Water in Bilge TS Help

[Zackman]

I have a 99 350 Mag with a Bravo 3 drive.

This last winter was the first time that I winterized the boat, which included pulling all the blue plugs, replacing all the old o-rings, and filling the engine with antifreeze. Last season, when I would pull the drain plug, I would get at most a teaspoon of water. Now when I pull the drain plug I get a good cup or two of water. I've run the engine on muffs and cannot see any signs of leaks from the blue plugs and hose connection points.

Also, in the Fall (December) I pulled the drive and inspected the bellows and it was still very pliable and no signs of cracking.

Can anyone suggest a good method for trouble shooting the cause of the water leaking into the bilge?

 

[Coors]

Re: Water in Bilge TS Help

Are you talking just in the bilge? Could some rain water got in?

 

[Zackman]

Re: Water in Bilge TS Help

Sorry for the confusion. The boat is a 22 foot cuddy that is kept in an indoor storage building on the trailer. The water in the bilge occurs while running the boat in the water.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Water in Bilge TS Help

Do you come in and out over the transom on the water? Shoot, I drag in more than a cup or two in a day just from periodically taking a p..., I mean swim...

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in Bilge TS Help

IF it actually is a leak, it could be at any fitting on the boat. Not just the engine, transom sheild, bellows etc.
Any thruhull fitting, any vent for air could have water splashing in, trim tab cylinders, thrubolts for swimsteps, you name it.
You are just going to have to get everything dry and start looking.