Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question - Edited w/pics

[tahoejag]

Have noticed some cracks in the engine compartment/bilge area (I would assume from stress/fatique cracks) (mostly in the corners of where it meets the transom). Also in the stowage area for skis there are a few pieces/chunks missing or looks like it just peeled away from what it looks to be the fiberglass. Are these cracks normal? I'm asking that the material that has these cracks, is it epoxy and that is whats covering the fiberglass/stringers? If it is epoxy, can I just repair the cracks or should I be concerned about moisture and have to investigate further? The cracks themselves are dark brown in color and not off white like the rest of the boat. Is this material a standard color or would I have to get "boat specific" color? Thanks for any feedback!

John

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Ayuh,.... We need pictures...

 

[tahoejag]

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Bond-o, I got pics posted.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

#1, those are NOT normal. #2 I'ts hard to tell if the white coating is Bilge paint or Gelcoat. Soak a rag in Acetone and let it set on the White stuff for 20 mins. If it wrinkles and peels then it's paint, If not then it's Gelcoat. Prolly no Epoxy in your boat but you don't tell us the Make, Model and yr of your boat. Where the cracks are showing themselves is in areas that indicate High stress. You may have some transom rot going on. Have you "Bounce Tested" the outdrive to see if there's any movement?

 

[tahoejag]

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Make, Model and yr of your boat.?

2006 Tahoe Q6 S/F

"Bounce Tested" the outdrive to see if there's any movement?

Would that be the same as trying to removing the drive from bellhousing if it seems stuck? I did tap around the compartment area with wrench and hammer...everything did seem to sound solid. I have in the past experienced very rough water cond...could that what caused this? Its odd that the way the pics are, it has not progressed. I am NO expert when it comes to glass and stringers but is this a fixable job (I am pretty mechanically inclined) or should I leave it up to an expert in this field?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Stand on the outdrive and bounce up and down on it and see if the transom flexes. If it does then the transom will need to be replaced. If it does not, you still need to drill some core samples into the transom from the inside to check what kind of shavings you get. If Light and Dry then fill the holes with 3M 5200 and keep investigating. YOu can core sample the engine motor mounts the same way. Do NOT drill all the way thru. Use some tape and mark a 1" depth on the drill bit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Bond-o, I got pics posted.

Ayuh,.... I can't tell where the 1st pic is,...

The 2nd might be a delam, or just peelin' paint,...

The 3rd looks like missin' paint,..
the 4th could be the same, or not,...
'n the last is to far away to tell much of anything...

I think the bounce test is puttin' the drive nearly down, 'n havin' a Fat guy, jump up, 'n down, Hard on it, while yer lookin' closely at the structures...

It's easier than tryin' to look, while somebodyelse floor-boards the throttle.... though not quite an equal force...

 

[tahoejag]

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Re: Engine Compartment / Bilge Area Question

Ayuh,.... I can't tell where the 1st pic is,...

Port side - fore/aft stringer.

The 2nd might be a delam, or just peelin' paint,...

Directly in front of engine facing crankshaft pulley.

The 3rd looks like missin' paint,..

Starbd side stringer meeting transom.

the 4th could be the same, or not,...

Port side - the blower hose is attached to back of transom.

'n the last is to far away to tell much of anything...

Ski locker facing the bow.

Still am wondering what the material is to fill these cracks and once filled would I have to paint over them or is it just like a body filler? The chunk that came off from the ski locker happened a few years back and never gotten worse. I would say that is just peeled paint?