Building Alot of Water Often

[Q7idrvr]

Hi,
I recently moved up to a 2010 Tahoe Q7i from a 1980 16' Starcraft 50 HP O/B. The Starcraft constantly had a minor amount of water to bilge out (due to rivets) but no where near the amount of accumulation of the Tahoe. I would say there is about 1-2 gallons every 30-45 minutes accumulating in the Tahoe. Is this normal? Last weekend I parked in a marina slip for about 2-3 hours for lunch, and there was probably 4 gallons to bilge. Where is the water entering the boat? From the bellows? Do the bellows normally leak a little or should it be water tight, no leakage?

P.S. Ive had the Tahoe about three weeks and I've been following the break in procedure because the engine is new. Due to rough lake conditions, I've only attained 35 mph a couple times, so my speed has varied between 20-30 mph (if that makes a difference).

 

[Maclin]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

The bellows must be water tight, no tolerance. Taking on water while sitting needs to be addressed.

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Can't speak to the cause but that much water is NOT normal.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Red Flag my friend. You know what never happens? A boat starts leaking less. Find the source of the leak, likely the bellows or any thru-hull fittings.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

If the boat is in the water now..... I would be pulling it out ASAP.........

3 to 4 gallons in a couple hours..... Not good.... specialy for a 2010 boat

Proly a bellows leaking.

Do you have a warrenty?

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

I agree it must be bellows. I had a bellows leak that only leaked when the drive was trimmed up. when I stopped to swim I ran the pump and water came out. I always trim the drive down when I stop to make sure it isn't in the way for swimming. When I checked for leaks nothing. One day I went to the dock and it was shallow and windy so I trimmed up to avoid hitting anything on the bottom if the wind turn us around and low and behold I heard the leak and saw where it was coming from. I left it trimmed down for the trip back to our ramp and no water came in.

 

[QC]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

1) Anytime a U-joint bellows leaks the gimbal bearing must be inspected. No exceptions.

2) We don't know what it is yet even though a bellows is a likely culprit for that much water.

3) Need to consider all possibilities. A member recently had a speedo tube leaking that was causing significant water.

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Anyone see any reason I couldn't just put the main drain plug in and fill the boat with water. I believe this model is all fiberglass, and the under seat coolers drain along the hull, under floor to bilge area anyway. Could trim the lower unit up and down. Seems like that could rule out a bellow leak or any hard to see cracks in the hull bottom. Or does it need to be in the water for the displacement pressure to reveal the leak?

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

But that might require raising the water level in the bridge area so high the bottom of engine could submerge.... I'll have to look at that...

 

[QC]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

You don't want to fill the bilge to bellows height!!! That will fill the cavity with water whether or not you have a bellows leak.

Filling the bilge some will eliminate the plug itself and any other thru hulls that are that low. You inspect the bellows by looking at it externally up and down. Check the clamps etc. If the boat has never been pulled apart, or the drive hasn't been completely off it is odd that the bellows would be bad. With that said, it could be bad from brand spanking new too.

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

How bout putting the boat in the water, grab a flashlight and start crawling around. Very carefully look at any place where the drive goes through the transom. Start the engine and inspect any and all rubber connections in the exhasut system and any hoses.
If the boat is in the water and you have a leak somewhere forward in the boat, look in the bilge, you should see the water trickling down the botom of the boat and into the bilge.
Crawl around the bottoom of the boat when it's on the trailer and look for any holes, big scratches, etc in the hull.
The way you descrbe it the leak HAS TO BE somewhere at or below the water line.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

If you say this engine is new, etc, then let the warranty on this boat take care of it if it is still in effect.

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Thank you for all the input!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

its a 2010 and your going thru a break-in proceedure? did you buy this as new old stock from the dealer? if so, take it back, have them fix it.

 

[cgd7777777]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Spray the everything in the boat with FELX SEAL from the infomercials!
I saw they put a screen door in a boat and it didnt leak!

IS your plug in?

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Yes, check that several times before putting in... Always!!!

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Used boat, new engine. Prior owner missed winterizing before freeze. Cracked block, new engine from mercury. 260HP 5.0 MPI. The boat is absolutely imaculent inside and out! All my friends and fellow boaters think its a new 2012!!! All electronics work. Side carpet clean as new! Seat covers good as new! Engine compartment spotless!!! No scratches anywhere inside and out or above waterline! Only negative is bottom of boat has a few scratches and gashes. I'm very maticulous with upkeep and maintenance of my machines, so I plan to have the bottom cleaned and gel-coated this winter. This was my plan before purhasing the boat due to the absolute honey of a purchase price!!! I'm in Texas, but I drove to Alabama for this boat. Dealer I purchased from has been excellent (especially with my anal personality and the amount of times I've called them back with questions), and fortunately the dealer I work with in my home city is excellent!!!! I'll post when I find out where leak is. Taking in for after break-in oil and check next week... Thanks again for all the input from anyone!!!!

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Spray the everything in the boat with FELX SEAL from the infomercials!
I saw they put a screen door in a boat and it didnt leak!

IS your plug in?

Never heard of Flex Seal, but I don't believe that would resolve my problem. Its gotta be 1 of the following: 1. Loose cooling water line on the engine (which I'm going to check this weekend), 2. Leaking transom seal (also this weekend), 3. Leaking bellows (inspected yesterday, and the material seems very sturdy and in good conditions, but viewing is limited and I couldn't see a tear in the flex tubbing material. I couldn't see or feel the aft bellows clamp, but I was able check the transom end clamp and it seemed secure; But I've never changed a bellows so I'll need the shop to thourgholy check the bellows.... And ultimately everything.

 

[QC]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

I couldn't see or feel the aft bellows clamp, but I was able check the transom end clamp and it seemed secure

Are you sure that was the U-Joint bellows and not the exhaust bellows? There are actually three bellows, shift cable (tiny), exhaust (bigger) and the U-joint (biggest) and the highest, so hardest to reach. I haven't played with an Alpha for a bit, but I can't imagine not being able to feel the drive side clamp. Anybody else played with one recently? I think you should be able to touch the entire thing.

BTW, the exhaust bellows is of no concern for water entering into the boat.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Building Alot of Water Often

Never heard of Flex Seal, but I don't believe that would resolve my problem.

The flex seal comment was a joke. Don't get that stuff anywhere near your boat.