Water Under Cowling

[OKDennis]

Back in September I lost the powerhead on my 2007 Optimax 225. The motor was under warranty and I got a new powerhead installed. Ever since that time, I have been getting water dripping out of the front of the cowling after a run. At idle there is not any visible leaks. My mechanic has looked at it multiple times and has not come up with anything, but he is just running the motor on the muffs in the shop. We have plugged up the speedometer at the line on the lower unit and most recently we took the water pressure guage line loose and plugged it, but I am still getting water. BTW, there is water pooled down at the bottom of the engine as well, so I am not sure why there is water at the front of the cowling. Any idea where this water is coming from?

[Reelsore]

What kind of boat do you have as well as setup? The reason I ask is because if I come of plane wrong it will wash water up the air intake in the back of the motor. Thus the water runs through the plastic casing in the top of the cowling into the engine compartment. I was told that I needed to raise the motor but my particular hull design won't allow it and still get the top performance out of the boat. So I just watch how I come off of plane now.

[OKDennis]

Champion 200 with 10 inch jack plate. I don't believe it is coming in from the air intake. The problem did not start until after the new powerhead.

[Tom Rollins]

Check the water hoses at the air compressor and the fuel rails, make sure that all are clamped/zip tied. I had a similar issue on a new Opti. Water running out the port where fuel oil lines and control cables enter hood when the motor was tilted up and water in lower pan. Didn't show up at idle on muffs, then one day while on the water while idling with the motor tilted up water began running out of port so Off withthe cover and found a small hose from the compressor to the port fuel rail almost completely off of the barb. Pushed the hose back on and cable tied it. No issues since.

[EuropeanAM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Tom Rollins &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Check the water hoses at the air compressor and the fuel rails, make sure that all are clamped/zip tied. I had a similar issue on a new Opti. Water running out the port where fuel oil lines and control cables enter hood when the motor was tilted up and water in lower pan. Didn't show up at idle on muffs, then one day while on the water while idling with the motor tilted up water began running out of port so Off withthe cover and found a small hose from the compressor to the port fuel rail almost completely off of the barb. Pushed the hose back on and cable tied it. No issues since.</td></tr></table>

+1... this would be the first area I would inspect, based on your description.

If no problems are noted... it might be a good idea to resort to running the engine with a Test Wheel (in a test tank).... of you may need to utilize Lotrimin Athlete's Foot Spray to "powder coat" suspect areas (this often helps to narrow down such leaks).

Also.... look for white water spots on black painted surfaces. These can often be of help in determining the area in which the leak is occurring.