Making water under the engine

[z28jimi]

My '06 44 DB seems to be making water.
I keep getting an accumulation of water under the starboard engine. The stringers and crossmembers form a sump of sorts under the engines, and there is a recurring accumulation of water in this area, only under the starboard engine. It looks and tastes like fresh water, has no odd smell, no odd color. Has anyone else found the same issue? I'm wondering if it might be related to the fresh water tank, either the fill or vent line leaking somehow. The fresh water pump doesn't cycle, so it isn't a leak in the pressurized system. It's not an insignificant amount either. Today, I vacuumed out about eight gallons. I'm going to check again in a few days to see if it is back. The previous owner claims it's from the engine vent and has been doing this for a long time. I've looked, and I don't see how the engine vent could be the culprit. Any ideas or suggestions, or even better, solutions, will be appreciated.

 

[ttmott]

Take one of the plugs out of the stringers and see if they are filled with water. A water leak somewhere else on the boat can get into the hollow stringer and migrate into that area - possibly...… Unless there is a fresh water line in that area.

I'll add that there should be plastic plugs below the engine mount bolts on the sides of the stringers that can be removed.

 

[Bartlett Bob]

I have the same problem under the port engine. Right now I am thinking it might be a leak of raw water from the water pump which is hard to see on this engine. I will keep cleaning it out until impeller time next summer. I have the sea cocks off for winter and will watch to see if it shows up again but I don't think it will since there is no other sources that I can think of over there except sewage and it is not that, thank goodness.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Your boat is newer but the fresh water line connectors in our boat have been almost all replaced because they leaked.

 

[z28jimi]

Your boat is newer but the fresh water line connectors in our boat have been almost all replaced because they leaked.

But when they leaked, didn't your fresh water pump cycle on and off a lot? Mine's not doing so.

 

[NotHerDecision]

Are you positive it’s not a shaft seal?

 

[PlayDate]

I'm not saying your taste buds are off but you can do a few simple tests to get on the right course to fixing it. 8 gallons is a lot of water to have magically appearing. First, empty the fresh water tank and use the boat. If there is no accumulation.....that tells you something is off in the fresh water system. I just worked on a boat where the shower sump was overflowing on a Four Winns and the water was showing up in a bilge 5 feet from the sump. If the water shows up after a rainstorm...that points to a different problem.

If it hasn't rained, the water tank is empty and water still accumulates....then it probably is salt water....which points to the raw water pump or a more expensive problem.

 

[Doc O Rock]

You said the water tastes like fresh. Right? And your boat in salt water. Right? The water can only be from 2 sources then, either you freshwater tanks or rainwater.

 

[MickT]

Water heater back there somewhere?
Could be leaking, or have a faulty safety valve

 

[z28jimi]

I'm not saying your taste buds are off but you can do a few simple tests to get on the right course to fixing it. 8 gallons is a lot of water to have magically appearing. First, empty the fresh water tank and use the boat. If there is no accumulation.....that tells you something is off in the fresh water system. I just worked on a boat where the shower sump was overflowing on a Four Winns and the water was showing up in a bilge 5 feet from the sump. If the water shows up after a rainstorm...that points to a different problem.

If it hasn't rained, the water tank is empty and water still accumulates....then it probably is salt water....which points to the raw water pump or a more expensive problem.

I'd come to that conclusion some time ago. My question was whether anyone else had experienced the same, and had determined the source.

 

[z28jimi]

Water heater back there somewhere?
Could be leaking, or have a faulty safety valve

Water heater is on the other side, and several feet away with no moisture trail in between. I'm leaning toward a rainwater leak, because I don't notice any cycling of the fresh water pump.

 

[z28jimi]

Are you positive it’s not a shaft seal?

yes

 

[z28jimi]

I'm not saying your taste buds are off but you can do a few simple tests to get on the right course to fixing it. 8 gallons is a lot of water to have magically appearing. First, empty the fresh water tank and use the boat. If there is no accumulation.....that tells you something is off in the fresh water system. I just worked on a boat where the shower sump was overflowing on a Four Winns and the water was showing up in a bilge 5 feet from the sump. If the water shows up after a rainstorm...that points to a different problem.

If it hasn't rained, the water tank is empty and water still accumulates....then it probably is salt water....which points to the raw water pump or a more expensive problem.

Planning to empty the tank then run the boat. If no accumulation, I'll wash the boat and check again. If still nothing, I'll call a witch doctor.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Planning to empty the tank then run the boat. If no accumulation, I'll wash the boat and check again. If still nothing, I'll call a witch doctor.

It may very well be a rainwater leak. Mine had 4-5 gallons under the port engine when surveyed in FL. It was vacuumed out and the boat prepped for transport with arch and everything on the bridge removed. Put back together here and has never happened again. I bet you have something on the arch or elsewhere. I wonder if water in the port side stringer could get under there? The stringers are hollow as I had the starboard one full of water from a leaking shower mixing valve.

I am most interested to see what you find.

Bennett

 

[crizz]

Have you considered AC condensate? It would take quite awhile to accumulate 8 gallons, but not out of the question.

 

[MARQUESA PC]

im looking at a 410 express that we would've probably bought if I hadn't noticed this, same thing except there is a slight hint of salt in the water. Per the mechanic, its a small leak on the raw water pumps seal. small drip. hope this helps

 

[z28jimi]

im looking at a 410 express that we would've probably bought if I hadn't noticed this, same thing except there is a slight hint of salt in the water. Per the mechanic, its a small leak on the raw water pumps seal. small drip. hope this helps

Certainly a possibility. Haven't been able to contort myself enough yet to see the raw water pump on that side. If that's it, I hate to think of fixing it.

 

[z28jimi]

Have you considered AC condensate? It would take quite awhile to accumulate 8 gallons, but not out of the question.

I've been letting it sit for several days with the A/C off to try to rule this out. Will be back at the boat this weekend to see.

 

[NotHerDecision]

On my boat it’s easier to remove the pump and service it on a bench versus working on it or the impeller in the engine room so keep that in mind as well.

 

[z28jimi]

On my boat it’s easier to remove the pump and service it on a bench versus working on it or the impeller in the engine room so keep that in mind as well.

Good point. Thanks.