A little water when removing drain plug

[Home Cookin']

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

when you go to launch, while it's still on the trailer with the stern in the water (assuming you sink the trailer) stick your head down in there and see if water is trickling in esp. around the bellows. Before you start the engine. That's a start.

But not if there's a line at the ramp!!

 

[the vision]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Check if you have vent slots on the transom, when you slow down to idle speed backwash maybe coming in. I had a similar problem with my old BR and that is where the water was getting in. It wasn,t alot but every time I came off plain some would splash in and down to the bilge.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Okay folks...So i took the boat out today to try and find the leak. Started out at home with the muffs on and found nothing whatsoever. Just to be safe i put my garden hose in the bilge to make sure it worked as well as kicked on automatically and bingo everything good there.

Next i took it to the lake. I backed in the water and before i even unloaded the boat i looked at the transom, (from the inside of course) bilge, and everything else and nothing. Not a drop.

I took for for a spin and ran it through the hoops...slow, plowing, barely on plane, wide open, hard left, hard right, whipping it around the hitting my wake. (Im sure i looked like a fool but good for me the lake was dead!) After 10 mins or so i put it in idle and saw a tiny bit of water in the bilge. I got out the flash light and looked at the bilge pump and it looked like a few drops were comming out of the uptake but know nothing is comming in through the bilge exit...could have just been splashing up there from pulling back on the throttle pretty quickly...??? Next i did it again, ran it through the hoops and what do you know a tiny bit more water in the bilge. Still could not see where it was comming from.

So by this point im like WTH??? The whole time i was looking with the sundeck lifted up i was viewing the bilge from the port side. So, i went over to the starboard side and saw some water beind my battery which seemed to be slidding into the bilge. I then began to trace the water forward toward the bench seat and some water looked to be comming from under the seat. Who knows maybe that too was just from slowing the boat. I do have CC exhaust on the rig and need to double check the starboard side to be positive there are no leaks there. I can tell this small (if there is such a thing!) leak has been occuring for a while as the area behind the battery has a good amount of grim like water sits there often.

I would bet nearly all my money that my hull is not leaking and that nothing is comming in through the hull cap. When i got home i double checked the hull underneath and as i found before it is in phenomenal shape...very few scratches and very shallow at that. It looks nearly new under there.

So now i am at a stand still. I cant figure this out yet and it bugs the crap out of me! Over all i was on the water about an hour and when i pulled the drain plug only about 3-4 cups of water came out but still i want it to be dry as a bone. What do you guys think? Any direction for me Mr. Frustraded??

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

... I got out the flash light and looked at the bilge pump and it looked like a few drops were comming out of the uptake but know nothing is comming in through the bilge exit...could have just been splashing up there from pulling back on the throttle pretty quickly...??? Next i did it again, ran it through the hoops and what do you know a tiny bit more water in the bilge. Still could not see where it was comming from...

To rule out the Bilge Hull Thru, next time place some duct tape over it and try splashing it again.

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Don't forget to check hose connections on the motor AND the two rubber connections (forgot what their called) that go between your risers and the exhaust down tubes. I've seen leaks in both places if the hose clamps are not tight. Also just to double check, you should be able to see (from inside the boat) where your drive shaft goes through the transome out to the out drive, take a flashlight and make sure you don't have any water trickling in there. Just cuz the bellows may have been serviced a year ago or what ever, if the guy didn't seal em correctly you'll still get a leak.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Don't forget to check hose connections on the motor AND the two rubber connections (forgot what their called) that go between your risers and the exhaust down tubes. I've seen leaks in both places if the hose clamps are not tight. Also just to double check, you should be able to see (from inside the boat) where your drive shaft goes through the transome out to the out drive, take a flashlight and make sure you don't have any water trickling in there. Just cuz the bellows may have been serviced a year ago or what ever, if the guy didn't seal em correctly you'll still get a leak.

Thanks for the input Tyeeman...dbl check my most recent post. Pretty sure i covered most of those bases. Any other thoughts?

 

[SteveMcD]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I had leaks that drove me up the wall too. I gritted my teeth and filled her with water on the trailer. Is that an unnatural act or what? Found'em. Since then, the only water in my bilge is rain.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I got to thinking today (dangerous) and although this may sound crazy or even dumb to some veterans could it be possible for a small leak to be comming from my speedo tube. My speedo does not currently work (just use my GPS) and the other day i unhooked it from below my dash and blew through it with my air hose. Thought i could hear an air leak somewhere towards the rear but definetly inside the boat... possibly under the sundeck. Once i heard that i thought "Ah i will run a whole new hose some other time". Could there be water comming in through my speedo pick up, going through my speedo hose, then dripping down into my starboard storage area under my sundeck where i did find some water while i was out on the lake the other day?????

 

[QC]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Yes ^^^^^^ Not stupid, and very possible. The flow could be pretty strong too, especially at higher speeds.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

you could try putting some water in it the driveway and seeing if it comes out anywhere. Just be careful you can put in a lot of weight and overload your trailer pretty quickly. shut off or disconnect your battery so the bilge pump won't run.

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

sasada, you sound just like me. I am very peculiar over things like this. I read the entire thread and I wonder if you have overlooked the obvious. It appears you have checked almost everything that has been suggested except the drain plug itself. I didn’t see that mentioned. I had this identical problem and it was the drain plug and flange. Like you I backed my boat down in the water and let it sit for a while, but didn’t see any leaks. I presume now there just wasn’t enough pressure to force the water in until the boat was fully in the water for a period of time. Do you have a tapered brass plug like this one?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...i_sku=442314&gclid=CPCGx_qkx68CFQjd4AodQTReYQ

To solve my problem bought a new plug and flange. I replaced the plug… it still leaked, but not as much for a comparable period of time on the water. I replaced and sealed the new flange and screwed in the new plug. Immediately I noted the new plug screwed in about half as far as the old plug into the flange. I ran the boat for a while and came to the dock bone dry. I don’t think the seal around my old flange was ever leaking. I think the taper on the old flange and old plug we just tired and long overdue for replacement.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

sasada, you sound just like me. I am very peculiar over things like this. I read the entire thread and I wonder if you have overlooked the obvious. It appears you have checked almost everything that has been suggested except the drain plug itself. I didn?t see that mentioned. I had this identical problem and it was the drain plug and flange. Like you I backed my boat down in the water and let it sit for a while, but didn?t see any leaks. I presume now there just wasn?t enough pressure to force the water in until the boat was fully in the water for a period of time. Do you have a tapered brass plug like this one?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...i_sku=442314&gclid=CPCGx_qkx68CFQjd4AodQTReYQ

To solve my problem bought a new plug and flange. I replaced the plug? it still leaked, but not as much for a comparable period of time on the water. I replaced and sealed the new flange and screwed in the new plug. Immediately I noted the new plug screwed in about half as far as the old plug into the flange. I ran the boat for a while and came to the dock bone dry. I don?t think the seal around my old flange was ever leaking. I think the taper on the old flange and old plug we just tired and long overdue for replacement.

I hope you meant "particular" vs "peculiar"! Although, i may be considered odd by some id much rather be particular and peculiar.

Hmmm....very interesting... I have the exact same plug and flange as the one in the link. You may be on to something as my drain plug does screw in quite far before comming to a stop. If my memory serves me correctly it may even countersink before its snug. I was actually unaware that a brass plug and flange could wear out. Last time i had my boat in my drive i thought about unhooking the battery and putting a few gallons in the bilge and seeing if i find any leaks. Next time i will be sure to at least try it. HOPEFULLY if my drain plug is leaking it will weep at least a little bit. If it does not i wont rule it out because as you mentioned it may take more than just a small amount of pressure to make it leak.

On a different note....these forums are better than best friending any single mechanic! Thanks for all the input everyone! (BUT, dont be shy people if you have something else to add!)

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

...You may be on to something as my drain plug does screw in quite far before comming to a stop. If my memory serves me correctly it may even countersink before its snug. I was actually unaware that a brass plug and flange could wear out. ...

The Bilge plugs are usually Pipe Thread Plugs in another life.
They require Pipe Dope or Teflon Tape to guarantee a seal in the plumbing world.
It takes over two feet of water to produce 1 PSI of pressure while sitting still.
So any leak will be very minor at best.
The water will try to go OUT while underway.
A little grease on the threads will prevent any leak!

