Leaking fresh water system, I think.

[SimonFa]

When I leave the water pump on for an extended period I get a blast of pump for about 2 seconds every 5 to 10 minutes, unless a tap has been run. I've also noticed that I also get fresh water gathering in the bilges around the sea cocks. If I leave the pump off and take the pressure out the system by running a tap I don't get the fresh water in the bilges. (I'm a bit obsessive about the bilges and like to keep them clean and dry which is why I think the 2 are linked)

The sea cocks were all fitted new last year and have been inspected and tested by the boat yard that did them since then and they have a good reputation. Anyway, I don't get the water when the water pump is off.

I'm surmising that there is a leak in the water system but cant find anything or work out how that water is getting in to the bilges.

Any thoughts on how to go about finding the root cause would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Simon

 

[Martin_J]

Hi

Since you have noticed that the water pump buzzes for a few seconds occasionally - this suggests that the issue is on the pressurised side of the pump i.e. between the pump and the taps and not on the tank (unpressurised) side of the pump.

This only narrows it down a little. It could be a leak in the run from the pump to any of the taps.

I would suggest that you follow the hose from the outlet side of the water pump to each tap in turn.

Doing this you should also check the connection to the accumulator.

The other quick check is the underside (or back of) each tap to see if any of them are dripping.

Remember that any shower taps will also be on the pressurised side.

Hope this helps.

 

[David2452]

Also check the PRV on the calorifier, assuming you have one, if it has a drain hose on it just pop the end in a bottle and check after a few hours, if no drain hose put one on and do likewise.

 

[Martin_J]

Good thinking David..

The Pressure Relief Valve on the calorifier is designed to do exactly that.. easy to check as well

 

[Bobc]

Also check the cockpit shower if you have one. They are prone to springing leaks

 

[Jabs]

I had this issue and it was driving me nuts since I really want dry bilges.

It turned out to be a blanking plug on a water tank which was seeping.

The water contents gauge sensor was faulty leading me to leave the filling hose in for ages until the level came up on the gauge, wheras in fact the gauge let in water and shorted.

The extra pressure from the extended filling time, three hours or more, resulted in the blanking plug leaking.

How did I find the root cause? Purely by chance!

I had the cushions off the saloon seats one day whilst filling and noticed a tiny dribble!

Good luck!

Tony.

 

[srm]

I had much the same problem when I first got my current boat. Traced it by methodically following every pipe run and checking / tightening every joint. A few had slight weeps. This solved part of the problem. The electrical heating element in the base of the calorifier (stupid design) was also leaking as the thread had not been fully sealed. However this took a little while to find as it only happened when motoring for an hour or so and the tank got up to full temperature.

You will probably get to know your boats less accessible areas, which is no bad thing.

 

[SimonFa]

Thanks all, most appreciated. I've now got somewhere to start.

 

[MikeBz]

Had exactly the same thing on our new-to-us-this-year boat. It was driving me mad. So I spent several hours emptying lockers, dismantling panels and trim, through the aft cabin, trying to trace this trickle of fresh water finding its way out front under the engine. I was convinced it was the calorifier but no (despite it seemingly having 2-3 times as many connections and pipes as you would think it needs). Eventually having dismantled the aft cabin and established that it was coming from the stern area I squeezed my head through an inspection hatch in the cockpit locker to find a trickle of water running down the hose for the pull-out cockpit shower. On the transom is a tap for it which was not quite[ turned off fully... At least I know now a lot more about what is where in the bowels of the boat!