Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

[Ben8719]

Hi,
I I have a maxum 1750 which I recently had in the water for a few days, I tied it to my bouy, and left it over night, the first night was fine, I came back the next day and all was ok, we went out and had a great day, I came back tied up and left the boat.
It rained bad the next day so we never went out on day 2, on day 3 I got to my boat and all looked ok until I took off my cover off, and the boat had filled with water, the engine bay was full, half way up the engine, not over the dip stick though. All under the decking was full.
I turned on the bilge and it emptied in about 10 mins, unbelievably the engine started and run fine, we had a great day out.

Water slowley enters the engine bay while I am out, I turn on the bilge and all is ok, but I can not leave my boat out any more and have to take it out every day.

Does any one have any ideas why, how or where the locations could be how the water is getting in?

It isn't water from rain or waves, there is to much.

Thank you for any help.

Regards
Paul

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Welcome to IBOATS.

Some items common to most Mercruiser engine packages where water can enter is through a cracked shift cable bellows, ujoint bellows, the transom seal around the gimbal housing or a cracked Y exhaust pipe.
Probably need to get the boat out of the water on a trailer at a launch ramp and try and see/listen where the water is entering.

Seems like you really need to get an automatic float switch for the bilge pump and make sure you have a dual battery setup with selector switch.

Mark

 

[Bondo]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Hi,
I I have a maxum 1750 which I recently had in the water for a few days, I tied it to my bouy, and left it over night, the first night was fine, I came back the next day and all was ok, we went out and had a great day, I came back tied up and left the boat.
It rained bad the next day so we never went out on day 2, on day 3 I got to my boat and all looked ok until I took off my cover off, and the boat had filled with water, the engine bay was full, half way up the engine, not over the dip stick though. All under the decking was full.
I turned on the bilge and it emptied in about 10 mins, unbelievably the engine started and run fine, we had a great day out.

Water slowley enters the engine bay while I am out, I turn on the bilge and all is ok, but I can not leave my boat out any more and have to take it out every day.

Does any one have any ideas why, how or where the locations could be how the water is getting in?

It isn't water from rain or waves, there is to much.

Thank you for any help.

Regards
Paul

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... What motor,..??

What drive,..??

We don't care what the hull is in this forum,...

That said, the only way to find a Leak, is to LOOK,...

A digital camera will put yer eyes, where yer head won't fit,...

 

[hivoltg]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Sounds rain related.

Is that cover waterproof, have any holes, or it may have pooled water into the boat in a sagging area.

If the rain water filled the front bilge and flooring...you can see residual water for awhile and think its a leak.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

If it was above the starter, pull the boat and remove the drive to let the water out, replace the starter ans battery cables
and get a auto float switch installed.
Main bellows, shift cable bellows, Y pipe corroded

 

[Ben8719]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Welcome to IBOATS.

Some items common to most Mercruiser engine packages where water can enter is through a cracked shift cable bellows, ujoint bellows, the transom seal around the gimbal housing or a cracked Y exhaust pipe.
Probably need to get the boat out of the water on a trailer at a launch ramp and try and see/listen where the water is entering.

Seems like you really need to get an automatic float switch for the bilge pump and make sure you have a dual battery setup with selector switch.

Mark

Thank you all for the advice, and welcoming me to I boats.
I had some very good covers on the boat so I can definatly rule out rain, I have the boat out of the water and on my trailer at home, I have already removed the bilge pump and ordered an automatic bilge I will fit that this week.
I am going to work on the boat tomorrow, I plan to put some coloured water in the engine compartment and see if I can see it leaking out, let's hope it's as simple as that.
What would be the best way to set up a dual battery for the bilge, I have very little room on the boat for a second battery, any suggestions.

Thanks for all your advice

 

[Bondo]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Thank you all for the advice, and welcoming me to I boats.
I had some very good covers on the boat so I can definatly rule out rain, I have the boat out of the water and on my trailer at home, I have already removed the bilge pump and ordered an automatic bilge I will fit that this week.
I am going to work on the boat tomorrow, I plan to put some coloured water in the engine compartment and see if I can see it leaking out, let's hope it's as simple as that.
What would be the best way to set up a dual battery for the bilge, I have very little room on the boat for a second battery, any suggestions.

