Jump to content

Welcome to TheMalibuCrew!

As a guest, you are welcome to poke around and view the majority of the content that we have to offer, but in order to post, search, contact members, and get full use out of the website you will need to Register for an Account. It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the TheMalibuCrew Family today!

LOOK at these Pictures and tell me it's OK!


Recommended Posts

I have a '99 Sportster and it seems to billage water much more frequently in the past. I NEVER used to have water under the motor, but now I seem to have an inch or two minutes after I put it in the water.

I did a "LEAK TEST" by putting the plugs in while in my driveway and then disconnected my battery. I then filled engine area with water to see where it would come out. The only place I found water EXITING was at the shaft.

HullandSunset043.jpg

SO I opened the rear exle compartment.

HullandSunset046.jpg

I opened this compartment above with all the screws. It also had a layer of clear silicone.

I noticed after filling the hull with water in the engine area that the water was coming through these two holes I believe. The packing nut and shaft were tight and not leaking.

Hullholes.jpg

1) Is water SUPPOSED to be coming IN/OUT of here? Wouldn't this lead to a constant leak into the boat?

2) Should I seal that up with some silicone? OR is this supposed to be there to drain something?

Link to comment

HDS leak. You'll get more advice soon from others on here who have dealt with it.

Looks to me as though the box separated from the hull. Did you hit something?

Edited by VinRLX
Link to comment

I did not hit anything. But it almost looks like those little slits SHOULD be there. But that wouldn't make sence either.

Link to comment

Wow Jack looks like you actually provided some useful info.

The proper fix is either grind/reglass, or grind and then fill with plexus. I would not use silicone, not enough holding power for this job.

-Chris

Link to comment

Are you asking seriously? If the search function did 3 letters, HDS would get you 150 threads. . .

Hydrophonic Dampening System supposedly quiets the boat by surrounding the drive shaft with water. Supposedly is a (perhaps) stronger design than others use.

Historically, if HDS is going to present a problem, it does so early in the boat's use. This occurs, as I understand it, due to the fiberglass not being laid up correctly in this area. If it presents a problem in later years, such as the OP, it's usually a result of hitting something.

Pete, didn't you have this problem once upon a time, or was that someone else?

Link to comment

Now I didn't hit anything, but there is water leaking into or rather out of that box during normal use that ends up filling up my engine bay with water. This requires that my billage pump frequently cycle. These holes are very small that I found, and I can't imagine any pressure behind it that 'currently' couldn't be blocked easily. But, I want your expert opinions that these can and should be filled before I do something stupid (which I have done in the past Whistling.gif )

So, are you guys telling me that the HDS box should NOT have any leaking into or out of beyond the infrequent drip through the shaft packing?!

By the way I have 200 hours on it just now, and the 'leak' has been there for probably the last 25 hours or so...

Edited by Malibudoc
Link to comment

This looks to be a clear example of the typical HDS issue.

The HDS will fill with water. Obviously, the shaft exits the hull through a hole and water comes in the same hole. What is not supposed to happen is that water should not be going under the glass which makes the box and allowing it to get into the bilge.

What many have done is to grind the inside of the box and seal it with plexus or something similar. My 99 Sporty had the same problem and I was able to reduce the leak to a minimal amount. I never got it perfect, but the boat never sat in the water so I wasn't overly worried about it.

Link to comment
Are you asking seriously? If the search function did 3 letters, HDS would get you 150 threads. . .

Hydrophonic Dampening System supposedly quiets the boat by surrounding the drive shaft with water. Supposedly is a (perhaps) stronger design than others use.

Historically, if HDS is going to present a problem, it does so early in the boat's use. This occurs, as I understand it, due to the fiberglass not being laid up correctly in this area. If it presents a problem in later years, such as the OP, it's usually a result of hitting something.

Pete, didn't you have this problem once upon a time, or was that someone else?

Believe it or not, I'm dead serious.

I don't see how surrounding the driveshaft with water will make a DD any quieter. A DD is noisy no matter what.

I've always had a VD so, no Jack, I've never had this issue. I was well aware of the numerous topics, I just never knew what was in the box. Now I know, there's nothing in the box but water. Lame.gif

Link to comment

I love the info. I really want 'permission' to seal up those little leak holes. I want to be confident that I'm not doing the wrong thing. At least temporarily I will use caulk as I don't have the fiberglass stuff to use.

If this is the right thing to do, does anyone have a quick lesson on a sloppy fiberglass repair?!

Thanks so much!

Link to comment
I love the info. I really want 'permission' to seal up those little leak holes. I want to be confident that I'm not doing the wrong thing. At least temporarily I will use caulk as I don't have the fiberglass stuff to use.

If this is the right thing to do, does anyone have a quick lesson on a sloppy fiberglass repair?!

Thanks so much!

Silicone won't work.

Try these links

http://www.everglass.org/shaftlog.htm

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index....=leak&st=20

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index....294&hl=leak

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index....339&hl=leak

Link to comment

The above threads will give you your long term fix's. I have an HDS question. When you are on plane it would seem logical to me that the water would drain from the HDS? No? Thats what happens when you pull the plug on a boat in motion.

Link to comment
I love the info. I really want 'permission' to seal up those little leak holes. I want to be confident that I'm not doing the wrong thing. At least temporarily I will use caulk as I don't have the fiberglass stuff to use.

If this is the right thing to do, does anyone have a quick lesson on a sloppy fiberglass repair?!

Thanks so much!

Silicone won't work.

Try these links

http://www.everglass.org/shaftlog.htm

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index....=leak&st=20

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index....294&hl=leak

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index....339&hl=leak

great links, this is quite helpful! thanks guys!

Link to comment

Cake repair to do, any glass shop should be able to do it for a minimum

From the looks of your pictures it looks like it's time to re-pack your shaft packing seal which could be letting more than normal amounts of water come in the boat. If you have a hard time finding packing cord or a wrench we have them both up on our parts site.

Shaft Tool - https://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1025

Shaft Flax Cord - https://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1024

Should be a easy and smooth repair for you! I've repaired a half dozen or so, most of the time it's from under water gear damage that causes the break but i did see some fail pre-mature because they were not sealed properly from the factory.

PS: If you are the original owner of the boat, there is a lifetime structure and hull warranty that should cover that Thumbup.gif

Link to comment
Cake repair to do, any glass shop should be able to do it for a minimum

From the looks of your pictures it looks like it's time to re-pack your shaft packing seal which could be letting more than normal amounts of water come in the boat. If you have a hard time finding packing cord or a wrench we have them both up on our parts site.

Shaft Tool - <a href="https://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1025" target="_blank">https://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1025</a>

Shaft Flax Cord - <a href="https://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1024" target="_blank">https://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1024</a>

Should be a easy and smooth repair for you! I've repaired a half dozen or so, most of the time it's from under water gear damage that causes the break but i did see some fail pre-mature because they were not sealed properly from the factory.

PS: If you are the original owner of the boat, there is a lifetime structure and hull warranty that should cover that Thumbup.gif

REally! They only cover the warantee if it's the original owner... RATS I bought it in 2005...

I've looked at the packing seal and it only drips about every few seconds. Not enough to be my source...

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...