Fresh Water Tank drained into the bilge...FAST

[SkiPharmer]

1995 330 Sundancer, big block carbs with V-Drives. Fresh water tank was full this afternoon, went on an evening cruise and the bikge came on and it was pumping lots of water. Headed back, after cruising for about 30 min, got back to the dock and the fresh water tank was empty and I could see the port side of the engine room looks like water was splashed around there. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? It was dry earlier today. This sounds like it is going to be expensive.

thanks

 

[MExcelsior]

Although possible, I wouldn't assume it is your tank that is bad. Since you mentioned "splash", I'm actually hoping that it is "spray". Fill your tank a bit, and then open engine hatch, turn on pump and see where it is coming from. If the pump keeps running without anything turned on, then it is downstream from pump. If your pump doesn't continuously run and the tanks empties, then it might be a leak in the tank. You might be able to visually inspect hot water heater, water manifold, anything fresh water related on port side beforehand for anything obvious! Just be careful, as there are many things in the engine room that don't like to get wet and sprayed on.

 

[SkiPharmer]

I do notice when at the dock and the head and water pump are turned on (not in use, just on) that I get a weird noise every 10 min or so that sounds like a pump or something. I'll have to have a mechanic look at it as I am not handy!!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Was this the first time you used it this year (after being winterized last year)? If so, I would lean towards thinking it might just be a loose connection at one of the water lines. Since it drained out so fast, it shouldn't be too hard to figure things out if you filled it up again. Could the noise be the pump running? The pump has a sort of a "brrrzzzzt" sound to it.

 

[SkiPharmer]

No it was not the first time....does the pump just run at random times? I thought it would only run when the water from a sink or something is being used?

 

[Lazy Daze]

No it was not the first time....does the pump just run at random times? I thought it would only run when the water from a sink or something is being used?

It would run if the water was being used.... or leaking out - which as far as the pump is concerned, is the same thing as being used by a faucet.

 

[Alegria]

You mentioned Port side of the engine room. You have the hotwater heater there, the take off to the transom shower, and also the take off that feeds the head and galley sink as well as a feed up to the cockpit sink.

So basically you have the whole water system on the boat there. I would suspect that you have a cracked fitting or pipe. Very simple and cheap fix. Just got freshwatersystems.com and I suspect you have the 15mm pex pipe and fittings. I suggest you order some spares once you have figured out w hoat is the issue. Given the age of the boat those fittings baking in a hot engine room don't last forever.

Since you kept the fresh water pump on and lost it relatively quickly I suspect a fitting. Watch for cracked brass fittings on the hotwater heater I had one that sprayed all over the place. Fixed it, but not fun as you need to get the batteries out and then get some shower valve sockets on it and wrench it off..... It's a 15mm to 1/2" male/male fitting on the water heater. Freshwater systems has them too in case you need them.

I wish you well.

Take Care!!

 

[wjglampe]

No it was not the first time....does the pump just run at random times? I thought it would only run when the water from a sink or something is being used?

PM me if you want. If you are still at Windmill, I will come take a look. I live only a couple miles away. Not for hire just for a beer.