Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

[ShoalSurvivor]

Mercruiser 4.3... took it out yesterday and surprising to me, while docked, the bilge fired up pumped out a quart or so of water. I kept checking and could tell the bilge area had been wet, but never saw much water accumulate.

To be safe, I switched the bilge pump on a few times... sometimes a little would pump out, sometimes not.

When I got home, I flushed the engine, then flushed out the bilge area by running a hose with the bilge pump on.

1) is it normal to have some water accumulate in the bilge under normal operations?
2) is flushing the bilge necessary or recommended after a salt-water trip?

Thanks!

 

[84EdH]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

water in bilge is a sign of a leak somewhere. unless its from your boat cover leaking, you should track it down, its going to get worse. hull, drain plug hole, engine, outdrive, bellows lots of candidates.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Mercruiser 4.3... took it out yesterday and surprising to me, while docked, the bilge fired up pumped out a quart or so of water. I kept checking and could tell the bilge area had been wet, but never saw much water accumulate.

To be safe, I switched the bilge pump on a few times... sometimes a little would pump out, sometimes not.

When I got home, I flushed the engine, then flushed out the bilge area by running a hose with the bilge pump on.

1) is it normal to have some water accumulate in the bilge under normal operations?
2) is flushing the bilge necessary or recommended after a salt-water trip?

Thanks!

1) No water should enter the bilge just from running.
2) If salt water gets in the boat it is always a good idea to flush it out, salt is hard on about everything.

If you keep seeing water in the bilge then you have a leak. It could be coming from out side (salt) or inside if you have a fresh water or sanitary holding tank. Just need tp watch and look around.

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Damn! No fresh water sources onboard. I'll start tracking it down.

I have a 1990 Stingray 190LX. Is running a hose in the bilge area and letting it pump out the right way to flush the bilge?

It the bilge area under the engine the only area I need to rinse, or do I need to do more? Are there hidden areas that are now salty that I should rinse? Should I fill the bait well in the bow and let it drain through?

Also, do y'all recommend "saltaway" as a flush, or just use the hose?

THanks!

 

[alldodge]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Damn! No fresh water sources onboard. I'll start tracking it down.

I have a 1990 Stingray 190LX. Is running a hose in the bilge area and letting it pump out the right way to flush the bilge?

It the bilge area under the engine the only area I need to rinse, or do I need to do more? Are there hidden areas that are now salty that I should rinse? Should I fill the bait well in the bow and let it drain through?

Also, do y'all recommend "saltaway" as a flush, or just use the hose?

THanks!

Need to find the leak first, I'll guess since this just showed up it may be easy enough to find. If it's on a trailer just pull the plug if not using the bilge pump works fine. All water should flow to the bilge. I don't see a need to flush your bait well in the bow, unless you put salt water in it. Do you know if the bait well had any water in it prior to the leak showing up.

Salt away should help but use it after you find the leak. I just do a good rinse but I don't get in salt very often. Maybe someone else that does will add.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

I boat exclusively in salt water. Yes, salt water does do a lot of damage... but I wouldn't be overly concerned about using saltaway just for rinsing your bilge - or even your bilge pump. Like mentioned above, simply pull the plug and raise the bow and hose things off. (Assuming you are on a trailer).

I do recommend finding the leak of course. Find out if it leaks when running or not.

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

I rinsed will, including bilge and pump. I'm gonna let her dry out and then take her out next weekend and see if water appears.

I've always just flushed with fresh water but want to make sure I'm taking proper care.

Should the water running out of the outdrive (when flushing on muffs) be crystal clear, or should it have a little color to it?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

I've never bothered to check the color... too hard to tell. Just run it for 15 minutes or so to make sure it is warmed up and the thermostat has opened. I would suggest doing some checking for the leak BEFORE taking it out next weekend. If it is coming in because of a leaking bellows, then the sooner it is addressed, the less damage to other parts.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Have you checked the bellows?

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Ok... so now's probably a good time to ask ...

How long should I run on muffs to flush salt water? At idle or faster? If waiting for themostat, how long after that opened?

How do I know if the thermostat has opened. I suspect it was when the water started to flow from the starboard side of the engine. Seems like output was consistent on port side.

