Water remaining in engine compartment?

[jpherron]

Hello all, I'm currently close to buying a 1999 Sea Ray 240 SD. Very excited, boat seems to be in great shape, always kept in storage, repowered with a Mercruiser 5.0 MPI last year. My concern is that there is about a 1/2" of standing water in the bottom of the engine compartment...It's been there each time I've looked at the boat. Shouldn't the engine compartment be dry? Is there a bilge pump for that area? (I thought so, been than considered the effect of pumping oily water overboard...) Anyone have any input?

 

[aqua*holic]

It depends on how the boat is stored. If on a trailer, the bow should be raised and the drain plug removed to allow the water to drain. If stored level with the plug in, 1/2" is probably not enough to activate the float switch if it has one.

Sounds like the boat has been stored outside mostly and the drain plug is left in. Shouldn't be a big deal, but I would put it in the water and check the bilge often, both with the motor running and off, to see if it is taking on much water. If it is, the repairs can get costly depending on the actual problem.

 

[tcason]

My 240 sundeck also usually has water in it even when the fork lift operator tilts the boat up with rear down and plug out.

I simply think the drain plug is not at lowest point (obviously).

After replacing bilge pump after winter stoarge a few years ago - I always dump in a gallon of -100 anti freeze in winter to keep this water from freezing in winter and possibly damaging bilge pump again.

We love our 240 sundeck!

 

[jpherron]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. Boat has lived it's whole life in a covered storage facility. I don't know if drain plug is normally removed.
Also, its the 240 cruiser, not the 240 sundeck, I don't know if that makes any difference.
Where is the bilge pump located? Under the engine? Aft of the engine? I thought that bilge under the engine wouldn't have an electric bilge pump due to oil discharge, explosion hazard, etc..

 

[aqua*holic]

Can't tell you exactly where the pump is on a cruiser, but it should be at about the lowest point of the bilge. All marine rated electrical items are supposed to be spark and explosion proof to prevent those kinds of things. If there is oil in the bilge, it will float on top of the water and not much oil should be discharged through the bilge pump.

 

[jpherron]

Thanks. Do I need to worry about water damage to the fiberglass if that water has stood there for a long time? (I don't know that it has, but it looks old. Is there a way to clean the engine compartment without damaging the engine or fiberglass?

 

[tbirdvet]

Water should not hurt the fiberglass bilge area. I always have some water in my bilge from rain and cleaning (hosing, etc.)

 

[mwph]

A toilet brush, some boat soap & clean water will get things clean. As mentioned earlier, the bilge pump is ignition protected and probably has a level activated switch on it. I regularly "test" my switch by pumping some water in there.

I think you should determine where the water is coming from AND why there is "oil" in it. This oil could be from a number of systems. Clean & dry the bilge & determine the origin of both the water & the oil/fluid.

 

[Lazy Daze]

All good points above. Find out why there is oil there - it may just be sue to sloppy oil changes - but find out for sure.

Bilge pump will never remove all the water - most times, even the garboard drain plug will not. Yes, oil can be pumped out - oil does float on top (good point) - but, it is still the owner's responsibility not to allow the bilge to pump if there is oil in there. Contain the oil, first.

If the water froze in the bilge, it may have cracked the pump. Pump is basically under the front area of the engine - you'll see it if you stick your head down there.

 

[jpherron]

Thanks everyone, very useful info, very helpful site. Makes me more convinced that a Sea Ray is the right choice.