Boat repair advice - Regal 2665 Commodore

[Just Perfect]

Would appreciate some help, my boat has a water leak below the engine, I have been informed that as there is no access to the bottom of the engine it has to be taken out, and dismantling the rear cockpit, which could cause damage. Would anyone agree this is the route to go. TIA

 

[billskip]

Hi welcome..
What is the engine make and model? Its unusual to have water in the area of the engine maybe it is running down from a leak elsewhere?
Sorry do you mean the boat hull is leaking or the engine?

 

[Just Perfect]

Hi welcome..
What is the engine make and model? Its unusual to have water in the area of the engine maybe it is running down from a leak elsewhere?
Sorry do you mean the boat hull is leaking or the engine?

Hi, the model is Regal Commodore 2665 year 2007, not sure about the engine make.

 

[Just Perfect]

I've been told that a water leak has been discovered below the engine

 

[alandalus11]

Have you tried the Regal Owners Forum, there may be someone on there who would be able to deal with your specific query in the event no joy here. Link below.

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[Just Perfect]

Hi, No I haven't I'll give it a go, appreciate your help

 

[rafiki_]

We need a bit more info to offer help. What engines? Assume the drive system is an outdrive? If so, it could be an issue with the bellows?

 

[Elessar]

What type of water is a good first question. Salt, fresh of with antifreeze in. It’s all very vague. Either you’re not relating the whole message from the engineer or you need a new engineer!

 

[dpb]

From my own experience on similar boats I have found that it is not unusual at all to find water in the bilge beneath the engine. For starters a little rainwater always found its way there somehow if it rained hard enough! (For example, cup holders with drain holes that drain into the void between cockpit lining and hull.)
Apart from that there are alot of places that could leak sea water.
Including:
On the transome:
Bellows, transom shield seal, transom water intake pipe joint, exhaust to transom joint,
On the engine:
Any hose connection, any of the coolers (fuel, power steering, engine oil,
Water drain cocks, wet exhaust component seals etc etc......
Whilst the engine may well need to come out to fix some of these I believe that it is important to establish where the leak (s) is as with the engine out it will be very hard to tell.
My 'trick' was to dry out the bilge and then place cardboard beneath the whole engine from transom to pump. It would take several pieces to cover the different levels of the bilge.
Then run the engine and the wet patches that result should give good clues.

One last point, when I had a fuel pump water leak on one of my boats, the local mercruiser dealer told me the engine had to come out to fix it. This turned out to be untrue as I eventually did it myself with engine in situ.

 

[Just Perfect]

We need a bit more info to offer help. What engines? Assume the drive system is an outdrive? If so, it could be an issue with the bellows?

The engine is a Mercruiser V8, Efi I think, the bellows are ok. Yes, its an outdrive

 

[Just Perfect]

What type of water is a good first question. Salt, fresh of with antifreeze in. It’s all very vague. Either you’re not relating the whole message from the engineer or you need a new engineer!

Its freshwater, perhaps I do need a different engineer

 

[piratos]

Would appreciate some help, my boat has a water leak below the engine, I have been informed that as there is no access to the bottom of the engine it has to be taken out, and dismantling the rear cockpit, which could cause damage. Would anyone agree this is the route to go. TIA

to remove the engine of such a boat is a matter of max one hour. but as others say it may well original from the engine - one thing to check : such US built boats often have a drainplug in the hull under the engine - can be opened from the outside. It might be an idea to check the plug first....

 

[billskip]

Its freshwater, perhaps I do need a different engineer

Is the boat kept and used in the sea (saltwater) or River ( freshwater )? Do you have to top up the cooling system frequently? Does the water appear when the engine is used or while its left on the mooring?

 

[Sunny265]

to remove the engine of such a boat is a matter of max one hour. but as others say it may well original from the engine - one thing to check : such US built boats often have a drainplug in the hull under the engine - can be opened from the outside. It might be an idea to check the plug first....

Good point, mine has one. Well worth checking

 

[stelican]

Its freshwater, perhaps I do need a different engineer

Definitely.
Could be coming from anywhere that the manufacturer has fitted a part above the waterline as the US sport boat builders are not generous with sealant or if use any at all.

 

[Hurricane]

Buy yourself a wet vac.
I've been motoboating for years and only during the last couple of seasons have I found out how useful a wet vac is.
I use a Karsher WD3 - you can pick them up (new) for about £85
Just remove all the dry vac stuff and connect it up.
Using the long rigid vac, suck the water out from underneath the engine.
Takes about 15 secs to suck a bucket full.
Apart from emptying, it keeps sucking until the bilge is dry - hardly any water left.

I used to use a pump and then a cloth - a wet vac is way better.

Then wait and see where the water is coming from.
Maybe it is as simple as a blocked rainwater drain.
Its all obvious stuff - if it stays dry until it rains, it will be a drain issue.
If it gets wet whenever you use the water supply, it will be a leaky pipe.
You have already established that it isn't a seawater or engine coolant leak.

This doesn't sound a big issue.