Water in bilge

Captain Caveman

Captain Caveman

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
1,027
Wave34 said:
Hi,
when I go boating for a week end, sleeping at anchor, and take the boat out, there is about 2 gallon of water draining from the plug at the boat ramp.

When anchored, I checked in the bilge, and the only signs of water intrusion I saw was a drop every 20 seconds from under the steering arm, and the same under the exhaust, from a small hole in a bracket.

I don't think that little leak would fill the bilge that much.
Click to expand...
I did a quick internet search, and this is the AI response for how fast a water drip can accumulate:
  • Typical drip: A faucet dripping at a rate of 10 drips per minute wastes about one gallon per day, which adds up to nearly 30 gallons per month.
So you have two known leaks, each dripping once every 20 seconds or the other way of thinking of it is essentially one drip every 10 seconds. To translate to above you have 6 drips per minute (assuming that your drip assessment is 100% accurate).

Since 10 drips per minute can add up to one gallon per day, and you are out for 48hrs, then it seems like your two drips might be the culprit. With two known leaks it would be reasonable to assume that you may have another.

Either way, I would start with fixing the two known leaks and seeing if you have any more issues. You can do the old reverse trick and use your garden hose to fill your bilge completely with water. You may be able to spot leaks going out easier than coming in.
 
Grub54891

Grub54891

Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
6,367
You can do the old reverse trick and use your garden hose to fill your bilge completely with water. You may be able to spot leaks going out easier than coming in.
NO! Never do that. You will probably soak the starter and it’ll end up junk. And you will overload your trailer.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
13,488
I know this setup is way diff than mine but I could not identify leak location(s) by filling up the boat. The sand silt and muck plugged the holes. Until I ripped the floor up and cleaned out no water dripped. Do it anyway just thought id chime in on my experience.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,706
I just helped a friend who had a similar issue with his Volvo Penta. Once he yanked his boat I found the bellows had a 1/2" open crack in it. I could tell it had been changed at one point since the clamp was in the wrong position.

When was the last time you had your bellows replaced? You said it's old...define old. I change mine every 5-7 years or so.

Also, always store with the drive down. Much easier on the bellows and shift cable.
 
Wave34

Wave34

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 17, 2017
Messages
362
bruceb58 said:
I just helped a friend who had a similar issue with his Volvo Penta. Once he yanked his boat I found the bellows had a 1/2" open crack in it. I could tell it had been changed at one point since the clamp was in the wrong position.

When was the last time you had your bellows replaced? You said it's old...define old. I change mine every 5-7 years or so.

Also, always store with the drive down. Much easier on the bellows and shift cable.
Click to expand...
Bellows must be at least 10 years old, but in Canada, summer is short, and it is fresh water, and yes, I store it with the drive in the down position.

I have the drive and pivot housing removed right now, and will replace the bellow with the new Volvo design (rigid plastic).

I will also replace the O-ring for the steering arm.
 
Wave34

Wave34

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 17, 2017
Messages
362
Captain Caveman said:
I did a quick internet search, and this is the AI response for how fast a water drip can accumulate:
  • Typical drip: A faucet dripping at a rate of 10 drips per minute wastes about one gallon per day, which adds up to nearly 30 gallons per month.
So you have two known leaks, each dripping once every 20 seconds or the other way of thinking of it is essentially one drip every 10 seconds. To translate to above you have 6 drips per minute (assuming that your drip assessment is 100% accurate).

Since 10 drips per minute can add up to one gallon per day, and you are out for 48hrs, then it seems like your two drips might be the culprit. With two known leaks it would be reasonable to assume that you may have another.

Either way, I would start with fixing the two known leaks and seeing if you have any more issues. You can do the old reverse trick and use your garden hose to fill your bilge completely with water. You may be able to spot leaks going out easier than coming in.
Click to expand...
I cannot fill the bilge. It's a cruiser boat and since the leak is at the steering arm, which is higher than the engine, I would flood 3/4 of the engine and the cabin.
I will start with what I saw leaking from inside the bilge.

The steering arm is leaking drops, but since there is some slack in the pivot pins on the transom, may be the leak is bigger under power, may be the steering arm moves at a slight angle and let more water in ???

I hope those bushings are not too hard to replace. I'm reading my Volvo manual these days.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,509
Gee, water is 8 pounds per gallon. Why not add 200 gallons of water to your boat on the trailer? What could go wrong?
 
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