Water entering bilge.

[backacres]

Hi Everyone,<br /><br /> I have a 1987 Four Winns 190 Horizon, 3.0L Merc., w/Alpha 1 outdrive. I have water coming into the bilge from the bottom of the transom drain. Reading some of the previous posts, I took the advice and got down in there w/a mirror and a flashlight and sure enough, I could see it trickling in right there. I checked this once the boat was in the water, prior to starting the engine.<br /><br /> Last week, I removed the old transom drain (plastic type w/ a tube that inserts into the hole in the transom) and cleaned off the old sealant. I dried the area thoroughly, then I replaced it with a new one (same type) and sealed it with 3M Marine Grade Silicone Sealant (White) - this is what the local marina told me I needed to use. I let it cure 7 days as instructed before placing it back in the water. I thought I did a good job sealing it, even filled the screw holes with it before screwing it to the transom. Well, today after placing the boat in the water, it leaked again. Same spot, checked again before starting the engine!<br /><br /> Dissapointed... Did I use the wrong sealant?? Any place else that would leak and cause it to come out the near the bottom of the transom drain, looking like a leak from around the drain plug?? <br /><br />Apprecite any help!!!<br /><br />-Jeff

 

[milkyway]

Re: Water entering bilge.

So your boat is taking water from the water line and below since you stated that water came in even before you moved the boat. And since you took water even before you started the engine, then it can't be any loose or broken hose.<br /><br />If water has a way of getting in , it also can find a way of getting out. Pour tap water in the bilge up to the water line. Disconnect your battery so it will not activate the bilge pump. Put some color to the tap water, such as mixing it with some regular passenger car coolant, or even antifreeze so that when you watch the transom you can easily spot where the leak is coming from.<br /><br />Watch the level of the water as you pour it. Don't soak any mechanical parts, such as starter.<br /><br />Here are some specific answers given in this forum as to possible causes of water in the<br />bilge.<br /> <br />1.Did you replace the shift cable bellows when you replaced the cable? That's a common place for leaks also. The reality of it is this. YOU must find the leak or you are going to be replacing everything on the back of the boat.<br />We had a boat in the shop about 2 months ago that had been leaking for years. Pulled the engine, put the drive back on and found 4 leaks other than from the drive area. The drive area also had one leak where the exhaust Y mounted onto the transom shield. You might try getting mirrors and flashlights and if all else fails pull the engine and check as we did. "But find the leak first before you fix anything".<br /><br />2.It is probably coming in around the transom if the bellows are good<br /><br />3.I would bet on the the transom seal.<br /><br />4. check the steering tiller there is a seal and also check the speedo tube.<br /><br />FIND THE LEAK FIRST.

 

[backacres]

Re: Water entering bilge.

Thanks alot! I'll try it this week.