2003 260da water in engine compartment

[BennyC1960]

Hi after returning to the dock (I had vacuumed any water from the engine compartment before I left so it was completely dry) there’s some accumulation of water. Probably an inch or so. I ran the boat at 20 knots for 1/2 hour or so. Is this normal? If not what could be the cause? Thanks.

 

[Stee6043]

Hi after returning to the dock (I had vacuumed any water from the engine compartment before I left so it was completely dry) there’s some accumulation of water. Probably an inch or so. I ran the boat at 20 knots for 1/2 hour or so. Is this normal? If not what could be the cause? Thanks.

I get water in my bilge from heavy rain or washing, but not from running the boat. You might have a slow leak around a water pump. Some models (I think) can also take on a bit of water around the rub rail at the stern at times, depending on running angle.

Perhaps have someone take a gander down there the next time you're on plane. Collecting an inch of water in 30 minutes is definitely not something I'd be comfortable with.

 

[KevinC]

Hi after returning to the dock (I had vacuumed any water from the engine compartment before I left so it was completely dry) there’s some accumulation of water. Probably an inch or so. I ran the boat at 20 knots for 1/2 hour or so. Is this normal? If not what could be the cause? Thanks.

Going from completely dry to 1 inch after 30 mins is not normal. However, sometimes when the boat is sitting idle water will gather in many places and then when you take her out a come up on plane the angle will allow all the water to migrate to the back of the boat.

Unfortunately water can come from many sources. I would think the first thing I would do is see if it is fresh or salt. I would taste some cleaner water for that - a quick dunk of your finger would do. If it is fresh I would check all the water connections and look for leaks after rain. If I remember correctly the area under the steps where the sump pump is will also drain aft to the engine compartment.

If salty I look look for any wet spots/drips after running - I could be any raw water connection point or drain point. Check out the forward single point drain - they are known to develop cracks and leak. Also check but the raw water pump to see if anything is leaking in that area - typically you would see a spray of salt water over the front of the engine if it is leaking from the pulley shaft.

-Kevin

 

[BennyC1960]

Thanks for your responses

 

[RichieRitz]

I recently found a slow but steady leaks from 2 block drain plugs that needed to be replaced-drove me crazy all summer. fwiw.

 

[BennyC1960]

I recently found a slow but steady leaks from 2 block drain plugs that needed to be replaced-drove me crazy all summer. fwiw.

Thanks. I’m not too mechanical so would that be fresh or salt water leaking from the drain plugs?

 

[KevinC]

Thanks. I’m not too mechanical so would that be fresh or salt water leaking from the drain plugs?

If it is leaking from the engine and you are raw water cooled then it would be salty water coming from the block drains.

-Kevin

 

[RichieRitz]

Thanks. I’m not too mechanical so would that be fresh or salt water leaking from the drain plugs?

We’re in Great Lakes so fresh water as we are raw water cooled

 

[Scott215]

When you have the boat back on the trailer if you trailer it I don't know. taste the water if it's salty or fresh you can also go to the store and get cheap puppy pee pads and put them down and that can help isolate where your leak is coming from