Hello everyone, So I'm just back from a seven month deployment to Iraq and now I'm deep in the process of bringing my boat back up specs and one of the things that has me baffled is a fresh water leak I can't pin down. I had this leak before I left for deployment but was never able to figure out where it was coming from. I own a 2000 model year Hunter 340 and so far in attempting to track down this leak all I have checked the pump, the water heater and all the lines connecting the two (all the lines I can see anyway). None of these have any visable water leaking from them. There also does not appear to be any water coming from where the lines attach to either the galley sink or the head sink. I know I have a leak because my bilge keeps filling up with fresh water and my bilge pump ends up running for 15-20 seconds every 15 or so minutes. The water pump also occasionally runs when I don't turn on the water (presumably because it is re-pressurizing the system after a loss of pressure from the leak). Also I have fairly low water pressure when I do run the water, so that tells me that something isn't working quite right. Finally when I run the cold water I will get intermittent bursts of hot water even though the hot water knob is completely closed... I don't know if this is clue to what is happening but perhaps it is. Anyway if anyone has any idea about what is going on or where my leak might be I would really appreciate the help. There are some lines that run through the bowls of the boat that I can't see that well, so I suppose there could be a crack in them causing my problem but I'm not sure. Like I said any help on this one would be greatly appreciated because right now I'm completely baffled. Thanks, -Levin
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I don't have any idea
Sorry Levin, I'm not familiar with your boat so I can't be of any help with your leak. I just wanted to say Thanks, and Welcome back! Best regards, big Joe.
Sorry Levin, I'm not familiar with your boat so I can't be of any help with your leak. I just wanted to say Thanks, and Welcome back! Best regards, big Joe.
Welcome Back And Thanks
Your water leak sounds like you need to start checking all your lines,starting from your water tank to the pump and from the water pump out to all lines.
Your water leak sounds like you need to start checking all your lines,starting from your water tank to the pump and from the water pump out to all lines.
Some boats have a
15 min timer on there bilge, not sure why but i know a few boats with that even though there is no water in the bilge it turns on for 15 seconds or so for what ever reason. As to pressure, maybe your pump just needs replacing, although i could just be looking to positive and you do have a leak, good luck!
15 min timer on there bilge, not sure why but i know a few boats with that even though there is no water in the bilge it turns on for 15 seconds or so for what ever reason. As to pressure, maybe your pump just needs replacing, although i could just be looking to positive and you do have a leak, good luck!
just a thought
if all your line and connections don't leak, check that the hot water heater overflow is not the problems, the protection value may be faulty or the could be a internally water leak. But you may want to isolate the water heater(be sure to turn heater off at power panel) and see what happens,especialy since you are getting burst of hot water when running the cold. You can also help it trace the leak by sprinkling baby powder around the edges of the bilge and looking for water streaks,this will at least get you headed in the right direction and just try to follow where the water is coming from. Good Luck and Welcome Home !
if all your line and connections don't leak, check that the hot water heater overflow is not the problems, the protection value may be faulty or the could be a internally water leak. But you may want to isolate the water heater(be sure to turn heater off at power panel) and see what happens,especialy since you are getting burst of hot water when running the cold. You can also help it trace the leak by sprinkling baby powder around the edges of the bilge and looking for water streaks,this will at least get you headed in the right direction and just try to follow where the water is coming from. Good Luck and Welcome Home !
i had a similar problem
I had the same problem on my Catalina 310 2002, and i found that it was my pump's gasket that was puncture. The pump was stopping and the drop of pressure trough the gasket made it start again and again. I just change the pump and vever had a problem since. PS: I hope you can understand my english, oviously it's not my natibe language
I had the same problem on my Catalina 310 2002, and i found that it was my pump's gasket that was puncture. The pump was stopping and the drop of pressure trough the gasket made it start again and again. I just change the pump and vever had a problem since. PS: I hope you can understand my english, oviously it's not my natibe language
Levin, By now you should have pumped ALL of
your fresh water overboard. The presence of hot water in the cold water line indicates a back flow from the water heater. The frequency of the bilge pump runs are suspect. It would seem to indicate a major leak. Have you visually inspected the bilge for the inflow of water? Kraft paper is an excellant water indicator as is cardboard. But the magnitude of the leak indicated by pump runs should make it very visible.
