Water Leak

[hopps1945]

Okay, I have been trying to find a leak somewhere. I have tore the engine compartment apart so that I could find every hose clamp and fitting to check to make sure each one is tight. I have a 2000 2300V. Just sitting in the water not running I think (can't tell for sure) it takes on a small amount. But when we are running (surfing, tubing, knee boarding) it takes on a good amount of water. As long as we keep up on the bilge pump, no problem, but we are wanting to keep the boat at a dock for the summer and can't afford to have it sink if it sits for too long. My only thought is it may be one of the heater lines going to the cabin heater might have a split? The heater has not worked since we bought the boat so I thought of disconnecting the lines from the motor. Anyone else ever have any problems with this series of Tige?

Thanks!

[boardman74]

First place I would look is the packing gland. They will leak more when the shaft is spinning and less when its not. If thats not it then cap the lines to the heater and see if that resolves the problem.

[hopps1945]

Well it is not the heater lines. The first owner added a fresh water cooling kits so when I pulled one of the heater lines from the motor, out poured coolant. Also, the previous owners added the Packless Sealing System to the shaft. I recall looking at it last year but we were not running at any speed. So will have to see if I can take a look at it the next time I am out on the lake when we are cruising at some speed. If it is not that, then I am at a complete loss.....

[IDBoating]

I agree, the shaft seal sounds most likely.

If not, and if it might be a leak around a thruhull, remember that if it leaks "up" it will also leak "down". Fill the hull with a few inches of water while on the trailer and see if it leaks out anywhere. A simple old method that works quite well!

[boatwakes]

Even if there is a PSS on there, they can/will leak and is most likely the cause. The 1/4" npt nipple that screws into the graphite housing (in the bellows) is plastic and is notorious for cracking and breaking. Im the salvage diver for vessel assist in Newport and have recovered more than one boat because of those "dripless" packings, absolutely stupid when they go bad.

[hopps1945]

This is so frustrating! I'll try filling the hull with water and see what that does. It seems to be the worst at higher RPMs like when we are surfing. The PSS on this one does not have any of the plastic or 1/4" nipple. I may just replace it as it has probably been on there for 5-6 years. I believe the previous owners put it on when they bought the boat. (about 6 years ago). I read in the pamphlet that they should be replaced every 6 years. I think I am also going to disconnect the water to the shower. The hot water side was already disconnected when we bought it (looks like it got caught in the belt and cut it up - Still have never found where it was suppose to hook up....). I do recall that the fitting for the cold water felt like plastic but wasn't able to see back in there to see what kind of shape it was in. I'll just pull it and plug it. I'll probably strip the engine compartment (again) and have a buddy of mine go out with me and we can see what we can see - hopefully something..... Have a free mooring space calling my name and would love to use it sometime this summer!

[IDBoating]

The PSS on this one does not have any of the plastic or 1/4" nipple. I may just replace it as it has probably been on there for 5-6 years.

PSS recommends that the rubber bellows be replaced. The stainless and carbon rings need replacement only if scored or worn, which you can inspect when you remove everything to replace the bellows. Then just buy the components you actually need.

FWIW, do a search here on my experiences with the "dry" PSS seal which you have. PSS specifically recommends their "wet" version (with the fitting and water supply hose) for boats that go on plane, but Tige was/is using the dry version anyway. Mine was making an awful racket (sound clip in one of the threads you'll find) and when I called PSS they shipped me the correct, "wet" version for half the normal price. Replaced it and sound has never occurred again. My PSS is also absolutely bone dry, not even a drop of water coming off of it at rest or full RPM's.

I have heard rumors that Tige has now switched to the "wet" version in production but have not confirmed that myself.

[hopps1945]

Thanks WABoating, I'll look into that. Well found the leak. I hooked up the hose here in the driveway. And let it run at an idle and poked around but couldn't find anything. Though I noticed the water level slowly rising around the center trough plug. Shut it down and looked around some more and the sunlight just happen to be perfect and i noticed a small trickle of water coming from somewhere under the starboard side exhaust pipe. Started feeling around and found a small stream coming out of under the bottom of it. It is the section that runs down the right side of the motor covered in the marine carpet. The carpet was extremely brittle and once I pulled it away I found the leak. The pipe feels like fiberglass, is that correct? The next question is how the heck am I going to get it out of there???

[hopps1945]

I'll post some pictures later. So it looks like it had been fixed one time before. Once I cleaned off the old repair, a chunk of the original fiberglass was missing. (Very close to the elbow of the exhaust pipe) Cleaned it all up and did some fiberglass work. My next question. It was carpet wrapped. Does it need this? if so, what is the purpose of it? Can I go without it? Looks like we can be back on the water for Sunday!

[hopps1945]

Leak is fixed! Never had to touch the bilge pump once last night! So happen to get that fixed. Now onto the next item.