Leak Question 2001 340 Fiesta Vee

Carsnmorellc

Ok so I have posted before about this leak but never really dove into it because it was mid summer and I wanted to enjoy what few months I had left, but now that we are mid winter I am taking care of all lose ends so this year is (fingers crossed) fun filled and no issues.

Lets start, I have a 2001 Fiesta Vee 340.  The leak is from what we can tell coming from under the water heater, but no the water heater it self.  We do not think it is the water heater because the drip pan is completely dry.  It is probably the worst spot on the boat to diagnose because you can barely see, and you definitely can not get to it without removing the aft seating, bulkhead, and possibly AC and Hot Water Heater... yeah FML.  To see the leak or the area where we believe water is coming from I have removed the aft seating and the panel that closes in the AC.  

My question is to yall that know this boat, is there a through hull under the hot water heater.  My mind says NO, but I know where else water would be coming from.  Unless the hull was compromised during transport last year and there is a small crack....?

Also, how do I go about removing the seat paneling and bulkhead.  My marina said they will not touch that part of the job because they are not carpenters.  They haven't been much help and honestly couldn't even find out where the water was coming from in the first place.  I had to do that.  

Well thank you in advance for any and all help.  

Handymans342

I can't believe there is anything under the water heater

zaverin1

Pics ?

Carsnmorellc

I will head down there Sunday and take photos.  If nothing is below the water heater it seems I may have a small crack in the hull.  And if that is the case I may hold off on pulling the walls and seating out.  Until I pull the boat out of the water and give the exterior of the hull and good look.  If I can find a crack and have it repaired it would save me taking the stuff out. 

Handymans342

Where do you see water? I can't believe a crack in the hull

Handymans342

Remove water heater and then look

randy56

Are you sure it's not the water heater? Mine was leaking, from the water supply from the engine block, simple fix, without replacing the water heater. Was unhook the 3/4 water line from the engine block make a loop in the hose, back to the engine block, disconnecting the water at the heater. The water heater stopped leaking, and worked well on shore power, or generator. Hope you  Understand there are two way's to heat the water. In two different compartments inside the water heater. In my case only one side had rusted out. 
I'll bet 1 case of bud lite it's the water heater. 

zaverin1

Good point Randy 
my sea ray had the same issue
outer walls rusted but heating Element still worked good 

rasbury

I think I am an expert of figuring out where water is not coming from. Seriously, there are so many questions- point is, wherever the water is sitting or you see it may have zip to do with where its coming from- look at all the threads on this subject. I'm getting ready to pull my motor because I can't figure where a transom leak is. Screws through bow rails? Windows? Was it raining through the engine vents? Fittings for the heater, does it leak only when the motor is running or either way? You have to figure out ways to test and rule out different scenarios to figure out where it actually starts from. Water on the outside of the boat is fun- inside not so much and I get it.

LaRea

Turn off the fresh water pump and drain the water heater.  If the leak continues, it's not from the water heater.

zaverin1

I agree with larea 
And
ras did you splash her again to check for leaks or you just decided to pull the motor out.

raybo3

I thought he said he is in mid winter so I would assume the boat is out of the water. So do the opposite. Fill the water tank and turn of the fresh water system and see if you get water. If not then its not your fresh water system. Make sure you drain the system for the rest of the winter........ 

Carsnmorellc

I do not think it is the hot water heater due to the fact I did drain all the water from the boat and it still leaked.... I ran the shower by the swim platform into the lake until it ran dry.  Then turned on all the interior water faucets and shower until the were empty.  Pumped the boat out and leak was still there.  

Carsnmorellc

Boat is currently in the water.  It leaks 24/7.  Pumps out every 15 minutes.  It is currently hooked to shore power.  AC through hulls are closed.  Water pump is turned off.  Leak seems to be coming from under the water heater.  Tomorrow I'll have a photo or two.  I may just remove the AC and Water Heater.  The bulkhead seems a little bit of a project to remove.  

zaverin1

That’s a decent leak

Dream_Inn

Yes, this seems serious and needs looked at and figured out soon.

Liberty44140

Santa brought me one of these and boy does it work great for under $40 at seeing things in small places. Has lights and works with iPhone, may be worth it to look at your transom and under things to see the leak. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MYTHWK4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517114150&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=endoscope&psc=1

raybo3

Check the bottom of the transom bracket. Both of mine leaked and had to be done. (5 years apart)......

Carsnmorellc

Ok here is a video. Any insight??

https://youtu.be/8dV-bSvpbHY 

Handymans342

What is all that rust color??

Handymans342

Is your motors raw water cooled? 

Carsnmorellc

Yes my motor are and where the water is pooling up there is a small hole in the bulkhead that is the source of letting water in. Now what's behind that wall and where water is coming in....??

Handymans342

I think its from the solid black hose which goes to your motors and has raw water in it

Carsnmorellc

Sorry my motors are closed cooling.  Sorry texting and working and frustrated 

Handymans342

Has your coolant level gone down?

Handymans342

Does the water ever slow down or is it steady. I agree you need a bore scope asap

Carsnmorellc

Coolant level is good.  The leak is steady 24.7.

Carsnmorellc

And rust is from A.C. all in the pan,  it used to freeze up all the time. That was fixed a while ago.

Handymans342

Need bore scope. Go get one

Carsnmorellc

Are there any through hulls on the port side of the boat between the A.C. through hulls and the engine?

Carsnmorellc

Headed to Wal-Mart to see if they have one