Thanks for all your advice

Ayuh,.... That won't work,....

Back the boat into the water, on the wagon, 'n Then Look for the leak,...

 

[Volphin]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

My money is on the bellows. I'd grease the gimbal bearing asap to mitigate water intrusion and pull the out drive to check for water.

 

[Ben8719]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Evening all
Well I had a good look at the boat today, I couldn't see any holes in the bellows, they look in ok condition but could do with changing I think, the gimbal bearing was changed about 3 months ago and having looked what has to be done they should have changed the bellows then, I am not sure if they used adhesive when they put the bellows back on, so they could be leaking from the joints.
I have fitted a auto bilge today, a Johnson 500.

I did run the engine up and one thing I noticed was water only coming out the right hand exhaust on the transom! Is this normal and could it be a symtom to a problem?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Ben8719]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Welcome to IBOATS.

Some items common to most Mercruiser engine packages where water can enter is through a cracked shift cable bellows, ujoint bellows, the transom seal around the gimbal housing or a cracked Y exhaust pipe.
Probably need to get the boat out of the water on a trailer at a launch ramp and try and see/listen where the water is entering.

Seems like you really need to get an automatic float switch for the bilge pump and make sure you have a dual battery setup with selector switch.

Mark

Could you advise the best way to install the electrics for the auto bilge, so I don't end up with a flat battery when I come to start it?

 

[Volphin]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Evening all
Well I had a good look at the boat today, I couldn't see any holes in the bellows, they look in ok condition but could do with changing I think, the gimbal bearing was changed about 3 months ago and having looked what has to be done they should have changed the bellows then, I am not sure if they used adhesive when they put the bellows back on, so they could be leaking from the joints.
I have fitted a auto bilge today, a Johnson 500.

I did run the engine up and one thing I noticed was water only coming out the right hand exhaust on the transom! Is this normal and could it be a symtom to a problem?

Thanks for any advice

So you are running thru hull exhaust? Yes, there should be water exiting. The manifold may be plugged up with scale and rust. You need to find out. OR The water for that manifold is dumping into your bilge. Find that leak man!

 

[Ben8719]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Lol, I am trying to find the leak, I am going to get a service kit for the stern drive and change the bellows, how can a check the exhaust and what should I do to clean it?
If its blocked wouldn't it all dump through the other side?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

You should be seeing water coming out both exhausts, not just one side.

Did you buy a new bilge pump and float switch or just a float switch and trying to wire it into the existing bilge pump?

Mine was also a Johnson 500 and I had it wired such that the 12v power went to the float switch then when the water level was high enough it rose the lever and activated the pump. Then I also had the manual "turn-on" switch on the dash that if I flipped that on the pump would turn right on. The brown wire was the "hot" side on my setup.

Did yours come with some instructions on proper wiring?

Seems like if you do not have room for a 2nd battery to leave permanently installed, you need to have one on brought on-board and stow somewhere while using the boat.

Mark

 

[Volphin]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

I'd inspect the hoses for a leak first. Poke your head down there and take a visual walkabout. If those look ok, pull that manifold off. It needs inspecting. Did you ever determine what engine you have?

 

[Ben8719]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Hi mark see
Yes I got a new pump with float switch, I installed it yesterday, I decided to wire it to the dashboard as the other one was, and use that toggle switch to turn it off and on, I then installed another switch by my isolator in the engine bay which turns it on to automatic, just like you have done, I have a 70amp battery on the boat, the pump draws 2amps if constantly in use, just wondering how long the battery will last if I leave it on. All though I do understand it will draw no power when in stand by mode.
How big a battery do you think I need to carry on board?
Cheers

 

