Water in engine compartment - help!

[Deereguy]

Life changes have made it neccesary to sell my 2010 Reinell 198fns. I had it sold until today's test-ride.

Last fall I winterized the 4.3L GL Volvo -Penta as per the owners manual.

We take it out today & within 10 minutes the engine compartment is full of water! We couldn't see any visible leaks. We were out in the middle to the lake & turned the bilge pump on. We were able to make it to the trailer. The engine never over-heated, & is still full of oil that isn't milky. Could the billows be defective? What are the signs of a cracked block!

Help!

 

[Maclin]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

That much water in that short amount of time sounds like some engine or mainifold plugs were not put back in after winterizing, or a hose was removed for draining and was not put back on, or you left the bilge plug out.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

What about livewells? All plumbed and plugged?

 

[Deereguy]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

Bilge plug was in tight. I couldn't find any loose hoses or winterization plugs not inserted. Funny thing is...the prospective buyer liked my boat so much he still wants to buy it after I find out the problem.

Is a cracked block out of the question? This is the fourth I/O boat I've owned ,always done my own winterization & never had a problem...this is weird.

Bellows came to mind too.

 

[BMaag]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

Can you put on a set of water muffs and do a visual while it is running. Sounds like a plug missing. Sometimes those things hide real good.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

Can you put on a set of water muffs and do a visual while it is running. Sounds like a plug missing. Sometimes those things hide real good.

Ayuh,.... Agreed,.... How is it winterized,..?? with antifreeze, or Dry,..??

If with antifreeze, it Might just be a core plug popped out somewhere...

 

[Deereguy]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

I dry winterized it just like the owners manual said. I pulled the blue plastic engine drain plugs & pulled the hoses it indicated to pull. The boat was in an un-heated storage unit & we only had a few really cold nights in December.

I was certain I got them all back in place. I may have missed something though.

I'll take it to the dealer tomorrow unless they are booked up.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

I dry winterized it just like the owners manual said. I pulled the blue plastic engine drain plugs & pulled the hoses it indicated to pull. The boat was in an un-heated storage unit & we only had a few really cold nights in December.

I was certain I got them all back in place. I may have missed something though.

I'll take it to the dealer tomorrow unless they are booked up.

Ayuh,... Atleast put it on the muffs runnin', 'n Look....

A mirror, flashlight, or digital camera will help ya pin point the leak, if it's from the coolin' system...

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Water in engine compartment - help!

I'm guessing it is your radiator thingmagigy that cools the power steering fluid. All it is is a small radiator, (copper) If you did not disconnect it when winterized that might be the culprit. The water in it freezes and blows a hole or crack in it,then when running it is pulling in water to cool the power steering but is leaking/injecting it into the engine compartment.

Happened to me twice now.When your not running the motor, there will be no leak.