Engine bilge drain

[WestCoastMike]

I was cleaning the boat today and noticed water in the galley and in front of the engine access. I opened the access panel to find the bilge, that for the previous year had been bone dry, almost overflowing. I cannot find an immediate source of the water but I also cannot find the drain for this bilge. There are 2 hoses that run out the the starboard fwd corner of the bilge and I'm wondering if they are in the bilge drain hole.

 

[Rich M]

The bilge under the engine does NOT have a drain. This prevents any oil, fuel from entering the main bilge and possibly making you responsible for a significant fine. Suggest you find the source and use a rag or sponge to keep that area as dry as possible.

 

[WestCoastMike]

I thought that after I posted. Thanks for clearing that up Rich.

Could it have been the fridge? I have looked behind and around the diesel and there is no indication of any water tracking down and the FW cooling system is tight. I thought it might be the stern seal but that area is dry too. It has also not rained here for over 2 weeks which leads me to eliminate rain water.

My friend was watching the boat while I was away for 2 weeks and switched off my DC mains for 24 hours. The fridge totally defrosted. The water was clear and although it had a slightly salty taste (hey I'm a submariner we always taste to see if the leaks are fresh or salt) was not salt water.

Mike

 

[navigator97]

It could be from the vented loop anti-syphon valve at the rear of the engine on the bulkhead. A hose takes the warm cooling sea water from the engine past the vented loop and then to the mixing elbow where it goes out with the exhaust (wet exhaust). That would only leak when the engine is running. But it would be salt water, not fresh. If it was from the fresh water cooling loop it would have anti-freeze/coolant in it, and have a yellow green look. One of the hoses that you refer to takes the fresh water coolant, and delivers it to the hot water heater under the aft dining bench. Another hose then returns it from the water heater to the engine. I'm not sure where else the water may be coming from, unless it leaked thru the companionway and down during a heavy rain.

 

[psherwin]

It could be from the vented loop anti-syphon valve at the rear of the engine on the bulkhead. A hose takes the warm cooling sea water from the engine past the vented loop and then to the mixing elbow where it goes out with the exhaust (wet exhaust). That would only leak when the engine is running. But it would be salt water, not fresh. If it was from the fresh water cooling loop it would have anti-freeze/coolant in it, and have a yellow green look. One of the hoses that you refer to takes the fresh water coolant, and delivers it to the hot water heater under the aft dining bench. Another hose then returns it from the water heater to the engine. I'm not sure where else the water may be coming from, unless it leaked thru the companionway and down during a heavy rain.

Had the same deal. It comes from the fridge.

 

[psherwin]

I had the same thing. Determined it to come from fridge.

 

[Tom H31]

Water in engine bilge

In our vintage 1986 H31 the water in the engine bilge comes from the shaft log packing gland. It is supposed to drip to keep the shaft cool and this water has no where to go but into the engine bilge. We manually pump it out periodically.

 

[Robert 47]

Is the perfect reason to have "Dripless Packing" on these model Hunters. In most of these compartments, there are holes to drain. But where do they drain? Most will drain between the hull and the liner. Rich is correct, there is no drain from the engine compartment. Some will drain to the bildge, but I don't think anybody really knows which one drains where. Check into the Dripless Packing, I have had it for years and have a dry engine compartment all the time. Is worth the expense. We where anchored a few weeks back with friends, and they awoke to water in the flloor of their boat. Leaking packing nut. Lucky for them I was next to their boat, water drained into their fuel tank, and motor wouldn't start. Had to tow them back to harbor, while pumping out with a hand pump. Good Luck.

Robert 47

 

[WestCoastMike]

After some time motoring I have determined that it is the shaft packing. I will look in to dripless packing as a replacement option for the next haul out. Thanks all.

Mike

 

[Rios on the river]

Crazy on the River

Any time I accidently overfill my water tank, the drainage, from the aft lazeret, ends up exactly where you are talking about...

Best regards,
Jesse