water in engine compartment

[Lonetraveler]

I have a 2004 4-tec Sportster. I have had it about 3 years. I take it out about 6 times a year. When I pull it out of the water after running it for about an hour I pull the drain plugs and get about 5 gallons of water from the engine compartment. The boat runs fine no issues at all but my question is do I have a leak or will these boats get a certain amount of water in the engine compartment? Thanks for your help

 

[DJ230xp]

I get about a gallon of water an hour in the bilge. 5 sounds like carbon seal or other penetration is leaking.

 

[Lonetraveler]

wow what a great reply. how would you determine if it was a carbon seal or another penetration?
Thanks

 

[DJ230xp]

I intend to find out this answer when I pull my boat out of the water end of summer. Currently I don’t have a truck so I rely on friends. I think best way might be to fill bilge with garden hose water and look for drips when it’s on the trailer.

 

[POPPS]

Back it slowly into the water,,,,see if water is leaking thru carbon ring,,,if no observeable leak,,,get a second eye/helper/spotter,,take the storage cover off,,have motor cover up,,,drive the boat slowly,,,have your spotter look for leaks as you drive,,,sometimes the ring only leaks under power,,,a super powerful flashlight will be your friend,

 

[DJ230xp]

Back it slowly into the water,,,,see if water is leaking thru carbon ring,,,if no observeable leak,,,get a second eye/helper/spotter,,take the storage cover off,,have motor cover up,,,drive the boat slowly,,,have your spotter look for leaks as you drive,,,sometimes the ring only leaks under power,,,a super powerful flashlight will be your friend,

I second the super powerful flashlight! Eye dilation gets real messed up on any day worth taking the boat out! On a sunny day looking into the engine bay is like looking into a black abyss

 

[POPPS]

DJ,,,absolutely correct,,,,on a sunny day,,,you need the brightest flashlight money can buy,,,pwc hulls are so dark,,even on a sunny day,..,the pump area is so dark,,.

 

[MacSeaDoo]

Been there and have the t-shirt.

Do you have a go pro? That is how I ended up ending a simular thread for me.

It was a leak in my exhaust, but the go pro zip tied to a panel LCD allowed me to see what was really happening.