your fresh water overboard. The presence of hot water in the cold water line indicates a back flow from the water heater. The frequency of the bilge pump runs are suspect. It would seem to indicate a major leak. Have you visually inspected the bilge for the inflow of water? Kraft paper is an excellant water indicator as is cardboard. But the magnitude of the leak indicated by pump runs should make it very visible.
Mixing Valve
Ross mentioned the possible backflow of hot water, if you have a mixing valve on your shower, this could possibly be the problem. Welcome back, dispite what you see on the evening news all of us appreciate the sacrifice and efforts of all you veterans. THANK YOU.
Ross mentioned the possible backflow of hot water, if you have a mixing valve on your shower, this could possibly be the problem. Welcome back, dispite what you see on the evening news all of us appreciate the sacrifice and efforts of all you veterans. THANK YOU.
Salute!
Army vet from Vietnam War salutes your service, thanks! Hunters used to be notorious for leaking at the rubrail. If yours is shaped in a squarish fashin, that could be it. Have someone hose down the gunwale while you're inside to see if water seeps in. If so, the solution is to remove the upper caulk and rebed using clear caulk and thin beed. No need for lower side.
Army vet from Vietnam War salutes your service, thanks! Hunters used to be notorious for leaking at the rubrail. If yours is shaped in a squarish fashin, that could be it. Have someone hose down the gunwale while you're inside to see if water seeps in. If so, the solution is to remove the upper caulk and rebed using clear caulk and thin beed. No need for lower side.
Levin; Welcome home. I agree with Ross. If it was that big of a leak on the pressure side your water pressure pump would run more often (continuously). I just installed a new water heater, and the instructions recommended a back flow valve be installed on the cold water side. Is there a screen (filter) on the input side of the water pump? If there is this could be the reason for low pressure.
Last Resort
Welcome home and thanks. Plumbers use a non toxic red food dye to chase elusive leaks. A good flashlight and some red food coloring should help. After the tanks are drained of the colored water flush with vinegar.
Welcome home and thanks. Plumbers use a non toxic red food dye to chase elusive leaks. A good flashlight and some red food coloring should help. After the tanks are drained of the colored water flush with vinegar.
Weak spot in my system is the back flow
valve on the cold water line into water heater mentioned by others. It's an unbarbed fitting held in the line by hose clamps which works loose, leaking slowly till it falls off completely. Check the path water would travel from heater to the bilge, I'd suspect the problem to be in/near the heater.
valve on the cold water line into water heater mentioned by others. It's an unbarbed fitting held in the line by hose clamps which works loose, leaking slowly till it falls off completely. Check the path water would travel from heater to the bilge, I'd suspect the problem to be in/near the heater.
Still scraching my head
Hello everyone... First let me say thanks to everyone welcoming me home... it is good to be back in the U.S. and I really appreciate the gratitude. ...now as for my leak. I was thinking it could perhaps be the pressure release valve on my hot water heater that was leaking because there is a line coming off this that goes below the floor boards down into the bowls of the ship where I have a hard time tracing it. If it is the pressure release valve wouldn't the bilge water be warm? (for the record it is definitely fresh water and it is definitely cold in the bilge). Not sure if this helps figure things out. Also if it was coming from the pressure release valve why would it be doing this? The hot water heater is just over a year old; I had it replaced when I bought the boat so although it could be malfunctioning it somehow seems unlikely. I still haven't been able to follow all the lines under the floor boards to see if they perhaps are leaking somewhere but what I have been able to follow has show no signs of obvious problems. I guess one of the lines could have a slight cut in them somewhere below the floorboards but if that is the case why am I getting hot water intermixed with my cold water... like I said this one is a real head scratcher. Anyway thanks again for everyone's help... any advice I can get that can help me figure this out is really appreciated.
