Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

[Neilmac]

Hi,
I have a Volvo Penta AQ175A with a DP290 out drive.I have been running her thru the winter in the harbour to keep the batteries topped up but after running the engine I get about 4/5 galls of water in the bilge. I can hear it dripping from somewhere right below the rear of the engine were it joins the out drive but cannot see it with a mirror or a borescope! Once pumped out it does not reappear untill I run the engine again so I assume it is raw cooling water leaking back after running the engine but where is it comming from ? I discounted the bellows as this would be a constant flow so I am thinking it's where the cooling water is supposed to exit through the transom and the out-drive any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

Regards

Neil

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

Until you can figure where the leak is, there's not much we can do. It sounds like your on the right track however by looking at the exhaust system.

Is the engine Fresh water cooled (antifreeze)? if so it could be the heat exchanger. Just guessing

 

[Neilmac]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

Tks captmello,
It's funny when you type a question and you go back and read it you see the lack of usefull info. The cooling system is raw sea water so ther's no antifreeze or stored cooling water.
You are right I have to find out where the water is coming from before I can fix it.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

Have you checked for a cracked block? Is there water in the oil? You might have slit a water hose also. Check all your connection, and run your hand along the hoses after it runs to feel for wetness.

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

I was going to say check the seal at the PDS bearing, but that would also require a leaky bellows. It just sounds like the leak I had on mine...location and sort of vague, hard to pin down. Im wondering if the bellows/seal could be leaking in such a way that it would only happen when running/moving. I know that when mine was leaking, it would take on water sitting at the pier, sounds like yours doesnt.

Of course, if this just up and started suddenly, and with the weather, Id worry about freeze related issues as well.

 

[Neilmac]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

Tks Guys, will check all of the above at the w/e.We're getting + temps at the moment so it feels a lot warmer and all the snow and ice has melted so not so precarious getting aboard.
Sounds like It's dripping right under bell housing but just can't see it

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

Sounds like It's dripping right under bell housing but just can't see it

Stick a digital camera under there and shoot a few shots in the general direction. I have found lots of leaks using one.

 

[Neilmac]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ175a Water in bilge

Thanks Don, will try the digital camera as my head is too big to go past the exhaust risers
Hope you all have a Great new Year