A little water when removing drain plug

[sasada]

I have had my new boat (new to me-2001 Monterey 218LS BR) and each time i removed my drain plug about a gallon + or - of water has come out of the drain. My fishing boat on the other hand (1988 16' lund) is dry as a bone at the end of a day. So what i am wondering is if i have an area of concern??? I would bet a lot of money that my hull is NOT leaking or cracked as that is in great condition all the way around and underneath. My engine hoses, water pump, manifolds, etc all seem to be dry but still the little water i drain after loading my boat has really got me thinking. As well as the fact that no one is getting in and out of the water as its still to cold for that. So...What gives? What do you folks think? Thank you in advance for your opinions!

 

[Larry E]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I have had my new boat (new to me-2001 Monterey 218LS BR) and each time i removed my drain plug about a gallon + or - of water has come out of the drain. My fishing boat on the other hand (1988 16' lund) is dry as a bone at the end of a day. So what i am wondering is if i have an area of concern??? I would bet a lot of money that my hull is NOT leaking or cracked as that is in great condition all the way around and underneath. My engine hoses, water pump, manifolds, etc all seem to be dry but still the little water i drain after loading my boat has really got me thinking. As well as the fact that no one is getting in and out of the water as its still to cold for that. So...What gives? What do you folks think? Thank you in advance for your opinions!

Same thing has been happening to me. I have it narrowed down to the hole in the intermediate case that the electric shift wires pass through. I have replaced the transom seal and clamp. I have sealed all the screws with a sealent, I have replaced the plug for the drain...So who knows. WE just keep plugging away at it (no pun intended)
Larry E

 

[coreybv]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

A gallon or so of water, in and of itself, is of no concern at all.

What is a concern is that the source of the water is unknown. You might need to just set aside a Saturday to get out on the water and spend some time trying to spot where the water is coming from.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

First of all, if you don't have a bilge, you should install one with an automatic float switch. If you have one....it ain't working and should be investigated/resolved.

What hull penetrations do you have? I'll bet that, in addition to the drain plug, there will be one or more for deck drains, live well(s) (if you have one). You mention manifolds in your post, so you've got an I/O. Check the bellows (rubber "boot") on the outdrive for cracks...look real good...they don't need to be very big.

Basically go over the exterior of the boat and re-seal all of them (thru-hull fittings, drains, screws).

If the accumulation continues, then you need to turn your attention to the deck looking for cracks in the flooring. I have seen cases where water intrusion was occurring at the hull joint (top to bottom half - typically under the rubrail).

Check the keel for signs of rub through from constant beaching.

Good Luck...and let us know what you find out!

 

[QC]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

If no one is getting in and out, and you are positive she is dry before launch then I would want to know.

The first place I would check is the sealing under the rub rail. There is a lot of powerful splash there, and it is a common source of "unkown" water Agree with a corey on a seek and find mission.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I do have an automatic bilge but with the little time i have spent on the water and small amount of water it has taken on i dont think it has been enough to make it kick on. I am thinking about sticking my garden hose in the bilge for a little bit just to make sure the thing pumps. I know it runs because i can hear it when i manually flip it on. This whole deal has me really thinking...Anything less than perfection with my toys and vehicle bugs the crap out of me!!! (I hate to sound like this but between us this kept me up last night, no lie) I dont think its the seal under the rub rail because the water both times i have had it out is very calm. What is the easiest way to check the bellows? Any other thoughts on what else it might be? I am going to hook up the muffs to it with the drain plug in and run it for a while just to rule out an engine type leak and go from there i think.

 

[riptorn]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Check your bellow for cracks.
Let her sit in the water for a day to see if she leaks. If not, have someone drive your boat while you check for leaking in the back.
Is the water clear or a yellow color that drains out?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I've had bilge pumps sound like they are working, and not, so water test it. But many pumps and floats allow some water to accumulate. This is OK b/c it saves the battery. When you fill-test it, watch how full it gets before it comes on, then verify that it pumps out.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

The water appears to be clear...well as clear as the lake water. I forgot to mention the previous owner had the outdrive taken out, inspected and serviced (including a new gimbal bearing) in the spring of 2010. I would imagine the bellows where inspected/replaced at that time as well...assuming it was good service dept.

