Where is my leak coming from?

[jklaus]

I recently bought a 2000 21i and have to run the bilge fairly regularily. It seems it doesnt take on too much water just while sitting in the water, seems more when being used, even when no water is taken in from the front.

Question is, what has typically been found to bring in water? Leak from drive shaft, or from other fittings like fins, shaft holder, rudder, or from water intake/exhaust?

Suggestions as to where to start looking.

Thanks, Jeff

[chpthril]

I would look closely at all of the hoses, raw water pump, and circulation pump as the will have water flowing through them with engine running/under way. Also check the exhaust risers and bellows, water goes through them to cool them.

I would put the boat in dry, and let it sit while i looked all over the bilge for water, if none found, start it up and just let it idle while still looking. If stll no water, take it out for a spin and stop and check every couple of mins. Hope you find a simple fix.

[dogbert]

Your boat most likely has packing material that seals the shaft where it goes through the hull. It's probably never been replaced. If you've never done it before, then you might want to have your dealer do it.

Welcome to the site!

[jun26angel]

I had a similiar problem with my 2000 21 V Ltd. The dealer could not find the leak until the second trip in for maintenance. It was the bolts going through the transom holding the swim step on. My boat would not leak while it was sitting still in the water, but while in use the water pressure flowing under the swim step applied enough upward pressure to cause a serious leak. When I would search for the leak sitting still again, no leaks. Removed and reinstalled the bolts with sealant and it has not leaked drop since.

[jklaus]

Think we have it tracked down to the packing rope on the drive shaft. Hoping to still getout once before winter truly sets in. brrr...

Cheers, Jeff

[cjromero77]

Jun26... How did you figure that it was the bolts? Did you just take a chance at reinstalling the boats? I'm curious how you figured this out. Same with you Jklaus, how did you track it down?

[jklaus]

Turns out it was not the packing after all...
The nut was loose but it didnt leak - still tightened it though.

There was a small leak from one of the water circ lines so we tightened that. Also found a small leak comming from the seam of one of the mufflers - very small though.

Had the floor off to try and see what's happening but cant see anything. Until you button it up and start ridign then it magically fills...

Grrrr. I plan to fill the bilge with water on the driveway to see if I can get any progress finding this annoying leak.

Just sitting in the water it doesnt seem to take on any water. Unbuttoned we tried simulating our driving - accellerate, stop, turn accel slow, turn, reverse, etc... but still no help.

One leak at a time. I probably get 1 quart per half hour so its considerable funny wouldnt be able to see it come in somewhere.

I'll post back if I ever find it.

Jeff

[jklaus]

Also, how do you get at the outside swim platform bolts. Looks like the centre housing has nuts on the inboard side. And the hull is sealed way back there from the looks of it. I hope not removing the gas tank...

Jeff

[Razzman]

I filled the bilge on my '95 while it was sitting in the street at a nose up attitude and sure as hell the front fin started leaking at a pretty good rate. A leak also appeared at the prop shaft well. I plan on removing all the through bolted hardware and resealing everything but I'm stumped on what to do about the shaft well leak. I know the nut is adjusted correctly as it's new packing and only drips about three times a minute.

[spharis]

How did you get access to your packing Razz?

[Razzman]

As my 2000slm Comp is an older direct drive it's all too easy, lift the rear access hatch and there's the prop shaft in plain sight. Unscrew the shaft nut, replace packing, tighten to proper drip rate and done in all of fifteen minutes.

[spharis]

I pretty much have the same boat, in open bow form, only my rear access panel (which looks to have never been opened, I am unsure if it is a panel or just carpet seams) appears to require the removal of some rear panel screws to remove a wall, possibly even the tank, infront of the tank to open. Did you have to take anything besides the rear bench and seatback out?

****NOTE TO TIGE****
This is one of those cases where factory manuals would be benchmark for customer support. Us second and third owners do not have the luxuries of any form of documents, or sales info.

[Razzman]

On mine i just pull out the back seat and you can see the end of the panel against the fuel tank. I thought mine was carpet seams as well when i first got it, yours might be shoved too far back and blended against the carpet on the tank.

[zad0030]

I had a similar problem on my 21 i, with the bilge filling with water continuously but only while the engine was running. Well I found out the hard way where the leak was coming from. On our trip to the lake of the ozarks(our first trip with the new/used boat) we noticed the bilge pumping out water each time we ran the boat, didnt look into it too much, I figured we just took a couple too many waves. Well on a ride we drove a couple miles away from where we were staying and the engine starts stalling and hot water seeps through the floor. Soon enough the engine dies, out in the middle of the lake of the ozark. Luckily a relative of mine was nearby and he towed us to the closest marina. Turns out two hoses were taken off during winterization and never put back on, and I being a somewhat inexperienced boater at the time didnt know any better to check that. The bigle had also got clogged with carpet fibers and pretty much exploded. We reattached the hoses bailed out the water and were soon on our way. Water caused many problems, one being the starter(needed to be replaced) and also a few electronic problems, servo motor for perfect pass and bilge pump. It was a costly maiden voyage.

[Razzman]

So i sealed the fin and took it out yesterday and I'll be damned if i still didn't have excess water in the bilge! Then i noticed it was wet inside the engine cover down the right side, the blower and hose was wet as well. So i started looking around with the cover up and the engine idling, nothing! So i had my wife drive the boat while my brother-in-law and i watched the engine and sure as hell a spray show's up on the right side behing the exhaust manifold! It's impossible to see exactly where it's coming from but i suspect the manifold gasket as it's above the head/block mating surface and there's no oil in the oil. It runs fine and never gets over 150 so i guess i have to pull the manifold and find the source!