Water Strainer? Leaking...?

[travis5550]

So I was out on the lake this weekend and noticed this water strainer thing dripping water out the front . It appears it has been doing it for some time, as the engine mount right below it has rust on it. It looks like the plastic base just screws on and may be loose, but I couldn't get it to budge. Don't know if I'll need a replacement or just some sealer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[travis5550]

I found the part on their website:
18016 - 1-1/4" 20 Mesh Strainer: Screen #14214, O-ring # 11803, Bowl #14380, and Optional Bracket #14238

So now my concern is how to stop the leak. My boat is sitting in the water and I can't easily get it on a trailer without help from a friend (no tow vehicles). I also noticed a lot of water in the bilge (1.5 inches), but I think it was from rain leaking through the cover. Can I try to unscrew this thing while it's in the water?

[laserfish]

Only if it is well above the waterline. If it is below you will have more than 1.5 inches in your boat in a hurry!!

[travis5550]

It's definitely above the water line...mounted around the top of the back seat (above the engine). do you think I would definitely be safe to try messing with it, or am I going to start sinking fast?

[lightning59]

The gray plastic barbed 90 degree fittings going into the strainer are prone to leaking. On my boat the only thing I could figure was the raw water hoses put strain on the 90's and finally broke the seal at the strainer. Maybe pull the strainer out and try to reseal, or unscrew the bowl and check it. Hope that helps you.

[kko]

Yes you can unscrew it on the water no problems. have done it hundreds oftimes.my guess is the oring is missing. take it off and take a look.

[travis5550]

thanks guys...i will give it a shot the next time i'm out there. i went to check again, and the bilge is still nice and dry after vacuuming it out the other day. it appears it only drips a bit for a few mins after the engine has recently run. i guess that means the main source of water in my bilge was from rain water seeping through the cover... I feel so bad that she has to sit in the water and get rained on, but I'm still stuck on the waiting list for a covered slip, own no tow vehicles, and need to save up for a lift

[boatwakes]

If it's leaking from the elbow, you will need to use either thread tape or pipe dope to seal the NPT threads on that fitting. If it's leaking from the gasket where the bowl threads to the housing, double check that the rubber o-ring is sitting square in the housing body and not pinched or kinked. Don't worry about pulling it off while in the water, you can shove a rag or a plastic bag into the gusher to keep it subdued until you get it doped up. You're bilge will have no problem handling the flow.

[Wickedcummins]

damn in the water all the time I hope the hull has some sort of extra protection

[Ewok]

I was in your boat "so to speak" with no tow vehicle. Then I got on forums and learned all the ways a boat could sink and it freaked me out a little so I looked and bought a 4runner. It's small enough for my wife but tows 7,000 lbs and it's pretty good on gas when not towing, 22 hwy, 18 city, 12.5 towing.

[ouydown]

damn in the water all the time I hope the hull has some sort of extra protection