How to find and fix a leak?

[shg327]

Hey All<br /><br />I have a 96 Bayliner Capri 1850 series (18.5') with an I/O Mercruiser Alpha 1 3.0L. I've owned it for about 3 years now and take it out about 5-6 times a season. When I first got it, it was water tight! I could go all day and then pull the drain plug and not a drop(as long as there was no swimming that day). Last summer, I noticed water would collect in the bilge area pretty quickly to the point that I needed to run the bilge every 30 min or so. I'm guessing maybe about 3 gallons an hour(shrug).<br /><br />I need advice on how to look for a leak. If you mention thinks like transom and bellows and stuff, explain what that is, as I'm a newbie to boat lingo and probably wouldn't know what your talking about(cars, I can handle, boats are new ;p).<br /><br />I haven't hit anything or drug it on the boat ramp, I'm guessing something is working loose near the drive unit as I pull friends/family on ski's and tube alot (constant S lines in the water).<br /><br />Thanks for your advice

 

[blouderback]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

Off the top of my head, I'm gonna say leaking bellows. Bellows are the accordian looking rubber hose thingys that go between your boat and the outdrive, housing things like shift cables, exhaust, U-Joints and the like. <br /><br />One way to find the leak is to fill the bilge with water from the garden hose, let it sit and see if you can see water coming out. I'll bet it's the bellows, which, after 10 years, are probably dried out and have cracked (not too uncommon).

 

[QC]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

I would first try and determine if this is happening only when she is running. That much water sounds like it is being pumped in from somewhere.<br /><br />I'd try and go launch her without starting it and see if she takes any water on after a little while just floating. It may be a lot easier to do the opposite . . . Run her on the muffs (let us know if you don't know what these are) out of the water and see if you get any water in the bilge just running.<br /><br />Either would narrow it a lot. There are a couple of other threads about leaks active today in this section. Take a look at those as well.

 

[QC]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

Wouldn't you have to fill the bilge waaaaaay up to get it to leak out the bellows?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

steve if the outdrive has not been off for service, since you've had the boat it is long overdue. you are suppose to have the outdrive serviced every year. you or the service dept. take the out drive off the boat, greases all the moving parts, checks the bellows. the bellows are rubber and keep you from sinking. those rubber accordion are the only thing between you and the deep blue sea.

 

[blouderback]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

Originally posted by QC:<br /> Wouldn't you have to fill the bilge waaaaaay up to get it to leak out the bellows?

Yeah, I guess you're right. I never actually did this, but it sounds like a good idea

 

[shg327]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

Thanks for the tips, I found a website that suggested using positive air pressure inside the boat and brushing soapy water on suspect areas on the outside. I think I can get a good enough airlock with some ducktap and boat cover.<br /><br />But I think I need to go ahead and do as tashasdaddy suggests and take it in for full service. I have done standard maintenance such as lubes and oil, but the outdrive has not been broke down and really looked at. Hopefully it won't break the bank too bad

 

[bamadave]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

Welcome to IBOATS.<br />I always laugh when someone suggests filling up the bilge (i.e. the boat) to find a leak. In your boat, you would have to submerge most of the engine to find the leak and probably it still would not come out the bellows. Take it to the shop and have it fixed before you do damage to the engine or boat. I will bet that the bellows has not been replaced since the boat was new and is overdue for replacement. The bellows is the accordian looking hose you can see when you trim the lower unit up to the trailer position and look where the lower unit connects to the boat.<br /> Word of caution since you said you are a newbie, things in a boat DON'T get better, they get worse, when you have a problem. Usually, if repaired quickly, the problem doesn't cost much. But, if left alone, you are going to spend more, much more, than if repaired when you first noticed it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[blouderback]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

I always laugh when people laugh at the advice I give. <br /><br />

 

[blouderback]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

A fellow boater friend of mine used this method to find a leaky drain plug, so it does actually work, in some instances.

 

[bamadave]

Re: How to find and fix a leak?

LOL, I concede, in SOME instances, maybe. But some newbies might try it based on SOMEONE SAID IT WAS OK, and destroy their toy without knowing any better. So, in my humble opinion, when offering help, consider what could happen if advice is taken to heart. Not trying to bust balls.