After a recent rain I noticed water in the engine compartment. It diden't seem to drain. Should there be a vent to the bilge. can I saferly drill a small hole to the bile through the floor of the engine compartment?
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"engine bilge pan"
It would appear you are talking about the pan under the engine and no you should NOT drill a hole in it. It is there intentionaly with no hole or drains to capture any oil or fuel that may leak from the engine so that it does not go into bilge and then get pumped out to open water.It may not be rain water but could be raw water from the cooling system check all hose and connections for leaks,check pumps etc. You did not mention boat or engine model but I would not suspect "rain" water in the engine compartment.That engine pan is there and required by law. If you alter it you will have problems if you good thru a Coast Guard inspection and any surveyor that may notice it (either for a resale or insurance survey) will note any hole or drain in the engine pan as a defect and a required repair.Fix the leak and you will fix your problems not to mention if there is a "rain" water leak it will most likely damage other parts of the boat over time. Good Luck !
It would appear you are talking about the pan under the engine and no you should NOT drill a hole in it. It is there intentionaly with no hole or drains to capture any oil or fuel that may leak from the engine so that it does not go into bilge and then get pumped out to open water.It may not be rain water but could be raw water from the cooling system check all hose and connections for leaks,check pumps etc. You did not mention boat or engine model but I would not suspect "rain" water in the engine compartment.That engine pan is there and required by law. If you alter it you will have problems if you good thru a Coast Guard inspection and any surveyor that may notice it (either for a resale or insurance survey) will note any hole or drain in the engine pan as a defect and a required repair.Fix the leak and you will fix your problems not to mention if there is a "rain" water leak it will most likely damage other parts of the boat over time. Good Luck !
Sources of "pan" water.
Before I used a "dripless" packing I would get water in the pan. The hole in the back of the pan under the stuffing box was not large enough. Drips from a too loose stuffing box would miss the hole to the bilge and run down into the pan. In later years I had way too much rain water in the pan. Turns out that one of the cockpit scupper hoses had come loose. That water found its way into the pan. My pan actually does have a drain hole. It is not visible to the casual inspection. It is small and high on the forward vertical front of the pan. The water never reached that level but the hole might keep it from going over the top and onto the galley sole. I think it was that way from the factory on my '79 H37C.
Before I used a "dripless" packing I would get water in the pan. The hole in the back of the pan under the stuffing box was not large enough. Drips from a too loose stuffing box would miss the hole to the bilge and run down into the pan. In later years I had way too much rain water in the pan. Turns out that one of the cockpit scupper hoses had come loose. That water found its way into the pan. My pan actually does have a drain hole. It is not visible to the casual inspection. It is small and high on the forward vertical front of the pan. The water never reached that level but the hole might keep it from going over the top and onto the galley sole. I think it was that way from the factory on my '79 H37C.
engine pan water
Had water under engine. No hose leaks but had a red tint to it. Thought could be anti-freeze. Not so. Did find that small section of silicone seal for fuel fill in cockpit was gone and water was running down outside of tube then ran along underside above fuel tank, and then along edge of engine cowl, which is teak, and gave the tint to water. A little dab of caulk did the trick. Too a while to find but relieved not engine block or hose. Good luck
Had water under engine. No hose leaks but had a red tint to it. Thought could be anti-freeze. Not so. Did find that small section of silicone seal for fuel fill in cockpit was gone and water was running down outside of tube then ran along underside above fuel tank, and then along edge of engine cowl, which is teak, and gave the tint to water. A little dab of caulk did the trick. Too a while to find but relieved not engine block or hose. Good luck
It is not legal...
to drain the engine pan into the bilge. This is to help avoid pollution from contaminants such as oil, anti-freeze and fuel. If you have checked all hoses and engine cooling system seals the most probable source of that water is the packing gland. The shaft turns and sprays water which runs down to engine pan. If adjusted to one drip every 15 seconds any water that goes into the pan can be cleaned with a piece of paper towel. Some folks install an oil soaking pad under the engine which will absorb small amounts of water and allow it to evaporate during periods at rest. Remember a spinning prop and shaft under sail will still spray water even if the engine is off so measure your drip rate under way. Hope this helps.
to drain the engine pan into the bilge. This is to help avoid pollution from contaminants such as oil, anti-freeze and fuel. If you have checked all hoses and engine cooling system seals the most probable source of that water is the packing gland. The shaft turns and sprays water which runs down to engine pan. If adjusted to one drip every 15 seconds any water that goes into the pan can be cleaned with a piece of paper towel. Some folks install an oil soaking pad under the engine which will absorb small amounts of water and allow it to evaporate during periods at rest. Remember a spinning prop and shaft under sail will still spray water even if the engine is off so measure your drip rate under way. Hope this helps.
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