Ianthediver
Member
My beneteau 311 has developed a water leak under the engine I cannot see and water coming from the engine or drive shaft? I have had the boat 3 years. where do I start to lookplease?
Water under the engine.
- Thread starter Ianthediver
- Start date
Habebty
Well-known member
Raw water pump seals? split hose, antifreeze coolant or sea water?
Check also exhaust elbow/hose and heat exchanger area.
Check also exhaust elbow/hose and heat exchanger area.
LittleSister
Well-known member
My money's on the raw water pump shaft seals (i.e. to rear of the pump - there's probably a short tubular section with opening(s) to allow escaping water to drain out).
If so, not super urgent but important to ensure escape holes not becoming blocked, and replace the seals before the water can find its way further along shaft into engine.
If so, not super urgent but important to ensure escape holes not becoming blocked, and replace the seals before the water can find its way further along shaft into engine.
tillergirl
Well-known member
This will not be popular but ....... taste the water - is it salt or 'fresh'. Could be a fresh water tank/connection/calorifier leak/rain water. Raw water pump seals are favourite though.
PeterWright
Well-known member
Dry the bilge out and spread kitchen roll. Go back 30-60 minutes later and look for a wet patch on the roll. If none start the engine then look again for a wet patch.
When you find a wet patch, look at what is above it.
When you find a wet patch, look at what is above it.
ArchieT
New member
After the suggested taste test, if it's salty then the culprit may be some way off from the engine (depending on the bilge layout) so also worth checking sea-cocks, transducer etc. The 'route' may be identifiable by white (salt) residue. If it's not salty, then the calorifier would be worth a check (that's where my water leak was). Leaks in the fresh water supply can be spotted by a gut feel that its taking longer than usual to pressurise the system when the water pump is switched on.
Ianthediver
Member
Briliant thanks
scottie
Well-known member
Calorifpier Blow off valve ?
Momac
Well-known member
I have had some water in recently
Pumped the bilge dry , ran the engine and left it 24hrs .
24 hrs later .No rain has fallen . No new water has appeared . Domestic water system not pressurised .
So its not water from the engine.
Tightened possible leaky deck wash. It might need further attention.
Awaiting rain and awaiting time to test the domestic water system for a leak.
Think of possible sources an eliminate some until the answer is revealed.
Pumped the bilge dry , ran the engine and left it 24hrs .
24 hrs later .No rain has fallen . No new water has appeared . Domestic water system not pressurised .
So its not water from the engine.
Tightened possible leaky deck wash. It might need further attention.
Awaiting rain and awaiting time to test the domestic water system for a leak.
Think of possible sources an eliminate some until the answer is revealed.
jon and michie
Well-known member
Do you have air vents ? on mine Rain water gets in on the side vents and ends up in the bilge and as we havent had any decent weather I have pumped water out.
sailaboutvic
Well-known member
If it's has an enclosed engine bed it be coming from the engine some where as the enclosed bed are much higher then most places so as others have said it's most likely the sea water pump , the outer seal not hard to put right .
If it had a colour then the fresh water side
If it isn't enclosed remember water will run to the lowest spot
Jerry D
New member
My 2001 B361 had a leak from the two bolts holding the steering stop, a heavy aluminum T that catches the rudder pulley. The Allen head tapered bolts penetrate the floor aft of the helm; About where your heels would be if standing at the helm. The bolts were not long enough to use a lock nut so I ordered 3 1/2” long, 1/2” diameter bolts washers and nuts from McMaster Carr and bedded with butyl. I can provide a part number if needed As it took some digging to find the tapered bolts.
The water from the leak fell on the interior panel below the steering pedastol and trailed aft, came down the wall, and soaked the bottom of the cushion while leaving the top of the cushion dry. Was quite the mystery.
The water from the leak fell on the interior panel below the steering pedastol and trailed aft, came down the wall, and soaked the bottom of the cushion while leaving the top of the cushion dry. Was quite the mystery.
sailaboutvic
Well-known member
Had to remove mine not long ago to be able to turn the steering quadrant enough to remove bolt to drop the rudder ,
has you said it’s a blood heavy bit of kit .
luckly mine was long enough but it was still a stran to hold it up with one hand while someone in the other small locker got the nut and washer on.
I just put a blob of silfex and let it go off before tighen the bolt .
been ok .
snowbird30ds
Well-known member
If you can dry it properly chalkdust can give away where it's coming from if running down the hull.
oldgit
Well-known member
H,mm.You think you have got a problem ?
A ...........MWE. **
A cup or so of water each week in the mid bilge right under the Poo tank,was mentioned in the survey and commented on by the broker.
Check very carefully entire black water system, several times.
Nope.
The Taste Test......O Yes !
