Diagnose where water is coming from

[imhuntsm]

I have a 2003 Stingray 230LX with a 350 MAG engine. Last year as I was taking it out for the year I noticed it was doing this leak in the video attached. It was coming from the back left area of the engine (standing in the boat looking to the stern) and only when the engine was running. I had my boat mechanic look at it this spring and he said he couldn’t get it to do the same thing either in the shop or out in the water. I haven’t had a chance to drop it into my lake yet, but I’m curious if you guys have any idea what could be going on here.

I fully expect to put it in the water and it to start doing this immediately, because …. Boats.

 

[alldodge]

Post a pic further away so I can get a reference of where this is

 

[nola mike]

Doesn't look subtle. Just aft of the starter on the starboard side maybe? Almost looks like from the bellhousing. Core plug? Y-pipe (seems forward of the pipe though). Can't think of any other plumbing around there if truly on the starboard side.

 

[Lou C]

it looked like it was coming out of the bellhousing, I agree with nola mike. Could be a core plug on the back side of the engine...I think there are a couple there.

5.7L (350ci) Vortec Base Marine Engine (1996 - Current)

5.7L (350ci) Vortec Base Marine Engine (1996-current Replacement)

michiganmotorz.com

looks like there are 2 core plugs in that area
did the engine ever freeze or come close to freezing?

 

[imhuntsm]

It has been winterized every year, but then wrapped and stored in the northeast in a non-climate controlled setting.

 

[Lou C]

But how did they winterize it?

 

[imhuntsm]

I’m admittedly rather naive about that. I drop it off in the fall and pick it up in the spring. Perhaps I’m too trusting

 

[imhuntsm]

Post a pic further away so I can get a reference of where this is

Yes, as others have mentioned. It is on the starboard side and appears to be aft of the starter. I can take a picture for better clarity later

 

[Lou C]

There are right ways to winterize and not so right ways, but if a core plug pushed out or rotted through that doesn't just happen for no reason, there are basically 2 reasons why:
1) improper winterization and freezing water pushed it out
2) engine was replaced and the proper brass core plugs weren't used, just steel as in an auto application in a marine raw water cooled engine they will rot out fairly quickly, even in freshwater. For raw water cooling the core plugs and head gaskets must be marine rated. In an auto application when you are running antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors it's a totally different situation.
You won't know for sure till the engine is pulled and the flywheel removed.

 

[imhuntsm]

It’s back here, this is a picture I had on my phone

 

[imhuntsm]

There are right ways to winterize and not so right ways, but if a core plug pushed out or rotted through that doesn't just happen for no reason, there are basically 2 reasons why:
1) improper winterization and freezing water pushed it out
2) engine was replaced and the proper brass core plugs weren't used, just steel as in an auto application in a marine raw water cooled engine they will rot out fairly quickly, even in freshwater. For raw water cooling the core plugs and head gaskets must be marine rated. In an auto application when you are running antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors it's a totally different situation.
You won't know for sure till the engine is pulled and the flywheel removed.

I’m afraid of the answer to this question, but it seems that the only way to fix this is to pull the engine out of the boat? Out of curiosity, any idea what a shop would charge to do something like this?

 

[imhuntsm]

Now, the other thing is. I noticed this first in the fall last year. It ran all summer without issue. As you mentioned they can rot and deteriorate, so it could happen at any point. It’s not like something that would more likely show up at the beginning of the year?

 

[imhuntsm]

I found this picture online, it looks like the water was coming out of this spot I pointed to.

 

[Lou C]

yes the engine has to come out, cost, it depends on what the labor rate is in your area.
if it happened at the end of a season, corrosion would make more sense to me but if at the beginning of a season, could have also been improper winterization.
if you wind up having to do this, it is a big job, it is hard to figure why your mechanic didn't see it.
while the engine is out:
I'd inspect the coupler, any hoses on the back side of the engine, starter,
power steering actuator, exhaust Y pipe, all this stuff can cause trouble and is very difficult to get at when the engine is installed.
it might be a big bill but this is the nature of I/Os, they are nice in some ways but in this way (engine access) can be a real pain.

 

[nola mike]

Also, that looks like far too big a leak to safely run with. Again, that's only with the engine running? If there is a core plug above the engine block drain you could try draining the block and then see if the leak takes longer to get going when you restart (the block would need to fill back up before it started up again).

 

[imhuntsm]

Yeah when I noticed it last year I got it out of the water. Mentioned it to the guys at the marina. When they looked at it this spring they weren’t able to get it to leak again in the shop or out on the water. So I’ll drop it in and see what happens. It’s just weird that it would be there last year and just gone this year

 

[alldodge]

Being that it happened after winterizing, it might to be as other say the cor plug but in most cases the block side plugs pop before the back ones. Another thing might be the power steering cooler hose, someone might have forgotten to tighten the clamp

 

[Lou C]

Good catch there!
Btw if that hose pops off the ps cooler the motor will overheat in no time & if an Alpha drive it will fill the bilge quicker than you can say oh sh!t. Happened to me back in 2013..,,

 

[bruceb58]

Buy an inspection endoscope camera that you bluetooth into your phone with and send it down there to better investigate where the water is coming from.