Beneteau Oceanis 393- Shower Sump Leak to Bilge

[Oceanis Rob]

Hi folks,

This one may be owner specific to those with early 2000's Oceanis', it appears that the shower water is somehow getting into the bilge, whilst it's not the end of the world it's really getting on my wotsits. Does anyone have a similar issue, have you managed to remedy it? The annoying thing is I cannot access the sump or below the shower tray to inspect.

Hope someone can advise!

Thank you

 

[ostra4]

I'd check the connections on the shower emptying pump if not already done in case there are leaks if a leak would drain into the bilge .

 

[Oceanis Rob]

The whole run of pipe work from the sump through strainer, pump and through hull fitting is sound and leak free, not the slightest sign of any water. What lurks beneath the floor is a mystery, it's inaccessible.

 

[RJD393]

Is this from the forward or aft heads?

 

[Oceanis Rob]

Hi rjd, it's the aft head

 

[RJD393]

Rob - first apologies for what may be obvious but - water often runs back down the shower hose into the cupboard and into the bilge. Also if the under-sink door does not close tight it leaks into the bilge. Also check that the screws holding down the toilet are 'sealed'. If the drain is leaking it is possible to remove the centre screw and drop the unit to rebed - its a bit of a fiddle and messy! You can see under the moulding from outside in the left corner. It is only a small gap but use a mirror and light or better if you have an optical device. Good luck!

 

[Oceanis Rob]

Hi RJD

Many thanks for this, I can now concur that removing and rebedding the shower drain is both fiddly and messy! It transpires that the mystery source of the water in the bilge isn't coming from the shower drain afterall. The investigation continues...

 

[RupertW]

Fridge drain? We get a lot of water in hot weather

 

[Oceanis Rob]

Rupert it could well be the fridge drain, it's in the correct vicinity for sure. The trace of water actually appears from a limber hole in one of the frames of the tray matrix which runs transversely immediately fwd of the WC bulkhead. There is no suggestion of a leak from the domestic supply hoses as the pump is never heard to re-pressurise. I need to probe further, I'll perhaps bung the fridge drain hole and see what occurs. Thanks for your thoughts, appreciated.

 

[maby]

I would second what RJD392 suggests - water running down the shower hose. It seems to be a design feature of Beneteaus, at least, that the shower hose is not sealed into the shower casing - it simply runs through a ring and dangles into the space behind the wall. If you leave the water running for any length of time, it tracks along the hose and ends up in the bilges - a bit of a pain, but it is clean water and the bilge pump sump is right next to the shower cubicle on our boat, at least.

 

[RupertW]

Rupert it could well be the fridge drain, it's in the correct vicinity for sure. The trace of water actually appears from a limber hole in one of the frames of the tray matrix which runs transversely immediately fwd of the WC bulkhead. There is no suggestion of a leak from the domestic supply hoses as the pump is never heard to re-pressurise. I need to probe further, I'll perhaps bung the fridge drain hole and see what occurs. Thanks for your thoughts, appreciated.

Quicker than that is to pour a hose down the empty fridge perhaps with washing up liquid to bubble and see where it appears.

We also found a leak on the low pressure side of our pump so never depressurised but steady leak each time a tap went on so pipe from tank had water going through it towards the pump. So awkward to find and fix that we now don't use that tank until I can find the time to pull the furniture and main table apart.

 

[RJD393]

If it is not coming from the shower have you checked out the calorifier pressure valve? The drain for this exits into the bilge behind the sink(put a bottle on the end of the tube if the is one to check). I don't think it will be from the fridge as the drain runs through the foot pump and out into the sink.