Liquid coming out of bilge drain

[octave11]

im new here so i will do my best. i have a 1988 four winns with a 5.7 omc cobra. i winterized it according to the service manual. i live in utah so its obviously very cold in the winter. about a month ago i noticed a ice sickle coming out of the drain. i broke it off and cleared the hole. a new one formed soon after. i did the same thing. it warmed up a bit and i noticed it dripping so i put a pan under to catch the fluid. it smells heavy of gas and is freezing in the pan. i pulled off the cover and it really smelt of gas. looked at the bilge and engine and could not see and obvious leaks. the dripping has almost slowed to a stop. from what i understand gas does not freeze even with ethanol. any ideals would be great. im differently a novice.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

Right off hand I would suspect its water draining out of the floatation foam, and its picking up a bit of oil or gas residue from the bilge. How well is the boat covered it could be a bit of rain or ice and snow melt to.

 

[octave11]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

Right off hand I would suspect its water draining out of the floatation foam, and its picking up a bit of oil or gas residue from the bilge. How well is the boat covered it could be a bit of rain or ice and snow melt to.

its got the canvas cover on and a above ground pool cover over that. i brush off any snow or rain as it falls. there is a small amount moisture getting through but i have now panned about three quarts of this heavy gas smelling liquid. if the gas tank was leaking at this point would i know by know? thanks

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

You may have some water in your foam and it's gradually weeping out and on through the plug. Put the drainage in a clear container. If there is gas you will see it on top of the water.

 

[octave11]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

You may have some water in your foam and it's gradually weeping out and on through the plug. Put the drainage in a clear container. If there is gas you will see it on top of the water.

right now its draining into an oil pan and the liquid is frozen. ill change containers and see what happens. thanks

 

[etracer68]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

See if you can collect some in a shot glass, or small clear glass, and then look for seperation. If your bilge is dirty, it will be hard to find a leak, if you have one. Sometimes also if the cover is covering the gas tank vent, it may smell under the cover a bit, thats why its important to have the cover well vented, besides mold.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

right now its draining into an oil pan and the liquid is frozen. ill change containers and see what happens. thanks

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... That is Water....

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

ayuh,.... that is water....

yup!

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

Your plight is all too familiar to me, as I have suffered the same fate. You have provided two significant clues: the age of the boat and the smell of gasoline. The only missing bit of information is the nature of the fuel tank material, which is very likely aluminum. An aluminum fuel tank which is 25 years old has reached the end of its useful life in the unfriendly confines of your boat. A leaking fuel tank is thus the prime suspect as the source of the gasoline smell. The leak begins as a pinhole, so small that the quantity of gasoline draining through it is negligible, yet enough to create a powerful smell. I too searched for alternative sources for the smell, hoping against hope that it would be anything but the fuel tank. Maybe you'll be the lucky one ... I wasn't.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

So we have a hull with water logged foam and a leaking fuel tank? I hope not, hopefully the tank is leaking from a loose connection, or a gasket on the fuel sender.

 

[85 Champ]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

I had water logged foam on an 85 bass boat. My first boat in fact. Check the tire pressure on the trailer while the boat is sitting on it. If it has the recommended pressure but looks low you probably have a water logged foam issue. It will also feel very heavy when towing.

 

[octave11]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

Ayuh,.... That is Water....

i would just assume your right if it wasnt for the crazy gas smell in combination with green, yellow, and brown colors in the liquid. maybe like one responder said its water passing through a dirty bilge. i do run a tight ship though.
thanks

 

[octave11]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

thanks for the responses!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

i would just assume your right if it wasnt for the crazy gas smell in combination with green, yellow, and brown colors in the liquid. maybe like one responder said its water passing through a dirty bilge. i do run a tight ship though.
thanks

Ayuh,... My only point is, the Ice is the Water,....

Gas, oil, 'n antifreeze, don't turn solid...

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

Ayuh,... My only point is, the Ice is the Water,....

Gas, oil, 'n antifreeze, don't turn solid...

YUP!! Again

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

When it warms up a bit you can look a bit deeper into it and see.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Liquid coming out of bilge drain

Please don't start your boat before the gas fumes are eliminated and the problem is fixed, whatever it turns out to be.