Cockpit shower leak? #@$#@$@

[blzrul]

We boat year-round (cold though it gets) and have owned our used boat for about 6 months. It's our first boat, a 34' single-screw diesel trawler.

Yesterday I opened the lazarette to get some lines out and noted WATER ... probably about 15 gallons based on the # buckets I filled since my hand pump was frozen #@##@.

My guess is that there is a leak from the cockpit shower on the transom wall, simply because the water is in that area. We traced the supply lines back to the pump and there is no leakage and the lines themselves are intact and seem almost new, so my best guess is that it's in the shower unit itself. We pulled out the spray nozzle and it's not leaking so naturally that means we'll need to take the thing apart.

I've turned off the pump on the boat, and drained those lines, so I don't expect to see any more leakage. Before I start dismantling the thing, does anyone have any words of wisdom or warning? I assume my problem is going to be at the spot where the incoming hot and cold water lines meet the nozzle...sorry, I don't know the technical terms!

Worst case I can clamp those line and never use that wash; I was disappointed that there are not shutoff valves, would have made my life easier.

 

[Northern Lights]

Re: Cockpit shower leak? #@$#@$@

I had a leak on mine, the way the unit was mounted to the gunnel where the hoses attached to 2 90 ells they hit the hull. This put them in a bind and they would leak. I shut off the supply valves and made a spacer remounted the unit. Good luck

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cockpit shower leak? #@$#@$@

Ayuh,... I would imagine it Froze, 'n Burst a fitting somewhere, 'cause ya didn't Drain the system...

If ya Don't take it apart, but let it thaw out, then turn the pump back on, the leak should be quite Obvious...

 

[sasto]

Re: Cockpit shower leak? #@$#@$@

If your sure your water pump cycling on and off due to a leak in the system I would add some food coloring to the water tank. I have done this to aid in locating hard to find water leaks. Good luck.

 

[blzrul]

Re: Cockpit shower leak? #@$#@$@

If your sure your water pump cycling on and off due to a leak in the system I would add some food coloring to the water tank. I have done this to aid in locating hard to find water leaks. Good luck.

Good idea - I'm sure it's in the "box" since when I bought the boat the broker turned on the water and it leaked...we tightened the nozzle and that stopped it. It's probably a cheezy assembly. I had drained those lines before the cold snap, what happened is just my bad luck: the water pump indicator light on the DC panel has burned out. So we thought the pump was off, but it was really on. Out of 20 indicator lights, it would have to be that one, right? So now I not only have to correct the leak but the light.

I like the food color idea, will give it a shot and make sure I have some food color stuck in my tool box on board, because you never know!

 

[seabob4]

Re: Cockpit shower leak? #@$#@$@

The water pump indicator light simply shows that the switch is turned on. It is not the pump that lights that up, it is the switch. You should have assured yourself the switch was in the off position.

Wait until you get a little warmer weather, turn the pump on, then stick your head into not fun places and see where the leak is coming from...

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Cockpit shower leak? #@$#@$@

So now I not only have to correct the leak but the light.

The good news is, if your panel is anything like mine, you can buy replacement LED's at West Marine for a couple bucks a piece. Not a huge deal to replace, just make sure the whole system is powered down BEFORE you remove the panel if you have any 120V going to/from it.