I have had water in my bilge for years. I always thought it might be dripping from the shafts. Now use gortex. Stopped the dripping recaulked all the thru hulls. Now I am thinking might be a slow leak coming through drain plug. Thinking of changing the whole fitting. It is an 85 and afraid might open a bigger problem then trying to to solve. Anyone change the whole fitting.
DRAIN PLUG
- Thread starter Brian
- Start date
I had water seeping around the outer ring that holds the drain plug in my 90 baja. My mechanic just tore the whole thing out and put in a new one using 3M 5200. I was a little nervouse about it but it was really quite a simple thing.
I think it is just a very slow leak. From inside I really can't see it. I just feel the threads might have gotten crossed over the years. I have tried to check everything and this is the last item. After about three or four days I have a about 3 inches of water in the back bilge. I had something happen like this on a jetski.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2002
- RO Number
- 10503
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- 3,677
If it's not a Trailer boat it dont need a drain plug. Take it out and fix the hole forever.
I've never put any sealant on my plug itself, it's brass on brass and self sealing. I would just reseat the base unit including the screws. My bilge is always dry except after a rain, it comes in thru the vents. (no drains on the vent boxes)
Brian:
36' Chris - you must be referring to a "garboard" drain. If so, these are typically bronze, not brass or rubber although there are some newer ones of nylon. 1/2". Threaded fitting is from inside of the hull. They are not expensive or hard to replace, however, I suggest that you eliminate all other possibilities before you do. Is the bilge area with the drain compartmentalized or open all the way to the transom? If the area under the cockpit has limber holes to the engine compartment, it might be rain water. If you are able to dry the bilge and water reappears without running the engines, then you can eliminate a raw water system leak. You have eliminated drive and rudder shaft logs-what about through hulls? I had a sink drain through-hull that was cracked and leaked water into the cabinet, took forever to find it. Possible shower sump leak or any hose. Domestic water line leak between tank and pump? Try putting colored food dye around any through hulls or suspected areas and check latter for any signs of water running.
Gene
36' Chris - you must be referring to a "garboard" drain. If so, these are typically bronze, not brass or rubber although there are some newer ones of nylon. 1/2". Threaded fitting is from inside of the hull. They are not expensive or hard to replace, however, I suggest that you eliminate all other possibilities before you do. Is the bilge area with the drain compartmentalized or open all the way to the transom? If the area under the cockpit has limber holes to the engine compartment, it might be rain water. If you are able to dry the bilge and water reappears without running the engines, then you can eliminate a raw water system leak. You have eliminated drive and rudder shaft logs-what about through hulls? I had a sink drain through-hull that was cracked and leaked water into the cabinet, took forever to find it. Possible shower sump leak or any hose. Domestic water line leak between tank and pump? Try putting colored food dye around any through hulls or suspected areas and check latter for any signs of water running.
Gene