Full Bilge-- where to start?

[brandhr]

1995 Blue Water "Monte Carlo" bowrider. Merc 4.3 XL Alpha One. Have only had minimal water in the bilge in the past. Bilge was dry Saturday when I started-- drove for about 20 minutes and then dropped anchor in about 3 feet of water with bow tied off into the wind (very choppy seas, boat was really bobbing). At anchor for about three hours and bilge completely filled with water. Is a bad bellows the number one suspect? Where else do I start?

 

[proxyx]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

rough water...? if it was ok before the trip maybe you should check the seal under the rub-rail (one that seals the overlap of top and bottom all around the boat).
Check the boat in calm waters... and then you can possibly examine the bellows.
Other (simple) explanation - splashes over the bow going into your bilge...(???) or manifold hose dumping water into your boat (engine block drain plugs as well). Happened to my friend, almost sank the boat.
Btw. with so much water... what happened to your bilge pump trigger switch.

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

don't forget the drain plug it could be worn or just lose and let water in while anchored im talking about the thru hull also take a look at it its free to look lol

 

[brandhr]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

Thanks-- like those potential "free" fixes like a warn plug.

Bilge pump trigger did not engage-- had to manually turn it on.

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

checking the boats drain is free but the new plug will cost ya hope its the problem its the easiest and cheapest to fix let us know what you find OK

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

With the boat on the trailer, you can get a hose and start filling up the bilge. See where it leaks out.

How long has it been since you have removed your outdrive? It needs to be removed periodically to check things - like engine alignment, etc. If it has been awhile, it would be a good idea to pull it anyway to make sure you do not have any water in the bellows area. LOTS of expensive stuff can go bad quickly if you don't take care of that problem soon. Only way to make sure is to remove the outdrive and look.

 

[Don S]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

Filling the inside works as long as your leak isn't above the bottom of the starter. Instead of filling the boat full of water, why don't you just tie the boat to the trailer and back it down in the water and look around the transom area for water coming in. May take some mirrors and flashlight tricks, and some carefull listening and feeling, but the leak can usually be narrowed down to a specific location.

PS: fix the float switch on your bilge pump, and make it a practice to check it's operation each time you go boating.

 

[bds85466]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

quick (non sarcastic) question for Don S:

how do you check your auto float switch functionality every time? do you trigger it by hand?
________________

Is your boat stored on a trailer or in a slip on the water? I ask because if you thought your bilge was dry, could it be possible that extra water migrated to the back of your boat after running it for a bit and bobbing like crazy?

Leak somewhere in the exhaust manifold or cooling system? Watch your hoses/exhaust manifolds while your engine is running. Tomorrow I'm replacing a leaky exhaust manifold that was spewing water into my bilge...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

how do you check your auto float switch functionality every time? do you trigger it by hand?

I'm not Don - but yes, that's how to check it. Lift the float switch and see if the pump comes on.

 

[bds85466]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

BUT it's all gross down there!

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

suck it up cupcake time to get dirty lololol

 

[bds85466]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

you haven't seen my bilge...

only joking, it's not too bad.

though it may be time to take the shop vac to it, followed by a nice bilge cleaner.

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

cant be any worse then mine after i tried to drain the oil out the bottom of the pan lol now that was a mess

 

[ziggy]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

though it may be time to take the shop vac to it

be careful with that idea. any fuel fumes in the bilge may get sucked into the vac. which has an electric motor that can create sparks + the vac could be filling up with the fuel fumes (if there available) it sucks up. then the vac will basically be a bomb.. be careful..

 

[Thad]

Re: Full Bilge-- where to start?

You were in three foot of water. Did you have your drive up?
The nuts can come loose that hold the drive collar to the transom. If the outdrive was hitting the bottom, it would allow for the collar to pull away and let a LOT of water in in a very short period of time. It will not let water in when the drive is not hitting anything because the weight of the drive presses the seal tight to the transom. If the plug thing does not check out, You can check what I said by placing a block of soft wood for under the skeg, lower the tongue then lower the drive to the wood. Keep the drive to a bit of an angle. Raise the tongue until the drive is on the wood solidly. Keep in mind, angle. Raise or have someone raise the tongue more to put pressure on the drive and see if it pulls away. Look closely, it only takes less than a 1/16" to let water in.
But hopefully it's the plug.