Water In Bilge

[Former BE Member]

I am having a problem finding how water is getting in my bilge...I will give the details and what i have checked....<br /> 1) When my fresh water tank is full i get water in.<br /> I thought that i had a leaky tank so i put some food coloring in the tank, but the water in the bilge was clear, so i know that is not the problem..<br /> 2) when the wind blows the waves into the transom of the boat i get water in.....<br /> I thought that the u-joint bellows was leaking so i took the outdrive off and checked it out....There is a bit of grease in the bellows.. If the water was coming in there i would think that the grease would be a milky color, but it wasnt....<br /> I thought that maybee it was coming in around the transom, so i ran the garden hose on top of the outdrive for 2 hours and never took in a drop.<br /> With all the bellows being submerged all the time i would THINK that i could rule out bellows..<br /> When the water tank is empty and i dont have extra weight in the boat and it is calm water she stays dry.........<br /> I am at a total loss.Where should i look???????any ideas........<br />PS.Its a mercruiser Alpha one

 

[arks]

Re: Water In Bilge

Just to clarify-<br />Is there anytime that the boat is in the water when it doesn't leak at all?<br /><br />Here's some ideas:<br />- the bellows is a primary suspect. They can have a split along a seam and not leak at all with the drive down, and leak badly when the drive is up. This has happened to me.<br />- look carefully at all hardware. If the rubrail or a hatch isn't sealed properly you'd get some water. <br />- rainwater intrusion from a cover that isn't quite right. Years ago, I had a really nice cockpit cover that looked great, but the rain would run down the cover and straight into my blower inlet. After adding flaps to cover the blower vents- no more water.

 

[Belchy]

Re: Water In Bilge

Might sound like a dumb idea, make sure the plug is tightened..I once have seen a boat have a leak from a plug not being tightened all the way...<br /><br />Belchy

 

[Former BE Member]

Re: Water In Bilge

Originally posted by arks:<br /> Just to clarify-<br />Is there anytime that the boat is in the water when it doesn't leak at all?<br /><br />Here's some ideas:<br />- the bellows is a primary suspect. They can have a split along a seam and not leak at all with the drive down, and leak badly when the drive is up. This has happened to me.<br />- look carefully at all hardware. If the rubrail or a hatch isn't sealed properly you'd get some water. <br />- rainwater intrusion from a cover that isn't quite right. Years ago, I had a really nice cockpit cover that looked great, but the rain would run down the cover and straight into my blower inlet. After adding flaps to cover the blower vents- no more water.

The boat does not leak when the water is calm or if the wind blows the waves towards the bow.....It can rain like cats and dogs and i still stay dry......<br /> Is it possable for a bellows to have an intermintent leak? Leak sometimes, but not always.....When i am at the dock i put my drive all the way down.....Is this maybee adding to the problem?<br /> The bellows were all changed 3 years ago, maybee i should change them again??<br /> I checked where the rubrail is and it is sealed tight....

 

[QC]

Re: Water In Bilge

This sounds like something is submerged more when the water tank is full. Or you are having water spraying back into air vents. I had a friend's boat recently that took on water only when she was beached. Has a molded in swimstep and that was the only time the deck hull joint was submerged . . . I don't think that is happening with your boat, but something that has to do with the waterline and following seas.<br /><br />Drive up or down should have no effect.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Water In Bilge

Where is your bilge pump discharge located???? Waves can enter the discharge and drain into the bilge when the boat rocks.Bilge pump hose should have a high loop in it to prevent this.Charlie

 

[arks]

Re: Water In Bilge

Originally posted by Former BE Member:<br /> Is it possable for a bellows to have an intermintent leak? Leak sometimes, but not always.....

Absolutely.<br />My old Wellcraft (single I/O) developed a leak whenever it was left in the water with the drive not fully down. It turned out the rubber bellows compressed against itself when the drive was all the way down, but when the drive was raised even a little, the crack or split opened and leaked directly into the bilge. Have your bellows checked.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Water In Bilge

Its also possible that the exhaust Y-pipe or one of the exhaust hoses are leaking.

 

[rob85546]

Re: Water In Bilge

on mine there are 2 transom bolts on the bottom with anodes on them, there was water leaking in thru them.. they have rubber seals on them, I took the old ones out and they were all corroded.. put new ones in and now it seems fine.