Water in bilge

[j2nh]

Just picked up my 05 196 last Friday. No complaints other than the bilge pump seems to be running alot. Say every 20 minutes when the boat is in the water. I've checked all of the usual suspects including the dripless and can't find the source of the water. It seems to be coming from the stern of the boat. A steady stream is coming forward from that area. Rudder? Exhaust? Given that I ordered the trick tank I have a feeling that access to ANYTHING in that area is going to be a monumental task. Valve to the tank is closed.

Anybody have any thoughts as to what it might be?

TIA
Jim

[OldFart]

RE: Water in bilge

Hate to even suggest this, tho an easy fix, but there could be a leak @ a rear mount part. Back ur trailer down the ramp to put the transom / rear of the boat in the water. Don't recall what ur trick tank is sitting on, but u may be able to look into the bilge @ the trunk OR via the engine compartment. OR let your dealer chek it out

[j2nh]

Took some digging but found the leak. Water entering around the top of the hole where the exhaust passes through the transom. Steady stream.

Kinda angry about this one cause it should have been caught when the boat was water tested. Boat has dripless packing so a bunch of water in the boat should have been caught.

My dealer is an hour away and time is everything. Anybody ever fix something similar and what did you use?

TIA
Jim

[OldFart]

I suspect that b4 the day is out, someone more qualified than I, will help u. Do you mean the top SCREW of the exhaust OR at the actual exhaust? OF

[j2nh]

It appears that the leak is between the transom itself and the through hull exhaust fitting. The fitting is held to the transom with 4 screws and I would imagine some kind of sealant. Nylock nuts appear to be tight so I am guessing that it is the result of an incomplete application of the sealant during installation.

This is my third new Nautique (99, 02, 05) and I love both skiing behind and driving the boat. I do find the little things disturbing on a boat that cost this much. Call me crazy but I do not think that new boats should leak. Nor do I think that the quick drain hose should be laying on the engine drive belt at delivery.

I have an outstanding dealer who will no doubt resolve this quickly. My problem is the same as everybody's, it is just not convenient to drive an hour to the dealer, drop off the boat, and then return in a couple of days to pick it up.

[j2nh]

Spoke the dealer this morning. They are going to repair the leak using 3M 5200 sealant while I wait. Good service. He said the job wasn't to tough but anybody trying to do this needs to be sure and wear rubber gloves, I guess this stuff is kinda nasty to work with.

Once that gets fixed and I can get a dry bilge I can try to locate the just discovered oil leak in the ZR6.

Jim