Hot Spot on Floor

[red89]

The floor in front of my driver seat is very warm.

I have a slight leak in the engine which I'm going to fix tomorrow, and the bilge does come out right under the hot spot. Could it be because of the hot water from the engine leak bilging???

Floor there is also usually wet, but I'm pretty sure that's just from people and fat sac getting a bunch of water in the boat.

Anyone had this before?

[janswake]

If you have a heater it could be the core leaking.When we got our first nautique in 08, a 02 super air team water was seeping right up through the floor in front of the drivers seat.Had to replace the whole heater box.

[red89]

I do have a heater, and that doesn't sound fun. If this is the problem, is there a way I can stop the leaking and heat, without replacing it??

Also.. the heater still works, does that mean it's something else?

[RONSYDOR]

Alternative Repair

If it is the heater core you can bypass the core by connecting the in/out water source. No heat but at least the floor will be dry.

[DanielC]

I am suggesting you have a heater core leak.

If you look at your engine you should be able to find two hoses about 1 inch in exterior diameter hooked to your engine that go forward. They can be hooked up to either side of the block, below the exhaust manifolds, to the intake manifold, somewhere near the front of the engine, (back of the boat in V-drive), or somewhere in the elbow for the circulating water pump, and in some cases right before the raw water pump.

Disconnecting these hoses from the engine, and plugging the engine side of the fitting, or hooking the two hoses together should be OK. Do not disconnect any cooling water hoses. If you do not know the difference, find somebody who does.

If you decide to remove the heater, and get to the core, it is usually just in front of the driver's kick panel, on the floor. The kick panel is held with four screws. If you do this, you can just get a short piece of pipe, and hook the two hoses together.

[jmo]

Another option is too install shutoff valves into the two hoses that feed the heater. I installed shut offs in mine so I don't cycle hot water through it in the summer in hopes of preserving it's life, and so I can shut off the water flow if the core does go south. This way you cam stop the leaking and then fix the heater core when your ready. I got the valves and clamps from Lowe's for $10.00. I can post a picture if that will help.

[shag]

I agree. Heater. If it is a Heatercraft, there is actually a core it cross-references with. I think it is from a 90's F150 or something.
Good idea with the shutoff valves! IMO, the heater is an excellent option.

[red89]

Shutoff valves sound like the option I'm going to with for now. A picture would be awesome. The heater is great, but a luxury. I will save fixing it for a later date, just want the dampness to go away for not. Thanks.

[jmo]

Here you are...

JMO

[red89]

Only one eh? I though I saw two hoses today, one up front, and one a little lower. Have to double check..

[jmo]

There are two, but it's not easy to get a clear picture of both in the same picture. I have a vdrive, so I put the shut offs near where the hoses connect to the block since I can easily reach them by opening the engine hatch. To access the heater core I would have to unscrew the kick plate underneath the dash.

[red89]

Awesome.. thanks for all the help. I'm going to put mine by the block too.