '04 they're at least 20+ years old and likely a good bit older.
Has it been stored outside or inside?
Does it happen while sitting in the water, engine off?
How about out of the water on muffs?
 
C

cyclops222

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That is a lot of water coming from something. Drain Plug leaking ? Or 20 year old rubber failing.
Do not fill a boat with water. Keep it out of the boat.
 
Kola16

Kola16

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You said you changed the bellows and all related rubber so I would start your search there. Clean and dry your bilge before you launch. Launch and tie the boat to the dock. As soon as you put the boat in the water, watch for the water to come in and follow the initial stream of water to the source. If no water comes in, start the engine and see if water starts to come in.

If there are holes in the hull, you should have noticed water coming out of that hole when you put it on the trailer. A bilge pump coming on every 30 minutes is roughly an 1/8" size hole I would guess. It should be noticeable.
I guess before you head out, with the boat on the trailer, walk around the entire boat from the outside to look for open drill holes or open screw (obvious, but quick and easy).
 
Scott06

Scott06

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I would think hose clamps on cooling system, exhaust pipe to transom housing, transom seal (housing to hull) , core plug in engine
 
J

John pettinato

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Joined
May 12, 2025
Messages
9
nola mike said:
Don't do that.

First thing to check is the condition of the bellows. If it's been sitting since '04 they're at least 20+ years old and likely a good bit older.
Has it been stored outside or inside?
Does it happen while sitting in the water, engine off?
How about out of the water on muffs?
Click to expand...
I stated I changed all rubber
 
tpenfield

tpenfield

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The thing about leaks is you have to look for them. Lots of places to look as have been described. Use your cell phone as needed to see where your eyes can't reach.
 
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