Filled bilge with water and no leaks. Pulled all thru hull fittings and sealed with 4200. Replaced livewell pump at same time. Everything seemed sealed good enough but now with 3M. Think it is getting in through plumbing maybe. Has anyone ever added some food color to the livewell to see if that helps you to see a small leak better?? I don’t know if food color is permanent or not.
Small leaks are sometimes easier with the boat in the water. There is more pressure on the leak with the boat in the water.
2014 Phoenix 721XP, 250 SHO, Bobs Action Jack, Dual Blades, 112 Ultrex, Garmin Echomap Ultra's Networked, NMEA 2000, 2019 Lariat FX4 F150 Supercrew 4x4
You can also use a hose and run water back into fittings to look for leak's. I found that the control box for my livewell operation was leaking this way.
Enjoying life in Southern Illinois
This worked for me, with a leaking pump. Actually kept the boat strapped down, and just backed in down the ramp part way, and then inspected in the bilge.....found the leak right away.....Originally Posted by BroWhoop
Also, I've changed two livewell valves with hairline cracks on the bottom that couldn't really be seen to the eye......... Dry bilge area real good, close valves and fill livewells with water without spilling any water anywhere else, let sit and check bilge. I'm sure you could add fruit punch or gatorade to the livewells or that blue G-juice.
Check rub rail sealant & screws from helm to outboard….many a small leak has been found there.
Lightning 6
2007 TR-196DC
I had not even thought about just using Catch and Release it definitely makes it blue. Thanks for the tip. I have already checked the rub rail. Sealer is intact all the way around. All thru hull fittings are checked and resealed. Got to be livewell. Can’t see anything other than light scratches underneath. Unless something is hidden under bunks. I am going to plug off all the holes that go to the livewell in the transom and watch. Thanks for the replies
I don't know what boat you have but on my Skeeter where the rub rail comes together is a plastic cap to cover the gap. This is also where some wires pass through the transom. When I removed the cover I found a 1" hole with no sealant in it. After I filled that I no longer get water in the boat unless I swamp it in reverse.
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2011 Skeeter ZX200 w/SHO 200.
Bilge pump housings crack also.
Had that to happen so while checking and sealing thru hull fittings I went ahead and replaced it with one exactly like it.
IMG_4041.jpeg
Here’s the last valve I took off with a cracked cover….. Can barely see the crack.
I just got back from the ramp. Left boat strapped down and backed in until water was almost up in the engine. Let it sit and watched. Engine mounting bolts dry. Rear transom cap dry, no water seen coming from thru hull fittings. Livewell was full and there was nothing coming from there. I am wondering if I am getting the bilge plug sealed every time I go. Checked O-ring on plug and it’s flattened out some but can’t see damage. I have decided someone is secretly pouring a few gallons in while I am not looking
The .99 O ring might have been my culprit on my Sabre, (see water in bilge post on BCB section). I also had some leftover dead zebra muscles around the livewell over flow exit, that is under the “ledge” back there. The boat sat in garage for 4 months so no, I didn’t spread them, just missed when I hosed down before I left Canada last October. I put Loc Tite sealant around that and new drain plug O ring on. It was one or the other, no more leak; the old O ring looked fine. So. who knows
2023 BassCat Sabre FTD
2023 175 Pro XS
crazy! Mine looks a little flat and I am wondering that maybe when I tighten it I don’t get it the same tightness each time. I don’t know but it I definitely had some pressure trying to make a leak with the boat not able to float. Very strange. You can turn the pump on each day and get a couple gallons out. Sometimes it’s bone dry. Going to put an o-ring on and just fish and see what happens. It’s not enough to be dangerous unless you go multiple days in a row and the leak stays the same. Maybe then you might pump for 10 minutes. Not sure
But only when you're under way.
Speedometer or water pressure tubing leak? Had one leaking at a small shark bite fitting where tubing was connected during rigging. Only leaked when running at speed. Took a minute to figure that one out.
Hope you find it so you can sleep at night. Last year I replaced all my pumps. I had one cracked and while down there I just did everything. Ribs were sore for 6 weeks. Currently I have a small leak. After a day of fishing I will get maybe a pint of water leak out when I pull the plug before leaving the ramp. I pull the plug after each outing. As long as it doesn't get worse I'm not looking for it.
GETFISHED !!!
Hey Steve, yes it’s a little uncomfortable to work in that area of the boat to say the least. I am going to replace the o-ring and just go fishing. Sooner or later I will find it or it will find me. Big leaks are easy to find but slow ones can test your patience. I guess I am a little picky about some things!
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