Beneteau 323 Leak Or Normal?

[ww10]

Hi

I have a new Beneteau 323 and I have noticed there is from time to time a build up of Water beneath the Stern Gland.

The Boat is spending the Winter on the Water in the Marina and upon visiting today I noticed quite a lot of water in the recess under the prop and stern gland.

I moped it all up with a Sponge and ran the engine but could not see any leaks from the Gland.

It has been cold lately but does anyone have an idea where this water could have come from?

When I leave the boat all Sea Cocks are closed.

Many thanks....
Will

 

[Graham66]

Are you moored in salt or fresh water? If salt, have you tasted the water in the bilge? if salt more than likely coming from stern gland or leaking cooling pipe, if fresh, rain water ingress from deck fitting(s) if oily taste, engine cooling

 

[ww10]

Hi

Boat is on a Fresh Water River.

It does feel a little Oily but is clear to look at...

No obvious leaks around engine area...

 

[oldsaltoz]

Try a sprinkle of talcum powder around the sump, you will see what direction the water is coming from, sprinkle a bit more in that direction and back track the leak.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[CPD]

If the problem persists you may care to contact Mr Fullcircle of east Coast Forum fame who has a Jenneau 35 and suffered similar problems from new. To say it caused a little stress would be the wrong end of the stress spectrum. He is a lovely chap and Im sure would be glad to spare a few moments passing on some helpful hints.

 

[VicS]

Know anybody who could do some simple chemical tests to determine if its river water or rain water. Just a conductivity test would do that. Might be rather more difficult to distinguish between river water and fresh water from your water tanks though.

 

[ww10]

Hi I'm new to posting..

How would I contact Mr Fullcircle? Is there an easy way to search for his contact details?

Many thanks
Will

 

[BrendanS]

click on this link, then at bottom left, click on send a private message

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showprofile.ph...ge=1&topic=

 

[ww10]

Many thanks

Will

 

[davidwf]

If its a Volvo doughnut type seal I would not expect to be leaking as they are normally very dry. Mine does not leak at all on a new Beneteau 25.7..

Chances are the water is condensation that has formed on the cold engine block and collected near the stern gland. I have had this in the past.

 

[SimbaDog]

I've got a 323 & I think that if water is collected there is can only be from the gland itself as water from engine etc would not drain to there? The stern gland has got it's own water inlet/seacock. Have you checked the pipe connections?
Had a small seapage from one of mine!

 

[matelot]

you ought to try and find the source but if its any re-assurance, I've never had a boat that didnt have a small leak somewhere, usually from the windows. and for whatever reason, its usually worse when the boat is ashore.

use logic and either talcum powder or sheets of toilet paper to trace.

 

[alan]

I had a 311 and had similar problems when it was new. A few sources of leaks are:

1. Overflow from fresh water calorifier; small plastic tube which drains into the area under the shaft and eventually coleects under the volvo seal

2. Leaking calorifier itself (the earlier 311s had a weld which leaked on the actual calorifier body) ....... it took me ages to find it!!!!!

2. Leaky shower head on the pushpit; water drains back down the outside of the tube, then down the inner hull and eventually arrives under the volvo shaft seal.

3. and as already stated any deck fitttings that are not properly seated with sealant; although I don't know of any Ben's that had that from new (the other ones above were pretty common on the 311s built in 1998/1999)

Almost any water which enters under the stern cabin berth will find its way to the area under the volvo shaft seal. It is unlikely to be the seal itself. As already stated try putting some talcum powder or toilet paper in various areas that are "higher" up than the area under the seal and see if you can see where its coming from. It took me ages to find the leaky shower head as itn wasn't obvious. One test you can easily do is to de-pressurise the water system before leaving the boat (i.e. open the taps after switching off the electric pump) and see if you get no/less water under the seal.

Good luck, a bit of patience and you will eventually find it.

Alan.

 

[bobcarr]

This is a known fault. Known for atleast two years. Beneteau never update their naval architects with cockup feedback, so new boats willl continue to have this problem. The answer is: that your standard original electric water pump must be replaced (they know which one to re-fit). It is over-powering the pressure release valve on the calorifier. You can check this by looking in the cockpit locker where you should find some fresh water. When I complained to the prats that supplied my new boat they said, "oh yes... we know what that is, we will get a new water pump for you". Do you have in-mast furling? if so you need to talk to me about that mare's nest as well. On the plus side, the leak is only activated when the engine is on and the water pump (eg to the galley) is activated.

 

[ww10]

Finally Found my Leak!!

Was a deck fitting, the GPS Aerial which is a Flatish Dome at the rear of the boat was leaking into the Locker. The water then ran along cables and pipes and eventualy down the centre of the boat and down under the Stern Gland.

Fixed the leak and now dry as Bone!!

Thanks to all for your ideas.

Best
Will

 

[bobcarr]

This is a time honoured known fault which all dealers should be aware of. The fresh water pump is the wrong one and must be replaced as it overpowers the pressure release valve on the hot water system (thats why the water under the stern bunk is fresh). Beneteau know all about this and continue to fit the wrong pump. It will be replaced under warranty.