And thank you for taking the time to answer!

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Bellows looks ok. Appears secured and is in good shape.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Ok... so now's probably a good time to ask ...

How long should I run on muffs to flush salt water? At idle or faster? If waiting for themostat, how long after that opened?

Idle is fine, watch your temp gauge and when it gets up to 140 the thermostat will be open. 10 to 15 minutes should do it, just watch the gauge and give it a bit more to complete.

How do I know if the thermostat has opened. I suspect it was when the water started to flow from the starboard side of the engine. Seems like output was consistent on port side.

And thank you for taking the time to answer!

This concerns me, You should see the water come out of the starboard side as quick as the port side. When was the last time the impeller was changed and are your temp gauges working?

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

temp gauges work. impeller was recently changed. I'm checking with previous owner (family) to verify when.

I will flush again properly and make better note of output flow and temp.

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

I just reflushed it. Temp gauge moves from bottom (120) up to ~ 140 (somewhere between 120/160 markers). Never went higher than that, so I'm assuming the thermostat was working fine, or the temp gauge is broken .

Water did NOT flow evenly out of both sides. If I rev it up a little, more water comes from both sides. Sounds like the impeller to me...

So I asked my brother, "Did you say the impeller was recently changed?". He responded, "Yes. Spring 2011".
I will change it immediately!

 

[alldodge]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Looks like your on the right path, still doesn't explain the water in bilge but maybe something will show up. Getting the water to flow evenly is good

 

[thumpar]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Since you are doing the impeller pull the drive to do it and check out everything on the transom for a leak.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Lots of places mentioned water can get in from but also, as this happened to me, the garboard itself can be in need of re-sealing; that's what cut down most of the water I found entering in my Sea Ray. Along the same line, check any screws/bolts that protrude the transom as my Maxum when I had it and some screws that support the brackets for the swim platform needed re-sealing.

You have dried the bilge and running it on the muffs you are not seeing any water in there?

Also if the temp never gets above 140, then you have a fresh-water-cooling system installed?

I have attached the Merc. procedure on flushing which they indicate to run above idle to help prevent water intrusion back into the engine....one of the other guys will have to explain why that can happen but I choose to follow this guide.

I also boat only in salt water and use salt-away about every other trip for whatever good he may be doing; I also use that to flush my breaks on the trailer. Read the directions as you want to shut it off while the product is still present.

Mark

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Thanks for the service procedure!

No water appeared in the bilge when flushing. I am starting to suspect that I am just dealing with having taken a wave up the stern and through the blower holes. One hose is connected to the fan and had water in it, the other has a short hose that doesn't reach the bilge.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that it's not a leak. I will be replacing the impeller and will inspect carefully.

However, I'm not sure that my temp gauge is actually working. It's cooled down and the needle is still over 120. I didn't notice that before, because I thought it was just warm. How can I test the temp gauge?

I don't think there are any add-on cooling systems... but maybe it was getting hot and I didn't know it???

Does the impeller push water through the engine or just the lower unit? Does the open thermostat cycle water through the engine, or what does the themostat do?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

That's good you see no water while running on a hose at that may help rule out a few things.

Best to get/borrow an infrared gun and shoot around the thermostat housing to see what kind of temps you are really getting.

If you have no fwc system and are only raw water cooled, you're engine is not warming up enough if really only getting to 140 and that's not good for it.

Assuming you have no thru-hull (in the bilge) fitting providing cooling water, then yes, the impeller sucks the water in through the drive and through the engine, again assuming you have no fresh water system. The thermostat plays an important role and removing it, or having it stuck in the open position is not good.

Can you post the serial number of the engine/drive and maybe even a couple pictures of the engine and compartment?

Mark

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Re: Is some water in the bilge expected, or an obvious problem?

Engine is a 4.3 Alpha I Gen II. The original was also a 4.3, but had a cracked head and replaced 2-3 years ago with the 4bbl 4.3 engine.
drive SN: 0L102679 1.63R is stamped in, but 1.81R is hand written next to it.
Transom serial # OL517680
Engine S/N: 90004747