Water In Pontoon

[realjet]

I keep my boat up on a lift almost always. While I was on it I could hear water sloushing when I "rocked" the boat forward in backwards. It seems to be in the rear starboard side compartment. There are 4 plugs in each pontoon and I do believe they are separate. It's a 22' 1996 Crest II.

I have a plug with a stem valve that I picked up and I was going to add air and check for any leaks. I've read the info about putting too much air in them. I was going to use a prefilled air tank or maybe a 12v tire inflator. Will that work?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Water In Pontoon

You should be fine to 5 psi and that is really all you need to find a leak and remember you are filling a very large volume tank so it does take a second to get air in, just stop every 30 seconds and hit the valve, if you have any kind of air coming out you should be good, and I would keep checking to make sure you have air, a bigger leak will bleed it out pretty quick.

Just get a spray bottle with some soapy water,we use Polmolive dish soap, and start spraying, if it is really big you can hear the air coming out.

I would look first at the very front of the front brackets and the very back of the back brackets, those are stress points and are prone to crack, I would almost bet that is where the leak is unless you have struck something and actually damaged the tube.

Let us know what you find.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Water In Pontoon

You should be fine to 5 psi and that is really all you need to find a leak and remember you are filling a very large volume tank so it does take a second to get air in, just stop every 30 seconds and hit the valve, if you have any kind of air coming out you should be good, and I would keep checking to make sure you have air, a bigger leak will bleed it out pretty quick.

Just get a spray bottle with some soapy water,we use Polmolive dish soap, and start spraying, if it is really big you can hear the air coming out.

I would look first at the very front of the front brackets and the very back of the back brackets, those are stress points and are prone to crack, I would almost bet that is where the leak is unless you have struck something and actually damaged the tube.

Let us know what you find.

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Water In Pontoon

Why don't they use reinforcement pads in those areas

 

[realjet]

Re: Water In Pontoon

I took off the plug and air came rushing out. (I thought that if it had a leak no air would come out). I'll install the valve stem this weekend and check for leaks. I did siphon some water out.

 

[vergil]

Re: Water In Pontoon

Dont hold me to this, but I think ponttons dont have to leak to get water in them they can condensate, hopefully someone else will come on here

 

[5150abf]

Re: Water In Pontoon

They can have a leak and still hold pressure, as the tube cools down in the evening the air inside will contract sucking air into the tube then the next day as it warms the air will expand and slowly leak out so it is possible to have a leak and pressure.

Virg, you are right to a degree but the only water in the tube is what is in the air trapped in the tube so it would be tablespoons not gallons

 

[vergil]

Re: Water In Pontoon

They can have a leak and still hold pressure, as the tube cools down in the evening the air inside will contract sucking air into the tube then the next day as it warms the air will expand and slowly leak out so it is possible to have a leak and pressure.

Virg, you are right to a degree but the only water in the tube is what is in the air trapped in the tube so it would be tablespoons not gallons

Thank you i wasnt sure, as i have on old tractor i have to change tranny oil every year as it draws condensation pretty bad.

 

[luckyjr]

Re: Water In Pontoon

The leak is below the water and a small one. Not enough air pressure to force the water to the inside wall. Or, a very very small leak above the water. If the air rushed out. Pontoons need to have reforcement pads welded to the shell were Manuf know stress cracks commonly occur. Aluminum cracks because it is not that plyable.

 

[realjet]

Re: Water In Pontoon

Well put air in the toon today and the only thing we could find was air leaking from the other plug. I'll replace both plugs and see how that goes.