Taking on water

Dcicero1

My 97 captiva 212 is taking on water when in the lake. I tried running the engine on the trailer connected to the hose. I don't see any hoses or the engine leaking. I also put about 6 inches of water in the engine compartment with the hose. I found a small drip from the drain plug housing. I tightened the 3 screws that hold it to the hull and the drip stopped. I put it back in the lake and it's still taking on water. Any Ideas??

I also realized that my bilge pump float isn't working, the pump runs if I turn it on, but doesn't come on automatically.
I don't know where the float is located. I can see the pump but not the float switch.

randy56

the float switch is connected to the pump, or an internal one in the pump. probly needs replaced. water leaks can come from many places, engine hoses, engine not tight to transom, drain plugs in block, water pump, you may need to take off drain plug housing clean and reseal - 5200, use a flash light next time in the water. study everything.

zaverin1

Or the drive bellows

zaverin1

When it comes to the pump
its either a fully auto pump with built in float or float was separate but detached. If that's the case you would see loose wires.
if you can look at the brand and model of the pump quick google search will tell you what it is.
if you replace get a nice high volume auto pump

MarkB

Normal culprits areally drain plug, bellows, rain water overflow, transom plate, or leaking water pumps.

Dcicero1

What is used to seal the drain plug housing to the boat. I pulled out the 3 screws expecting a rubber gasket only to find a compound of some sort. I want to clean and seal it before I pursue anything further. I looked at the Bellows and don't see any obvious cracking on anything.

Black_Diamond

I used 4200 to seal that

NavyCTRC

3M 4200 or 5200...it needs to be completely sealed to the hull.

Dcicero1

Thanks, I found some 5200. I re sealed it but haven't had time to put it in the water to test it yet.

NavyCTRC

Did it work?