Water under Diesel Engine

[David Harcourt]

I have a new Catalina 310 that I dearly love.Yesterday while sailing I discovered about three gallons of water under the engine. I could not find a valve or drain to empty the water, other than by hand? One, what might be causing the problem, and two, is there a drain that I am missing. Thanks for your help.

 

[Hugh]

stuffing box drips?

I get water under the engine from the stuffing box drips. Since its a new boat, you might check to see that the stuffing box is properly tightened. The flax may have settled a bit in the first 10-20 hours of use. With regular flax in there, your looking for a drip a minute when in neutral, and a few drips a minute when in gear.Under the engine there is a high lip, the water doesn't run right to the bilge. I think that's to prevent any fuel or oil spill from travelling throughout the boat.I used a wet-vac to suck out the water once a week or so. This year I changed to GFO dripless packing to try and stop the water. Didn't like the idea of salt water festering near my engine.

 

[brad]

Agreed.....you might make sure that

the cooling system isnt' leading somewhere but first thoughts would be the stuffing box

 

[David Harcourt]

Thanks!

Thank you for your help. I will look at it this weekend!David Harcourt