The Spedometer Pitot Hose is a major RED FLAG.
That tube will squirt like a super soaker while underway.
Fix it NOW!

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

sasada, Ok speaking for myself I AM peculiar!

I’m glad you have the same plug and flange as the one to which I am referring. That may mean we ARE onto something. I wouldn’t say the plug and flange “wear out”, but I can confirm they do wear down and are no longer water tight. They are a tapered match. I guess every time we insert the plug we gain a fractional increase in depth. See that the flange is not expanding, this of course is evidence that the threads on both the plug and flange wear down and that’s what causes the plug to screw into the flange so far it actually counter sinks into the flange. Mine old plug and flange did the exact same thing. I noticed over time the plug became flush with the flange then it actually started to countersink into the flange. I wouldn’t bother with the water in the bilge driveway test. I tried that and it was useless. I don’t think there is enough pressure to force the water in unless you’ve got the weight of the boat displacing water, creating a constant lateral compression pressure on the boat. This is actually a cheap repair. Less than $20 including the cost of a new tube of sealant. Just so you have something to gage by. I went from a countersunk plug on my old set up to about an 1/8” - 3/16” of thread visible on my new plug and flange.

 

[tnriver]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I detail boats and find this often, even with good mooring covers. That water gets into boat while not in the drink from rain or quick spray overs between washings.
Do you pull plug when she's out of water?
Regarding bilge. On my house boat for the auto bilge to come on needs several inches of water. At once if manual.

 

[tnriver]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I had a friend who's Celeberty's engine air vents took in water when under way. ie wave splash

 

[QC]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

Just a shout out to Willie. With you on the pitot. Sasada I think you should pull the hose at the inside of the transom and plug the fitting to check I also agree that the plug leak, while legit, would be very small.

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

The Bilge plugs are usually Pipe Thread Plugs in another life.
They require Pipe Dope or Teflon Tape to guarantee a seal in the plumbing world.
It takes over two feet of water to produce 1 PSI of pressure while sitting still.
So any leak will be very minor at best.
The water will try to go OUT while underway.
A little grease on the threads will prevent any leak!

The Spedometer Pitot Hose is a major RED FLAG.
That tube will squirt like a super soaker while underway.
Fix it NOW!

Funny you mention that....yes it does take 2.31 head feet of water to create 1lb of static psi. (cant tell work in the water industry can you???) I may try some teflon tape on the plug and see if that makes any difference at all, but totally intend on replacing the plug and flange.

Could i crimp off the speedo hose on the exterior of the boat with a plastic pinch clamp to see if that may be causing me an issue?

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

sasada, Ok speaking for myself I AM peculiar!

I’m glad you have the same plug and flange as the one to which I am referring. That may mean we ARE onto something. I wouldn’t say the plug and flange “wear out”, but I can confirm they do wear down and are no longer water tight. They are a tapered match. I guess every time we insert the plug we gain a fractional increase in depth. See that the flange is not expanding, this of course is evidence that the threads on both the plug and flange wear down and that’s what causes the plug to screw into the flange so far it actually counter sinks into the flange. Mine old plug and flange did the exact same thing. I noticed over time the plug became flush with the flange then it actually started to countersink into the flange. I wouldn’t bother with the water in the bilge driveway test. I tried that and it was useless. I don’t think there is enough pressure to force the water in unless you’ve got the weight of the boat displacing water, creating a constant lateral compression pressure on the boat. This is actually a cheap repair. Less than $20 including the cost of a new tube of sealant. Just so you have something to gage by. I went from a countersunk plug on my old set up to about an 1/8” - 3/16” of thread visible on my new plug and flange.

Your idea about giving me something to gage by i presume is going to be very helpful. Exactly what type of sealant shall i use? I read somewhere to NOT use regular bathroom type (smells like vinegar) silicone...what kind did you use?

 

[sasada]

Re: A little water when removing drain plug

I detail boats and find this often, even with good mooring covers. That water gets into boat while not in the drink from rain or quick spray overs between washings.
Do you pull plug when she's out of water?
Regarding bilge. On my house boat for the auto bilge to come on needs several inches of water. At once if manual.

Though its not the most convenient, I am fortunate in the fact that my boat sits in covered storage. The only time my drain plug is in is when on the water. Thanks!