A lot of water dumping when drain plug pulled

[JPass]

I've noticed there's always quite a bit of water coming out of the bilge after a day out boating when we pull the drain plug. Today we were out for a few hours and there had to be 2 or 3 gallons of water coming out when the plug was pulled. Our old boat would have a few cups at best.

Should I be concerned or is this normal for these boats? She's a 2012 Challenger 210 SE.

Thanks

 

[pete63]

I've noticed there's always quite a bit of water coming out of the bilge after a day out boating when we pull the drain plug. Today we were out for a few hours and there had to be 2 or 3 gallons of water coming out when the plug was pulled. Our old boat would have a few cups at best.

Should I be concerned or is this normal for these boats? She's a 2012 Challenger 210 SE.

Thanks

is your bilge pump working? is it on auto?

 

[JPass]

yes. auto bilge works fine. rarely comes on though. I think it came on once since we've owned the boat (bought it not too long ago). It's come on when we've been stuck in rain. It just seems like too much water for my liking. Maybe the O-ring on the drain plug needs replacing? When I open the engine compartment, I cannot see any standing water in the bilge.

 

[xintersecty]

I have a feeling that water is getting by the carbon ring. Might want to watch while running.

 

[pete63]

yes. auto bilge works fine. rarely comes on though. I think it came on once since we've owned the boat (bought it not too long ago). It's come on when we've been stuck in rain. It just seems like too much water for my liking. Maybe the O-ring on the drain plug needs replacing? When I open the engine compartment, I cannot see any standing water in the bilge.

Search the forum on bilge pumps, i think the challenger has a the bilge not in the ideal low spot. so you will get some water not getting pumped out.
water leaking in can come from various places; drain plugs, scubber valve, exhaust seal, steering and reverse cables, carbon seal and the rear boat seal.

 

[JPass]

I looked around yesterday when she was running and couldn't see anything. On our old boat we could find leaks by filling the bilge on the trailer and looking for leaks on the exterior. I guess I could always give this a try. Next time I take her out I'll try to take a video of the water draining out so you guys can see.

 

[JPass]

So we went out today for about 4 hours. I'd say about 45 minutes of motoring around and the rest was spent anchored at the sandbar of our local lake. I lifted the engine cover several times and could never see any standing water anywhere. Here's a video of me opening the drain plug. I cut it off after a bit as it was still draining, but you get the point.

[video=youtube;OpKt3xELxII]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpKt3xELxII[/video]

 

[Eclipse1701d]

Do you and your passengers get in and out of the water? When you do, the water drains from the deck into the bilge... This could be the water that builds up... If not, there is probably more than should be... Have you checked the water lines running to the j-pipe? Maybe you have a loose fitting and you have a small leak while driving? That happened on my wife's ski.

 

[XP 787]

Does the water feel warm? If it is then it could be coming from exhaust. FYI the carbon ring must be checked while boat is running in water for leaks.

 

[JPass]

I haven't checked the water temp. I'll do that next. I did check for water leaks when she was running, but didn't see anything. I'll double check next time I take her out. While we did get in and out of the boat yesterday, it was only once and we stayed on the platform and drip dried for a few before climbing into the boat.

I'll post a video of the engine bay with the motors running next time I am out and show you what I am seeing.

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[pwgsx]

Mine was leaking where the back bumpers were riveted as well as the back seam.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Rear seam which is covered by molding is a common issue as it rides below the water line when in the water.

You can leave it on the trailer at the ramp and see if water runs in.


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[xintersecty]

You have said multiple times that you don't see any water in bilge. There is a about 4 inch gap under the engine that hides a few gallons. Also have you check your ski locker. It's actually the lowest point in the boat.

 

[JPass]

You have said multiple times that you don't see any water in bilge. There is a about 4 inch gap under the engine that hides a few gallons. Also have you check your ski locker. It's actually the lowest point in the boat.

I have checked the ski locker as I empty it each time we go out. There's always water in it. Not much, maybe a half gallon or so, but it appears to come from the engine compartment from what I can tell. When we get home from a day on the water we park the trailer nose high to help with drainage. When I level the boat so I can safely do things on it (clean, etc) I notice water coming from engine bay into locker as I am vacuuming out the water in the locker.

I'll definitely be checking more things when I head out next weekend. I'll also take some before and after pics and some video to show you what we are seeing.

Again.......thanks for all the help.

 

[timeman]

My guess is it's coming in where the hull halves are joined. I believe there's a seam covered by the rub rail....

 

[JPass]

My guess is it's coming in where the hull halves are joined. I believe there's a seam covered by the rub rail....

I'll definitely check this out, but the rear rub rail is about 8 inches above the water line. Not sure how water would get in from this seam being that it's not below the water line. Am I missing something?