Hello everyone... First let me say thanks to everyone welcoming me home... it is good to be back in the U.S. and I really appreciate the gratitude. ...now as for my leak. I was thinking it could perhaps be the pressure release valve on my hot water heater that was leaking because there is a line coming off this that goes below the floor boards down into the bowls of the ship where I have a hard time tracing it. If it is the pressure release valve wouldn't the bilge water be warm? (for the record it is definitely fresh water and it is definitely cold in the bilge). Not sure if this helps figure things out. Also if it was coming from the pressure release valve why would it be doing this? The hot water heater is just over a year old; I had it replaced when I bought the boat so although it could be malfunctioning it somehow seems unlikely. I still haven't been able to follow all the lines under the floor boards to see if they perhaps are leaking somewhere but what I have been able to follow has show no signs of obvious problems. I guess one of the lines could have a slight cut in them somewhere below the floorboards but if that is the case why am I getting hot water intermixed with my cold water... like I said this one is a real head scratcher. Anyway thanks again for everyone's help... any advice I can get that can help me figure this out is really appreciated.
If you're getting hot mixed with cold
it's either in one of the faucets, or some weird piping connections, or in the check valve. The purpose of the check valve is to prevent hot water from seeping back into the cold water system. The check valve is the most likely culprit, and that's what I'd work on if it was my boat. I believe West Marine Advisors have a good flow diagram of a hot water boat system, not sure if it's online, but know it's in the catalog, or any other website with good stuff, like maybe BoatUS, would have these diagrams. I always keep a WM catalog on board, because in addition to parts, those advisors sure come in handy if you don't have Calder's book with you all the time (I keep that one at home for fun and games reading!)
With all this input, plus your boat being right in front of you (now, thank goodness, & welcome back safe and sound), I recommend stepping back a tad, and checking step-by-step once you get the understanding of how the "system" is supposed to operate. Good luck, and keep us posted.
it's either in one of the faucets, or some weird piping connections, or in the check valve. The purpose of the check valve is to prevent hot water from seeping back into the cold water system. The check valve is the most likely culprit, and that's what I'd work on if it was my boat. I believe West Marine Advisors have a good flow diagram of a hot water boat system, not sure if it's online, but know it's in the catalog, or any other website with good stuff, like maybe BoatUS, would have these diagrams. I always keep a WM catalog on board, because in addition to parts, those advisors sure come in handy if you don't have Calder's book with you all the time (I keep that one at home for fun and games reading!)
With all this input, plus your boat being right in front of you (now, thank goodness, & welcome back safe and sound), I recommend stepping back a tad, and checking step-by-step once you get the understanding of how the "system" is supposed to operate. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Levin, you still haven't defined the volume
of water spilled in a time frame. fifteen minutes and the bilge pump runs for 15 seconds is as close as you get. You are certain that it is fresh water and it is not hot. Switch off the pressure water pump and see if the problem continues. There maybe a leak in the suction side plumbing for the pump. That would make the pump suck air and could put a bubble in the water heater. That would cause some of the back flow. Are you connected to the water supply on shore? Does the water tank automatically refill? I think that you need to isolate the water system. As I said earlier this leak should be draining your water tank. I am suspicious of the shore side water supply. If you have an automatic float switch for refills. there could be a leak between the soleniod valve and the water tank.
of water spilled in a time frame. fifteen minutes and the bilge pump runs for 15 seconds is as close as you get. You are certain that it is fresh water and it is not hot. Switch off the pressure water pump and see if the problem continues. There maybe a leak in the suction side plumbing for the pump. That would make the pump suck air and could put a bubble in the water heater. That would cause some of the back flow. Are you connected to the water supply on shore? Does the water tank automatically refill? I think that you need to isolate the water system. As I said earlier this leak should be draining your water tank. I am suspicious of the shore side water supply. If you have an automatic float switch for refills. there could be a leak between the soleniod valve and the water tank.
