How to diagnose a water leak?

This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 18 years ago by JB.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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May 20, 2008 at 3:59 pm #458419

JB
Participant

Let me provide a little context to help you understand the problem. Most of the nearby lakes have a 5-MPH speed limit. I do not recollect ever having water in the bilge when I fish those lakes (unless it rains or I put ice in the built-in cooler, which drains directly into the bilge). On the other hand, I always have water in the bilge when I go to a lake without speed limits. There is enough water that I feel compelled to turn on the bilge pump every hour or two, at which time it will pump for 15-20 seconds.I would appreciate suggestions on how to diagnose this problem.John

May 20, 2008 at 4:04 pm #458420

Scott McGehee
Participant

you could be getting some water over the back when you stop from running on plane. Sometimes that will get into the bilge from where the control cables go into the boat.

May 20, 2008 at 4:53 pm #458421

JMTFrisco
Participant

If you have a Water Pressure Gauge you might check the tubing. I had a leak and did not know what it was until I had someone look in the back while I was running to see where it was coming from. When you are running (above 5 mph) it puts pressure on the tubing and thats when you will see the leak if there is one.Jmtfrisco, Texas

May 20, 2008 at 5:01 pm #458422

fishmagnet
Participant

Small cracks aound the nipple flanges on bilge / aerator / pump-out pumps, loose hose connections, worn pump cartridge gaskets, etc can all give you very small or very large leakage issues. Over the years Ive experienced all of the above. I learned to zip-tie my engine control / electrical wires together and suspend them slightly as to keep that substantial weight off of the pumps in the bilge compt. When youre bouncing around the lake in rough water, guess what else is bouncing around down under?

May 20, 2008 at 9:03 pm #458423

ChuckFishes
Participant

Id say to make certain that the bilge area is thouroughly dry and then put the boat in the water. Pop open the hatch and take a good look inside. Check around feeling all the hoses, pumps and fittings through the hull. Once you find a wet area, trace the water trail to its source.

May 20, 2008 at 10:07 pm #458424

Curt Wilke
Participant

My solution is the opposite of ChuckFishes, I have found the best way to find a leak is to fill the bilge with water while the boat is on the trailer. If you have a hose or pump leak the water will run out of that hole in the transom. Trace the hole opening/hose that water has run out of back to the source of the leak. You may need to wiggle the hoses where they connect to a plastic pump to allow water to seep thru any cracks.

May 20, 2008 at 10:56 pm #458425

DPT2005
Participant

Reg31875, BCB response is on wrong thread. I believe that is meant for sgt93. This will not help diagnose your water leak. KentKent Charles 2002 Pantera Classic & 200 Yamaha VMax

May 21, 2008 at 2:34 am #458426

JB
Participant

Thanks for the suggestions. Ill try the on the trailer suggestion first. If that doesnt pan out, Ill enlist a friend and try the others. It will likely be a few days before I get the chance, but Ill let you know what I find. John
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