[Ben8719]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Hi volphin
Thanks for the advice, I have looked round the hoses and can't see any tares or holes, I ran the engine yesterday and could not see any water leaking into the engine bay, the engine is a 3.0l mercruiser alpha 1 gen 2, the boat was made in 2006.
Could u explain more about inspecting and fixing the exhaust, and your description of taking the manifold off?
Don't want to sound like I know nothing, I am an engineer in domestic and commercial gas, just don't know much about automotive engineering, but with direction I can do most things.
Thanks for your advice

 

[achris]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

..., I ran the engine yesterday and could not see any water leaking into the engine bay, the engine is a 3.0l mercruiser alpha 1 gen 2, the boat was made in 2006....

Finally!!!... Only took 16 posts :facepalm:

Ok. If the boat fills with water when the engine is not running, and doesn't fill when you are traveling along (on the plane), then that rules out engine related hoses. But rules in, uni bellows and shift cable bellows, also transom seal.

First thing I would do is pull the drive and have a look around in there. Only takes a few minutes to get a drive off, and it gives you a great place to start.

Start with that. If you still can't see anything obvious, the next step is a bit drastic. I would pull the engine, refit the drive and take it to a ramp somewhere. I would back the car down until the boat is at its normal level in the water... Now find your leak!

Chris......

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Regarding your question about the battery:
You want the bilge pump to come one automatically especially when not physically on the boat yet not leave yourself with a "dead" battery when you do get to the boat and want to start it.

That to me means you want a Marine "Deep cycle" battery when you're away from the boat and a Marine "starting" battery to get you going. These days you can find some that are "dual purpose". You have to be able to charge whatever batteries you use whether via the boat electical system or some type of charger and what's available to you. Having 2 batteries installed properly wired with a selector switch is what you want but if you can not do that because of space issues, then you may need to bring a spare battery with you or some type of portable starting unit if the long battery installed won't get you going.


Regarding your water entering issues:
I'm seeing where you've been given some good ideas about backing the boat down while still on the trailer, removing the drive and looking for water and though you may have other issues with exhaust water, seems like you want to find the source of the water intrusion first.
Also look at the garboard plug itslef maybe needing to be resealed/replaced as I found that to be a source of water entering my boat that after removing it and re-installing with all new sealant and screws cut down on water entering my bilge.

Mark

 

[Ben8719]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

Hi mark, yet again thank you, well I h
Did some more work today, I had a good look at the bellows and I reckon a set of new would be a good idea although I still can't see any holes, I think they could be sealed better with sealant on the joints, the gimbal bearing was changed about 4 months ago before I had the boat and I wonder how good it was put back together.
As for the batteries I compleatly understand what you are suggesting, I think the easy option for now is to carry a smallm jump starter with me, may a small 12v motorbike battery do give it a jump if needed.
As for the exhaust, I blocked the one the water was coming out and tried running the engine, water did start coming out the other side, when I removed the tape from the right side all the water came out that side, am I correct in thinking that with an inline 4 there is only one exhaust and it just splits into two exit ports, and that it wouldn't matter which side the water came out?
it's great to find out more about the engine.

Once again cheers.
Paul

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: Maxum 1750 Engine bay flooded with sea water! Why?

For your battery issue.... I would get a solar charger, You can pick one up just about anywhere tools are sold. As long as it is outside the cover or in a "window" it will keep a trickle charge on the battery.


As for water in the bilge.... I have a 3.0 Sea Ray and I was getting water also. I replaced the shift cable and U - joint bellows. This stopped the leak. After 2 times out with the boat, the bilge filled with sea water up to the starter. That's when I found my bilge pump wasn't working. Stupid me didn't check it that day prior to going out. I hadn't properly glued the u - joint bellows and it had loosened up allowing water to get into boat.

Check the bellows, when I inspected the bellows they looked fine, after I removed outdrive, it was clear the shift cable bellows was in desperate need of replacement.


A footnote I would add is, getting water in the starter will, in all likely hood, cause it to fail very soon. This happened to me with a brand new starter. You may want to think about having a replacement at the ready.