Water leak
Levin, First off thank you for your service from an old air force vet. Now about that leak. First the amount time your bilge pump is running is suspect. That is a pretty good water leak. So, my first thought would be do you have water to the boat with a hose connection. That would certainly account for a large amount of water. If that is not the case, then you can isolate the problem to a fairly local area by. Turn off and close the valves to the hot water heater. If that doesn't stop it, next step is to turn off the water pump. If turning off the pump stops the leak, it will be between the pump and the water tank. If not, it is after the pump. If you get it isolated this far it give you a definate area to look at.
Levin, First off thank you for your service from an old air force vet. Now about that leak. First the amount time your bilge pump is running is suspect. That is a pretty good water leak. So, my first thought would be do you have water to the boat with a hose connection. That would certainly account for a large amount of water. If that is not the case, then you can isolate the problem to a fairly local area by. Turn off and close the valves to the hot water heater. If that doesn't stop it, next step is to turn off the water pump. If turning off the pump stops the leak, it will be between the pump and the water tank. If not, it is after the pump. If you get it isolated this far it give you a definate area to look at.
Start point, end point
Welcome back HOOOOOA. ALWAYS great to have our men in uniform home again. OPORD 0001 LEAKS OUT 1. Enemy Situation: The forces of corrosion and bad winter weather are conspiring to reduce the sailing pleasure in numerous ports across the US. Specifically certain bow compartments in boats located in SFS. The enemy will continue to cause disruption to reduce our fun and is anticipated to change his tactics from cold weather and ice jammed harbors to wild weather and squall lines. Enemy corrosion elements are anticipated to maintain their assault on us UFN. 2. Mission: Find and eliminate the fresh water leak in Leven's boat. 3. Execution: Turn off the FWP and bail the bilge. Emplace baby powder around the water ingresses to the bilge and monitor for enemy movement. Upon sighting the enemy, trace his ROM back to his release point and conduct branch plan STOPIT. If enemy ROM can not be determined, conduct detailed point recon of fresh water supply lines starting at holding tank and moving along the cold water supply till the hot water heater is reached. Then trace the hot water line to its terminus. The use of tissue paper is authorized to locate enemy elements. This is an economy of force mission. 4. Service and Support: BYOB and tools. No support from higher headquarters is authorized or expected. 5. Command and Signal: The Hunter owners web site will be available for consult 24/7. Chain of command is Leven. (you're it bud) God Bless America and Good Luck
Welcome back HOOOOOA. ALWAYS great to have our men in uniform home again. OPORD 0001 LEAKS OUT 1. Enemy Situation: The forces of corrosion and bad winter weather are conspiring to reduce the sailing pleasure in numerous ports across the US. Specifically certain bow compartments in boats located in SFS. The enemy will continue to cause disruption to reduce our fun and is anticipated to change his tactics from cold weather and ice jammed harbors to wild weather and squall lines. Enemy corrosion elements are anticipated to maintain their assault on us UFN. 2. Mission: Find and eliminate the fresh water leak in Leven's boat. 3. Execution: Turn off the FWP and bail the bilge. Emplace baby powder around the water ingresses to the bilge and monitor for enemy movement. Upon sighting the enemy, trace his ROM back to his release point and conduct branch plan STOPIT. If enemy ROM can not be determined, conduct detailed point recon of fresh water supply lines starting at holding tank and moving along the cold water supply till the hot water heater is reached. Then trace the hot water line to its terminus. The use of tissue paper is authorized to locate enemy elements. This is an economy of force mission. 4. Service and Support: BYOB and tools. No support from higher headquarters is authorized or expected. 5. Command and Signal: The Hunter owners web site will be available for consult 24/7. Chain of command is Leven. (you're it bud) God Bless America and Good Luck
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