Lots of water

[89vip]

Ok so I went out for the first time this year and along with several other problems I noticed this and need so help.

I have an 89 OMC 2.3 liter and noticed that after pulling the plug that alot of water came out, I didnt think too much of it and came home. Well today I go out to clean and noticed a piece of paper blocking the plug hole, I remove the paper and out comes more water.

Then once inside the boat I notice that water has been in the storage locker in the floor of my boat.

Facts: We only ran the boat for about 2.5 hours, we didnt even get out of the boat tho swim, didnt take on any waves, etc, etc.

I know there should be a little water come out once the plug is pulled but nothing like I saw right.

Help please, I dont want to sink the boat this weekend

 

[Don S]

Re: Lots of water

You mean you took a boat out the first time of the season and didn't even open the engine cover to see if things were ok?
Don't you start it up on muffs and check the engine compartment for leaks, or check the oil or do any maintenance?
Don't you have a bilge pump with an automoatic float switch.

Well today I go out to clean and noticed a piece of paper blocking the plug hole, I remove the paper and out comes more water.

---------------------------------

 

[89vip]

Re: Lots of water

With the muffs I noticed no water, the oil was clean when I changed it about 1 week ago and it was clean when i checked after taking the boat out. I didnt think about opening the hatch while out on the water to check things but on muffs it was doing fine. As far as the float swith not sure what you are talking about. The bilge pump was working while out on the water because I used it twice to make sure everything was ok.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Lots of water

I see your from the midwest, was your boat outside all winter? trim out and raidse that bow way high and let it set overnight than take it out and see if you get water.

 

[89vip]

Re: Lots of water

ya oklahoma, we have had alot of rain, the boat was out in with a cover during the reain I suppose water could have got in that way, but I have been in it since the rain has been over and didnt noticed any water in the engile compartment. As far as the boat being out this winter no, it was in a heated garage.I will raise the bow tonight and see whats up tomorrow, IF MY PUMP IS WORKING PROPERLY, IT SHOULD HANDLE THE WATER RIGHT. I cant get it until next week to be looked at and would like to take it out this weekend.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Lots of water

It seems no matter how good a cover you have rain and snow always finds a way. If your boat was stored level than the water was just laying in the belly away from the bilge and when you floated the boat the water made it's way to the rear.

 

[89vip]

Re: Lots of water

thanks, maybe that was the case I will see what it does tomorrow i guess, wish me luck it may be at the bottom of the lake come sunday

 

[blg2007]

Re: Lots of water

Have you checked all the bellows? Trim the unit all the way up, look between the transom and the unit. I believe you will have three bellows. One for the exhaust, one for the driveshaft and one for the steering cable. The exhaust bellow is easily visible, its the lowest one. (bellows are a rubber corrigated hose). Right above that will be the driveshaft bellow. And above that is the steering cable bellow. Inspect them all, look for cracks or holes. If you see any they need to be replaced. If the exhaust is cracked its not that big of a deal if your going to trailer it to the lake everytime but if your going to leave it docked it needs to be replaced.If the driveshaft bellow is cracked your probably going to be pulling the unit, this will allow water to get to the gimble bearing and u-joints rusting them up. The steering cable bellow will also allow water into the boat, so check it.

If none of these are the issue, check your plug itself. Is it working properly? Compressing all the way in, is the rubber in good shape? You may be able to replace the hose and fix the problem.

Hope I have started to help you, if these do not solve your problem update the question and I will see what else I can come up with

Happy Boating!

 

[89vip]

Re: Lots of water

i will inspect the bellows first thing in the morning, and see waht i have. This could be the case. I will post after checking. Thanks

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Lots of water

No steering bellow, just shift cable and driveshaft bellows, the exhaust bellow is always full of water, it's going to be pretty hard to see anything wrong with bellows unless they are totally wasted in which case your boat would have taken on alot of water and it won't stop either. But neverthless definately keep the engine cover off tomorrow if you can and keep close eye on the bellows area way back in the bilge against the transom. In fact if you do have a leaking bellow you'll start taking water with the boat just sitting on trailer backed down the ramp. Also another source can be your block and manifold drains so watch for that too and the egine mounted waterpump has a weep hole if the seal went bad, loose hose clamps ect.

 

[89vip]

Re: Lots of water

Thanks you have been a big help. Can I run it on muffs and be able to inspect bellows? If so I may try that first..

 

[Maclin]

Re: Lots of water

Running out of the water on muffs will not show a bellows leak. The outdrive has to be immersed in water before the drive bellows would let water in.

 

[blg2007]

Re: Lots of water

Running out of the water on muffs will not show a bellows leak. The outdrive has to be immersed in water before the drive bellows would let water in.

Maclin is right, sorry I forgot to mention that earlier. Also I was thinking of a mercrusier outdrive with the steering cable, my mistake

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Lots of water

The only way to properly inspect the bellows is to pull the outdrive. Even with the drive up you may not be able to see a bad spot. There's no way around it. Removing the drive, even though a pita is regular maintenance to grease u-joints & to inspect the gimbal bearing. If the u-joint bellow is bad it's time for a new gimbal bearing & possibly u-joints. You can try this. Put the plug in & fill the bilge with water. If no water leaks out, then your leak is probably from the above mentioned bellows.

 

[89vip]

Re: Lots of water

Ok so I ran the boat yesterday and after getting on the water and running for about 10 minutes I lifted the hatch to find water pouring everywhere.

After replacing my thermostat and putting the gasket on I quesss I had bent the gasket so water was getting out through the thermostat housing, if I would have looked earlier I quess I could have answered my own question.

So I ordered a new gasket and should have it here in a few days..

Thanks for all the help.

 

[89vip]

Re: Lots of water

Ok so after a week and 1/2 of rain and then vacation and work and life, I got a chance to put on the new thermostat gasket. Put the boat on muffs and no water. Hooray.....

Take the boat to local lake today, get on water, starts great and idles great get ready to pick up the wife and kids at the dock and the boat wants to die. I get it running again and take across the water boat boat will only go about 8 mphs and pushing about 1500 rpms anymore and it dies out..

Whats up now, just for giggles.

I have given in an am taken the boat to a mechanic monday and jsut cough up the money to take care of the problems, whatever they may be..

 

[freeboats]

Re: Lots of water

I would check the fuel filter water separator

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Lots of water

hey, where you from 89vip?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Lots of water

Your boat took on that much water from a leaking t-stat gasket? I find that hard to believe.