Bilge Question

Discussion in 'Mechanic Recommendation Forum' started by Jbreamsiii, Jun 19, 2022.

  1. Jbreamsiii

    Jbreamsiii Member

    33
    Sep 14, 2021
    Louisville, KY
    1996 Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser
    5.7L Mercuiser
    Is it normal for your bilge to kick on for like 15-30 seconds about every 45 mins/hour or so at anchor? Plug is tight. Where else may I have a small Water intrusion to look for?
     
  2. scoflaw

    scoflaw Well-Known Member

    Aug 10, 2011
    cape cod mass, cape coral fl
    1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
    2005 Baja 242 islander 496
    502 mpi Bravo 1
    496 mag B1
    transom assembly and the repair list can be a long one
     
  3. Golfman25

    Golfman25 Well-Known Member

    Sep 12, 2009
    IL
    1998 370 Sundancer
    7.4 MPI
    Does it discharge anything?
     
  4. The Bill Collector

    The Bill Collector Well-Known Member GOLD Sponsor

    Jun 2, 2008
    Tacoma, WA
    1998 450 Sundancer, Achilles dinghy w/15hp
    3126 Cat's
    It's either water intrusion or fresh water line leaking... For my e.r. it's a little easier as we float in salt water, I smell first and then taste it if doesn't smell like shit...lol
     
    Chris-380 and Nater Potater like this.
  5. Jbreamsiii

    Jbreamsiii Member

    33
    Sep 14, 2021
    Louisville, KY
    1996 Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser
    5.7L Mercuiser
    Yes, spit out a stream of water for like 15- 30 seconds
     
  6. bobeast

    bobeast Dance the Tide SILVER Sponsor

    Oct 22, 2017
    Isleton, CA
    2002 310DA
    350 MPI w/V-drives
    Everything about a boat is designed to keep water on the outside. Start by eliminating dynamic conditions such as rain, wash-down, swimmer splashing, etc. Once that water has been expelled, the pump won't come on again unless you have a leak.
     
    firecadet613 likes this.
  7. Little Ducky

    Little Ducky Well-Known Member

    Jun 5, 2017
    Dickson, TN / Chattanooga, TN
    1998 290 Sundancer
    Twin EFI 5.0L w/Alphas
    Kohler 4kW
    When I had a leak the one way I had to identify was to use a shop vac and vac out all the water and then look for the water trail. Mine was from one of the transom assemblies.
     
    mrsrobinson and Chris-380 like this.
  8. Golfman25

    Golfman25 Well-Known Member

    Sep 12, 2009
    IL
    1998 370 Sundancer
    7.4 MPI
    That doesn't seem long enough. I wonder if your float switch is set too low to allow your pump get all the water out and it's just backfilling the bilge. While you're there for some time, turn you pump off and monitor the bilge water level. If it's noticably rising after a few hours, then you probably have a leak. If not, then it's something else. Make sure you turn the pump back to auto before you leave.
     
  9. Jbreamsiii

    Jbreamsiii Member

    33
    Sep 14, 2021
    Louisville, KY
    1996 Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser
    5.7L Mercuiser
    We don’t leave it in the water. It’s in a valet lot and they put it in and take it out when we want to use it. Going to have a mechanic take a look and let me know what they think. Thanks all for the recommendations!
     
  10. Bt Doctur

    Bt Doctur Well-Known Member

    Aug 21, 2010
    New Jersey
    Ex SRV 240 Weekender twin
    in between
    Well, a few places are main bellow ,shift cable bellow, exaust Y pipe leaking, any thru hull fitting ,sea cock valves etc.
     
  11. Pirate Lady

    Pirate Lady Well-Known Member

    Jun 2, 2020
    Chesapeake Bay, Middle River
    Sundancer 250 ‘91
    7.4 Bravo 1
    Mine turned out to be the bottom of my hot water heater was all rusted out and was leaking. New tank solved that problem.
     
  12. Jbreamsiii

    Jbreamsiii Member

    33
    Sep 14, 2021
    Louisville, KY
    1996 Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser
    5.7L Mercuiser
    Well it was the shift cable boot. It was ripped pretty bad. Going to have both bellows replaced.
     
    Chris-380 likes this.
  13. Creekwood

    Creekwood Well-Known Member GOLD Sponsor

    Apr 26, 2009
    Oakville and Georgian Bay, Ontario
    '97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
    2X 454 carbs w/ vDrives
    That's the "sink the boat" one. It would have leaked more when the drive is trimmed up. Good to do all of the boots and bellows at the same time when they have things apart. If your trim senders are not working might be an idea to do them at the same time.
     
    Pirate Lady likes this.
  14. Jbreamsiii

    Jbreamsiii Member

    33
    Sep 14, 2021
    Louisville, KY
    1996 Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser
    5.7L Mercuiser
    Yes, they are going to replace everything and do a new shift cable too.
     
    Creekwood, techmitch and Chris-380 like this.

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