Impeller changed...bilge now taking water??

[Liquid Pleasure II]

My marina changed both engine impellers on Saturday. Both engines run well but now my bilge pump has cycled a few times and after coming back from a cove for the day I pushed the bilge pump button and more H20 came out. Not a lot of water but enough for the pump to run for 3-4 seconds. It has NEVER cycled on its own before the repair.

Starboard engine is running 8-9 degrees hotter and about 1-2 psi lower on the water pressure.

Any thoughts?? I am thinking a seal not seated or not tightened enough but I cannot see active dripping when in the bilge myself. Keep in mind I am 6'4" and 235lbs so me in the bilge is quite a sight.

Thanks

 

[Hampton]

Could be. There are also two plastic plugs that may be out/loose on each engine. When viewing the engine from the front (belt side), on the lower left corner is the pump (on mine, anyway). On the back of the pump is where the in and out hoses are connected. Look in that area for the leaks. The plastic plugs can be removed to drain the water. If one is out, I suspect you'll get your symptoms.

Mine are blue and can be screwed in/out by hand.

 

[Lazy Daze]

When they changed the impellers, water will have gotten in the bilge. It very well could just be leftover water from the change... especially if you're not seeing anything more. See if it keeps happening. Maybe hire someone's kid to climb down there and dry it up real well? Or, use a shop vac?

 

[carterchapman]

When MM changed my impellers as part of my pre-purchase agreement, they left the two clamps loose on the stbd engine seawater pump. Find a midget (at 6'4" it won't be you! ) and get him to check the clamps - as well as Hampton's blue plug suggestion...

 

[fwebster]

How 'bout this.........look in the bilge and see where the water is coming from.

THere aren't a lot of possibilities, give the work you had done. I'm bettin' on something easy like a loose hose clamp or a strainer lid not on right.

 

[Greg]

I remember the first time I changed the impellers on my 340, there was an o-ring that popped out of a groove and didn't seal properly. It was between the pump housing and the wear plate. Could you lay a big piece of cardboard or something under the pumps to look for drips if you can't fit back there?

 

[Skuza]

For as serious a problem a simple loose hose clamp could become you'd think they would check their work. A sunk boat over a loose clamp would really ruin my day...

 

[Liquid Pleasure II]

I am headed out to the marina now and will post an update. Thanks for the advice. The only thing that really really p#*ses me off is that when I called the marina owner this morning he was acting like it was no big deal. He said "We're real busy we'll get someone down there to take a look!" Can you believe that??

 

[Liquid Pleasure II]

:smt038Had the marina "little" mechanic crawl the bilge. After nothing found that was actively leaking he and the chief mechanic admitted that they had forgotten to close a seacock while they were taking the SB pump off.

5-8 gallons went into the bilge according to them. Probably more like 10-20 but anyway after getting on plane and coming off, the water has found its way out the aft bilge pump. Still some left in the stringer wells on each side but it will work its way out.

Thanks for the advice....by the way no charge for the slip visit!