 

[James.Moon]

I believe it is leaking - there are a lot of places where the jet pump and engine interfaces with the hull that require silicone sealing.
I had my 2009 180SE redone under warrantee after a big fight with the dealer mechanic - first they said it didn't leak when they put water in the hull and none came out - then I convinced them they have to leave it in the water to prove anything as the pressure under floating conditions if many time that of a few gallons poured into the hull. They finally agreed and redid it once and it still leaked so they redid it again - It is a major job - they would tell me how many hours but I know they took a lot of things apart because the damaged my steering cable in the process - so it wouldn't turn left at speed. Don't be fooled by the water being hot - the water is so close beneath the engine that it will always feel hot when checked. I doubt there is an easy fix - if you have the extended warrantee like I had you should take it to the dealer.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Also check for any hull damage...a tiny crack will let water in. Go over every inch of the hull. You may want to keep it on the trailer but dunk it in the water at the ramp and leave it for 10-15 minutes and see what you find.....obviously do this on a slow day at the ramp.

 

[JPass]

I've had the boat out several times since I first posted this and I am unable to see any visible water leaking into the boat. I recently buffed the hell out of the boat and didn't see any cracks or places for water to enter the hull. I've been under the boat to install a keel guard and to inspect the intake grate areas. No cracks or places for water entry that I could see.

I recently purchased a USB endoscope, so I can get the camera down into the crevices of the engine compartment. I plan on taking another look this weekend. I still get water out of the drain after each outing, but none as bad as the video posted here. I've had the boat in the lake for 6 - 8 hours since and the bilge never ran once. This water issue is annoying, but I'm not super worried about it.

I appreciate all the suggestions and help. Thanks.

 

[James.Moon]

If you take it out of the water after each outing, I expect you can live with it indefinitely. When I had the leak in my 2009 180SE, I found it was not significant when boating with movement, however if I let it sit for 2 to 3 hours at lunch time, more water would come in. Sometimes the bilge pump would kick in -however when away from the boat, one doesn't know whether the bilge pump did its' job when you were away.
Usually it never got high enough to see any in the ski locker. Even after the bilge pump cuts out, there is enough water left under the engine that it will pour out when you pull the plugs on a ramp (at least for my boat) and it will always feel warm to hot. The mechanic never did find the actual leaking point - the only choice was to dismantle all and re-seal from scratch. I expect BRP is well aware of this scenario as I expect I am not the only one to have it done under warrantee.

 

[JPass]

Being that we just purchased the boat back in August and she is no longer under warranty, we will not be taking it in to a dealer to deal with fixing a leak. I'll just have to keep trying to see if I can pinpoint the leak.

 

[pete63]

just had a thought, a lot of guys have problems with the "ICS" leaking at the though hull. some just removed the system and silicone the hole up.
maybe get hold of a sports video camera with a led light and record a few hrs inside the hull at various points of interest.

 

[JPass]

just had a thought, a lot of guys have problems with the "ICS" leaking at the though hull. some just removed the system and silicone the hole up.
maybe get hold of a sports video camera with a led light and record a few hrs inside the hull at various points of interest.

I assume ICS is the Intake grate Cleaning System? Our boat doesn't have it, but I did notice the holes for it in the intake tunnel. Probably wouldn't hurt to maybe fill the holes with 5200.

Thanks

 

[pete63]

I assume ICS is the Intake grate Cleaning System? Our boat doesn't have it, but I did notice the holes for it in the intake tunnel. Probably wouldn't hurt to maybe fill the holes with 5200.

Thanks

yep, that might be something worth looking into....
some had the problem with the cable hole not being sealed properly

 

[Premix]

On my Speedster 150 I noticed the manufacturer has a half dozen or so 1/4" holes drilled into the inner hull starting near the rear motor mounts. The holes will let water drain out of the cavity between the layers of the hull when I fully tilt the boat up on the trailer. You may have water hiding in this cavity that drains slowly.

Hopefully your boat's cockpit drains water overboard and not into your bilge. Check the bilge drain hoses for leaks using water from a garden hose. If your cockpit pluming is weathered from harsh cleaning solvents, you may have failing drain hoses in your bilge.

On my Speedster they mounted the electric bilge pump too high off the bottom of the bilge to draw all the water out. I also don't appreciate the potential single point of failure of having an electric pump. The bilge drain plugs are also too high up for my liking.

My proposed solution is to install the bilge siphons from a 2005 RXP. This will let you place each of two siphon drains low in the bilge and you'll keep your bilges dry whenever the the engines are running. The e-pump will be an emergency back up or when the boat is moored. I consider this a good solution even better than having two electric pumps (like European versions do).