 

[rbh]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

First place I would start is in your yard and hook up the water and run the engine, this will tell you if it is a leak between the drive and engine.
(lots of points that can leak, hoses, manifolds, gaskets ETC)
Second step, take it to the lake unload but do not start the engine, just sit at the dock if available now crawl around and look and listen for water dripping (no fun crawling around a hot engine)
next step take it out slow and then do heavy left turn and check for water then heavy right turn and check for water.
Could be a leak at the transom seal?

if you do not find the leak, start again at the beginning, good luck.

just my.02c

 

[nlain]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

The water appears to be clear...well as clear as the lake water. I forgot to mention the previous owner had the outdrive taken out, inspected and serviced (including a new gimbal bearing) in the spring of 2010. I would imagine the bellows where inspected/replaced at that time as well...assuming it was good service dept.

Never assume, check it and be sure.

 

[riptorn]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Clear lake water in Iowa???

The reason I asked what color the water is because the water in my boat is yellow and is from the windshield leaking when it rains. The water comes in from the corners and by the time it gets to the bilge it has color. lol
You have a leak back there some place.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

So i checked out the bellows...they look to be in good-great shape so i dont think its those.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

So i checked out the bellows...they look to be in good-great shape so i dont think its those.

Looking does not count!
The question is, "Is it leaking?"

Dry out the Bilge. Sponge up every last drop.
Line the bilge under the motor and up forward (Ski Locker) with clean paper towels.
Take a garden hose and blast the rub rail and outdrive with water.
Put someone in the boat to see which area gets wet first.

Note: The Bilge pump Hull-Thru can admit water if it is low on the hull side.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Looking does not count!
The question is, "Is it leaking?"

Dry out the Bildge. Sponge up every last drop.
Line the bildge under the motor and up forward (Ski Locker) with clean paper towels.
Take a garden hose and blast the rub rail and outdrive with water.
Put someone in the boat to see which area gets wet first.

Note: The Bildge pump Hull-Thru can admit water if it is low on the hull side.

Sounds like a great idea to at least try before i acutally take it to the boat ramp. I cant say for sure yet but when unloading and loading the boat i could really see the hull-thru for the BILGE possibly take on water. Thanks!

 

[riptorn]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

How long have you owned the boat? Is this your first time out? You don't say too much about in first post. I had a Silverline I/O with the same problem.

 

[Hit It]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Make sure all of your drain plugs in the engine block are tight. If one of those is loose it could be letting water in. Don't ask me how I know...

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

How long have you owned the boat? Is this your first time out? You don't say too much about in first post. I had a Silverline I/O with the same problem.

The boat is new to me this year. I have only had it out twice.

Hit It...haha i will def check those...Thanks

 

[riptorn]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

The water appears to be clear...well as clear as the lake water. I forgot to mention the previous owner had the outdrive taken out, inspected and serviced (including a new gimbal bearing) in the spring of 2010. I would imagine the bellows where inspected/replaced at that time as well...assuming it was good service dept.

Ya. You should recheck everything. Right from the motor oil to the transom oil to the oil pressure and water temperature. Get someone with experience if you can't.
Looks like a quick fix before sold.
Have patients and check everything out I am sure you'll find it. You have a fairly new boat there it can't be serious.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Ya. You should recheck everything. Right from the motor oil to the transom oil to the oil pressure and water temperature. Get someone with experience if you can't.
Looks like a quick fix before sold.
Have patients and check everything out I am sure you'll find it. You have a fairly new boat there it can't be serious.

I did check those things before i bought the boat. As well as the fact that i made the dealer change the oil, gear lube, and service the trailer as part of the deal. Then double checked them to make sure it was actually done. I am guessing i will find it eventually too...really its not knowing right now that bugs me the most. What exactly looks like a "quick fix" before it was sold? Im hoping that was not the case as i bought it from a dealer and was able to attain the previous owners phone # and talk to him quite a bit before i bought it. Actually i called him yesterday about the issue to get some insight and allbeit very nice he didnt have any info for this issue.