Normal Water Level In Engine Compartment

[larrybr45]

I have a 96 Sportster (one engine) and am a nove mechanically.

I have seen comments lately about water in the engine compartment and wanted to make sure I understood if I have a problem or not. I see water in my engine compartment after running the boat for some time. It comes up to the two "V" shaped areas where the drain plugs are. Just curious what is a "normal" level of water in an engine compartment when running a 96 sportster?

I am concerned as a couple people have indicated no water is normal when just running a boat for the day.

I am going to replace the scupper valve this weekend.

Any thoughts?

thanks

 

[Brew Master]

I have a 96 Sportster (one engine) and am a nove mechanically.

I have seen comments lately about water in the engine compartment and wanted to make sure I understood if I have a problem or not. I see water in my engine compartment after running the boat for some time. It comes up to the two "V" shaped areas where the drain plugs are. Just curious what is a "normal" level of water in an engine compartment when running a 96 sportster?

I am concerned as a couple people have indicated no water is normal when just running a boat for the day.

I am going to replace the scupper valve this weekend.

Any thoughts?

thanks

I don't think the scupper valve has anything to do with the water in the engine compartment, the scupper valve is what drains the water that splashes into your hull where you sit, the water then drain through a hole by the drivers feet and out the scupper valve

 

[CaptSteve]

I don't think the scupper valve has anything to do with the water in the engine compartment, the scupper valve is what drains the water that splashes into your hull where you sit, the water then drain through a hole by the drivers feet and out the scupper valve

I agree, the scupper is connected by a hose to the drain at the drivers foot. It does not drain into the engine compartment. I would look at a thru hull fitting or the shaft seal. You should also look at the exhaust system. They sometimes develop a small hole. Also check all the hoses and make sure they are tight.

 

[Dr Honda]

X3... The scupper is just for draining the passenger compartment.

The seadoo boats will take on some water. It's very normal because of the seal design. In my old sportster... I would drain a couple gallons. You have an electric bilge pump. As long as it's working... I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Albysure]

I have a 98 sportster 1800, had the same problem, mine was a easy fix. I just put the drain plug in and filled the engine compartment with water...don't go all crazy with water...keep it lower then the carbs, starter and other basic parts....plus when it drains it'll help clean it out a little...let it sit for a while then come out and check to see if you have any leaking spots...it might work or it might be something that requires the boat to be running in water for leak to happen. Mine was a simple gasket around the exhaust...it was dripping non stop, put new now I only got about cup of water in hull after running all day...

 

[mrclick]

Our 96 speester always has water in the bilge. If we are just puttering around it's dry. As soon as we start doing high speed spins we get a lot of water in the boat coming over the rails and over the back. Often times the water won't make it out of the scupper fast enough and it ends up flowing down into the bilge area through the deck lid for the ski compartment. I use a plug on the deck inlet when we're just puttering and there's 3 of us so the water doesn't flow back in thru the scupper valve. Also,I'm missing a couple of bolts holding the rear seat down so as the water come over the back I know it runs right into those holes under the seat and into the bilge. Lots of ways for water to get in on these boats.:driving: