Strange way to find a leak???

Todd28

Cadet
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
25
Just wanted to share an experience i had today while washing my boat. It was in the mid 60s outside and i was rinsing off the toons with cold water from my garden hose. I began to hear a hissing sound from the front of my right toon. began to track it down and found that it was coming from a weld on one of the splashguards ( i think thats what they are called ). So i sprayed soap bubbles on the spot and saw no bubbles, hissing stopped. so i sprayed it again with cold water a little later and it returned. I think the cold water cooled the toon down to where it was sucking in the air. Is this possible? :confused:
 

Jeep Man

Commander
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
2,803
Re: Strange way to find a leak???

Just wanted to share an experience i had today while washing my boat. It was in the mid 60s outside and i was rinsing off the toons with cold water from my garden hose. I began to hear a hissing sound from the front of my right toon. began to track it down and found that it was coming from a weld on one of the splashguards ( i think thats what they are called ). So i sprayed soap bubbles on the spot and saw no bubbles, hissing stopped. so i sprayed it again with cold water a little later and it returned. I think the cold water cooled the toon down to where it was sucking in the air. Is this possible? :confused:

Yes, change in temperature will change the air pressure in the toon.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Strange way to find a leak???

Absolutely, we had to go to vented plugs at work because of the huge fluctuations in the tubes air pressures.

I actually use something like that when I am fixxing boats at work, you can't weld a sealed chamber because the air expands and blows out so, oxygen in weld bad, I will hit the tube with an air hose to "shrink" the air and create a vacuum.

Find a decent welder and have it fixxed, you may want to put some air in the tubes and check them with your soap water, no more than 3-5 psi, this is how you actually find leaks.

you can also have someone drive the boat a few feet then hit the brakes hard, put your ear on the tube and listen for sloshing, if there is any water in your tubes you will hear it.
 

Todd28

Cadet
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
25
Re: Strange way to find a leak???

got it at the shop now, my welder can weld aluminum but doesnt have experience with toons. I'll make sure he takes the plugs out before welding, mine are not vented. Thanks!
 

EGlideRider

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Messages
1,000
Re: Strange way to find a leak???

You are to be commended for being so observant........
 
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