Water coming in under dash!!!!

[scbackpacker]

Accelerating boat to plane out everything was going fine. Motor was running good RPMs looked good. Trimming up to top speed an I felt water on my leg. I looked down and water was pouring in under the dash. My grand baby looked at her granna and told her that I knocked a hole in the boat when I docked to pick her up. I knew that I hadn't knocked a hole the boat because it just bumped the bump guard. Anyway I turned right around and put the boat on the trailer and just fished off the bank. Idling I couldn't see any water but as soon as I accelerated water would pour in and it seemed that the faster I went the more water. I did look and there was no hole. Any ideas?

 

[Don S]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

Check to see if the hose going from the drive to the speedometer is disconnected or damaged. It works on water pressure to indicate speed.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

...check the sensing tube for your speedometer!!!!

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

Thanks Don S and EddiePetty. I will check that 1st thing in the morning.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

when you got the water did ya happen to look at the instrumentation? I mean thats kinda why they are there.
when you rehook the speedo tube secure it with a wire tie.
occasionally if not winterized properly water can get trapped in the tube and freeze and split them.

 

[85volvosunbirdman]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

Thanks I think you just sovled a year long mystery on my boat. I use my gps for speed. seedo never worked and i got water there too.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

Yes I always look at my instruments. I've got a new prop and I was watching the RPMs very closely. Speedometer was reading 40 MPH when I noticed the water coming in. I have to stand up to see over the bow so I didn't notice the water until I felt the water hit my leg.
How do I winterize the speedometer tube? Unhook both ends and blow air though it get all the water out?

 

[Don S]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

You don't. Normally that tube is not full of water. Mostly air that compresses with water pressure. You should blow the tube out before you hook it up to the speedometer. You don't want water in it.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

So I need to take both ends loose and get all the water out. Repair the leak and put it back together? Does this use something like a differential pressure or like a dip tube?

 

[jrampey]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

No need to disconnect at the engine... Its a pitot tube open at that end. If you run your finger down the front edge of the lower unit you'll find a small hole down near the prop... That's the other end! AS you cut thru the water the water passing over the lower unit will push into this hole and build up pressure in the tube going to the speedo. If the speedo end is open - water will fill the tube and run out on you're leg. So before you reconnect do blow some air thru the tube from the console end. If you get it all out and get a good seal the water wont fill the tube again. The pressure built up while cruising will push the water back out as soon as you stop.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: Water coming in under dash!!!!

That's what it was. Tubing came loose. I cut the stretched end off and pushed it back on. I didn't blow though it but I will. I'm going to put a tie wrap on it to hold it like a clamp. If it come loose again I'll change the fittings to swagelock fittings.