Sailor of Fortune
Guru
Bruce K may be on track. If you can't find a source from below, windows,hatches decks etc need to be monitored.
I have a weird issue a bit like the Op, but mine is maybe even stranger. Because nothing is leaking in the ER, yet water is finding its way into the part of the bilge under the engine. Even if I had a leak there somewhere, it should not get into that sub-engine bilge, should it, because it is supposed to not communicate with any other part. It appears not to, because this water gets a bit oil-stanined, but it does not find its way into the main bilge at all. Rain water should not reach it there either. It is not from the engine or cooling system. The tiny amount that comes into the aft bilge from the stuffing box flows under this engine bilge via a conduit built into the bottom, to the front one and is pumped out normally by the auto bilge pump. I have to pump this engine bilge out periodically because it does not link to the main bilge, and sure enough, over time, more water gets in there. I have not taste tested it, but I think I'll test it with the multimeter resistance trick, as some one else suggested, and also my salt water pool test kit, as a double check.
Any ideas what it might be though..?
I didn't know that I had a coolant leak, it was that small, until a mechanic was aboard for an unrelated matter and he pointed out some staining on cooling pipes on the top of my engine. Once those were refastened, the small accumulation of water in the pan beneath the engine went away.
Peter, is this area where your shaft log is located? Do you have dripless?
If you keep your fresh water pump switch on, and all faucets closed while not used, if there is any leak on the fresh water line the pump will start at one moment to pressurize the line, does it occur?
1 drop every 5 second somewhere on the line will make liters at the end of the day. I noticed that my leak was on the fresh water because while not using water the pump was going on every 10 minutes or so and for 3 to 5 seconds.
Peter what I meant is to find out if it is coming from fresh or not, pressurize the line, stay onboard for a while and listen.
Sorry did not get that your er is isolated from any other water source
If the contained area is under the engine,and it`s not coming from the engine, and presumably not from above, and the area is truly separate with no communication inside the boat, then is it coming through the hull? Best check if it is salt.
Buy a TDS (total dissolved solids) tester on Amazon (or anywhere else) for < $20. The same kind boaters use on their RO water makers. Saltwater averages 3,500 ppm +/-. I've seen it as high as 6,000 ppm. Bottled & rain water usually < 100. Tap water ~ 400.
"pump was going on every 10 minutes or so and for 3 to 5 seconds."
You need a much bigger accumulator , 3-5 seconds of run time is not acceptable.
A/C condensate drain? When we 1st purchased our boat I looked everywhere for a freshwater leak in the bilge, then realized it was designed that way
Thanks everyone for the valuable information. I have discovered that the leak was from the fresh water tank. After draining it, there was no longer any water in the bilge. I am considering removing the original iron or stainless tank. Has anyone removed a tank of this size, if so ....was it difficult? ...........
Thanks everyone for the valuable information. I have discovered that the leak was from the fresh water tank. After draining it, there was no longer any water in the bilge. I am considering removing the original iron or stainless tank. Has anyone removed a tank of this size, if so ....was it difficult? Any suggestions? I currently live in Los Angeles County ...does anyone know where I can purchase a boom for the mass on a CHB 34' trawler? I also need to purchase an emergency steering tiller and a high/low cabin table. By the way, Minnie's in Costa Mesa, California does not have these items.