Fresh (ish) water, but still check all hull fittings and various engine cooling hoses and fastenings throughout boat.
Nope
Start at the top and work down.
Check all flybridge and deck drains including radio aerial cable seals and stantion, windlass /deck seals.
Nope
Any water entry via boat wash down or rain via engine room vents.
Nope
Check shower tray/ sink / bog seals and in desperation change out shower pump out box.
Nope
Check galley both water supply and waste.
Nope
Remove both Fridges ?
Nope
Check Calorifier and pipework
Nope
Life is getting to short and what a wonderful device the VAX is but but the problem remains like grit in the oyster.
"When you have eliminated all which is possible then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
S Holmes E.sq.
OK, no more nice guy
French boats are not renown for access to bilges, this was easily solved with with brute force and a cheapo hole cutter.
An afteroons work produced several holes in the bottom of various lockers and some neat access hatches fabricated using the removed circles of wood.
The curious case of water under the Poo Tank was Solved and only took 12 months.
One of the impossible to inspect outer bilges under the fridge was full of water. When it became full it the surplus drained into the bilge immediately below and then drained to the bilge holding the Poo Tank.
Almost certainly been like it from NEW !
** Mysterious Water Event.
A ...........MWE. **
A cup or so of water each week in the mid bilge right under the Poo tank,was mentioned in the survey and commented on by the broker.
Check very carefully entire black water system, several times.
Nope.
The Taste Test......O Yes !
Fresh (ish) water, but still check all hull fittings and various engine cooling hoses and fastenings throughout boat.
Nope
Start at the top and work down.
Check all flybridge and deck drains including radio aerial cable seals and stantion, windlass /deck seals.
Nope
Any water entry via boat wash down or rain via engine room vents.
Nope
Check shower tray/ sink / bog seals and in desperation change out shower pump out box.
Nope
Check galley both water supply and waste.
Nope
Remove both Fridges ?
Nope
Check Calorifier and pipework
Nope
Life is getting to short and what a wonderful device the VAX is but but the problem remains like grit in the oyster.
"When you have eliminated all which is possible then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
S Holmes E.sq.
OK, no more nice guy
French boats are not renown for access to bilges, this was easily solved with with brute force and a cheapo hole cutter.
An afteroons work produced several holes in the bottom of various lockers and some neat access hatches fabricated using the removed circles of wood.
The curious case of water under the Poo Tank was Solved and only took 12 months.
One of the impossible to inspect outer bilges under the fridge was full of water. When it became full it the surplus drained into the bilge immediately below and then drained to the bilge holding the Poo Tank.
Almost certainly been like it from NEW !
** Mysterious Water Event.
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ex-Gladys
Well-known member
If tasting water, which I did quite often, I always go back to O level Chemistry practical advice... dip finger in the fluid, place finger on tongue, then spit out...
Supertramp
Well-known member
I have found that a bout of hard sailing can make water appear in strange places. Once traced back to water splashing out of the kettle! But for the OP, as suggested, sample the water, clean the bay and engine, lay tissue (blue cleaning paper towels on a roll from BQ) and watch.
tillergirl
Well-known member
Umm. Can I suggest you all get wooden boats and just sail. So much more fun. A bead of mositure in the wooden bilge keeps everything fresh.
oldgit
Well-known member
Just before some war or other used to have a Saturday job in proper boatyard.
Sometimes hulls were filled with River Medway to tighten up the seams before being pumped out and officially launched.
Remember visiting a new fully fitted out wooden yacht at some unearthly hour to check it had not sunk.
Tales that wooden lighters were sunk for a tide to get rid of rats or other vermin.
The blocks are still just visible below Aylesford Bridge.
Remember all Dad's wooden workboats determinedly rotting away beneath his feet,until bought a steel workboat , that simply rusted.
It must have doubled in weigh due to double plating.
The smell of damp cabin with hints of diesel can never be forgotten.
Wood is woodworm dinner. Glassfibre is forever.
Sometimes hulls were filled with River Medway to tighten up the seams before being pumped out and officially launched.
Remember visiting a new fully fitted out wooden yacht at some unearthly hour to check it had not sunk.
Tales that wooden lighters were sunk for a tide to get rid of rats or other vermin.
The blocks are still just visible below Aylesford Bridge.
Remember all Dad's wooden workboats determinedly rotting away beneath his feet,until bought a steel workboat , that simply rusted.
It must have doubled in weigh due to double plating.
The smell of damp cabin with hints of diesel can never be forgotten.
Wood is woodworm dinner. Glassfibre is forever.
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johnalison
Well-known member
If I need to test water anywhere like under the engine, I use my longest, ie middle finger, but then lick my index. It tastes much better and I can tell the crew whatever they want to hear.
