KAD43 salt water in engine bilge

[DavidJ]

Hi
I’m getting about a litre per engine hour salt water in one of my my engine bilges. I’ve had seal leaks from water pumps in the past and it’s not that and there is no obvious drips from pipes or the filter. Where else could it have come from?
Cheers
David
Sealine S37 by the way

 

[Momac]

Hi
I’m getting about a litre per engine hour salt water in one of my my engine bilges. I’ve had seal leaks from water pumps in the past and it’s not that and there is no obvious drips from pipes or the filter. Where else could it have come from?
Cheers
David
Sealine S37 by the way

I understand the steering on outdrive boats can let water in if not greased.

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

What stern gland arrangement do you have ?

 

[Momac]

What stern gland arrangement do you have ?

It's on outdrives.

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

It's on outdrives.

OK, Ive never had outdrives, but they have to be sealed somehow ?
Mebbe try a large mirror & torch ?
Otherwise, perhaps a cracked hose somewhere in the system.
At least you have isolated the problem to just 1 engine.
Yes We know, it can be darn awkward, gettin into all the nooks & crannies, but, you will just have to persevere, with all means at your disposal.
Do you do your searches wit the engine off, or running ?
That could make a difference ?
Best of luck !!

 

[Portofino]

1L / hr when ?
Engine running or / and off ?

 

[DavidJ]

1L / hr when ?
Engine running or / and off ?

It seems to be with usage which fits with Martyn’s theory especially that I haven’t greased the outdrive steering for some years.......kind of slipped from my regular maintenance routine.
I’ll grease it up tomorrow and see how it goes.
Thanks all for very fast responses
Cheers
David

 

[gjgm]

Exhaust elbow and seals?

 

[DavidJ]

Exhaust elbow and seals?

Hmmm hope not but I’ll check
Thanks

 

[aquatom]

The most common places for sea water leaks on these engines excluding the sea water pumps are exhaust elbow cracked, exhaust down pipe corroded, aftercooler matrix leaking, oil cooler leaking (early ones only).

 

[DavidJ]

My goodness the possibilities get worse!!
I’m greasing up tomorrow and will run the engines for a while and see if any water comes from anywhere. It’s going to be a blowy day so won’t be taking the boat out.

 

[Bandit]

Also check below the oil cooler, they start to corrode and leak, if there is evidence of a leak remove and dismantle cooler.

 

[DavidJ]

Ah!
It was the water pump after all which I guess is a good thing. I’ve replaced the seals and shaft before so I’m thinking it might be a new pump job.
Thanks to all and at least it made me grease up the forgotten outdrive.

 

[simonfraser]

there is a bearing at the top of the helmet, needs greasing.
total pain to get to, but worth sorting.
you may be able to force new grease in / through when it is hot from having used the engine.
else you'll need to take the nipple off and poke the hole to the bearing.
then you can set up an extension and grease it from a more reasonable location, pm me.

 

[DavidJ]

there is a bearing at the top of the helmet, needs greasing.
total pain to get to, but worth sorting.
you may be able to force new grease in / through when it is hot from having used the engine.
else you'll need to take the nipple off and poke the hole to the bearing.
then you can set up an extension and grease it from a more reasonable location, pm me.

I didn’t know about that one!
The problem is identified now, the pump, so not looking for further work. However I will look at the helmet bearing when the boat comes out for bottom scrub and new gaiters next spring.
Thanks for your advice.
Cheers
David

 

[STILL AFLOAT]

My goodness the possibilities get worse!!
I’m greasing up tomorrow and will run the engines for a while and see if any water comes from anywhere. It’s going to be a blowy day so won’t be taking the boat out.

OK, this may or may not be useful...
I bought an used Broom 37, where some previous owner, just used universal grease, on the steering.
I didnt know the difference, between Grease Guns, and stupidly, without google, just bought a cheap chinese one !
Due to the solidified universal grease, the grease gun was useless !

On advice, I went to the local Würth shop, and paid a lot ( Well about 90 Quid )
for a hand held high pressure grease gun, with a locking snout & a couple of water resistant Würth grease cartridges !

Even with the high pressure grease gun, nothing was moving !

A mate, came on board, looked at the problem, & said, well, before hauling out & having to take the system apart, lets use the honey idea !
Honey Idea ???
Yes, old honey, goes white n can crystalize, same as grease can !

So, for about 20 mins, my knowlegable mate, played a heat gun, up and down the stainless shaft, and the grease area.
Once the grease, started to bubble, around the top of the stainless shaft..
My mar¡te yelled
Pump !
Sure enough, pumping away, the window putty like, white grease was slowly expelled, and finally the dark greenish Würth grease, came through !
Not had a problem, since !

Good Luck !