2004 Malibu Wakesetter VLX Leak By Driver's Feet

[RussIRBB]

Hello Malibu Crew,

I have a 2004, Malibu Wakesetter that has never had a leak. Last weekend, I had the boat in the ocean and noticed that the carpet was wet by under the driver's foot area. The water did puddle and there was no substantial water build up in the engine compartment. I thought it might be from some splashing. Today, when taking it out, I noticed that in the first 15 minutes of running the boat, the area was getting wet again. This time, I noticed that the water was very warm/hot. I looked under the hull in the area and saw no cracks and believe it is actually a leaky seal for the ballast or from some hose. The engine temperature seemed to be fine as well.

Any ideas on troubleshooting?

Thanks,

Russ

[Awest]

If your boat is like mine it has a heater mounted to the bulkhead between the drivers foot area and the front seats. It is probably either a broken heater core or loose connection at the core that is leaking hot engine water onto the floor. Hopefully just a loose hose clamp that needs a little TLC.

[RussIRBB]

If your boat is like mine it has a heater mounted to the bulkhead between the drivers foot area and the front seats. It is probably either a broken heater core or loose connection at the core that is leaking hot engine water onto the floor. Hopefully just a loose hose clamp that needs a little TLC.

Thanks for the quick response - I do have the heater as you mentioned - do you access that by simply going under the dash or do you need to take the heater apart in some capacity to get to the heater core? Are there any on-line manuals that show any diagrams/schematics?

Cheers,

Russ

[Awest]

I would just check the two hose connections leading into and out of your unit first. If they are leaking then tighten them up and problem solved. If the heater core is broken then the whole core needs to be replaced. I think they run about $150 last I checked. Not hard to replace if necessary.

[RussIRBB]

I would just check the two hose connections leading into and out of your unit first. If they are leaking then tighten them up and problem solved. If the heater core is broken then the whole core needs to be replaced. I think they run about $150 last I checked. Not hard to replace if necessary.

Great - will check now and see what I find - thanks again for the help.

Russ

[Memory Maker]

Great - will check now and see what I find - thanks again for the help.

Russ

If you need to replace the core, I just picked up mine today. For a two outlet core it ran $120. For a 3 outlet heater core they were quoting me a $175. I put a copper tube splice in mine, just disconnect the hoses and splice them together to bypass the heater core until you get one. If you check out some of the forums, they claim that NAPA can cross reference them and you can replace for less than half the cost of new...but you will need your old bracket to mount the core. It is a very easy fix if your boat is like my 04 LSV. I did not have any luck with NAPA and I could not find a part number cross in any of the forums for the two outlet heater cross reference. Good Luck!

Dave

[gilby00]

If you need to replace the core, I just picked up mine today. For a two outlet core it ran $120. For a 3 outlet heater core they were quoting me a $175. I put a copper tube splice in mine, just disconnect the hoses and splice them together to bypass the heater core until you get one. If you check out some of the forums, they claim that NAPA can cross reference them and you can replace for less than half the cost of new...but you will need your old bracket to mount the core. It is a very easy fix if your boat is like my 04 LSV. I did not have any luck with NAPA and I could not find a part number cross in any of the forums for the two outlet heater cross reference. Good Luck!

Dave

same thing happened to me last year, water was warm and i freaked, turned out it was a heatercore. quick fix and not bad cost wise.

[Pistol Pete]

FWIW.

Most heater core failures are due to not draining the water out of the heater system at winterization.

This is a good read and shows a Ford x-reference.

[Coach Mike]

Did mine this year too. Go2Marine worked out for about $100 delivered. Not bad to replace except for having to take out the sub box, etc.

[RussIRBB]

Did mine this year too. Go2Marine worked out for about $100 delivered. Not bad to replace except for having to take out the sub box, etc.

Hi everyone - thanks for all of the feedback. After hearing from everyone, I did check the hoses and the box and both the hoses and the box were leaking pretty badly. I tighted the screws but no good. Think I'm due for a new box. Will check out Go2Marine as well.

Appreciate all of the help.

Cheers,

Russ

[Awest]

Glad to hear you have your problem located. In the mean time disconnect the two hoses and then link them together to bypass the unit until the new one arrives.

[Coach Mike]

Glad to hear you have your problem located. In the mean time disconnect the two hoses and then link them together to bypass the unit until the new one arrives.

Exactly what I did since the unit was on back order for a while at the start of the season. With the hot weather we've had, won't need the heater for a while anyway

[RussIRBB]

Exactly what I did since the unit was on back order for a while at the start of the season. With the hot weather we've had, won't need the heater for a while anyway

I lucked out - I called the manufacturer and spoke to a guy named James. He just happened to have one unit and overnighted it to me. It listed for 113.00, however, he was great in giving it to me for 83.00. Boat will be all set by tomorrow.

Thanks again for all of the help.

Cheers,

Russ

[Darcy]

I have a 2008 VLX how do I get to the heater core I have a 12 inch sub woofer down by the drivers feet

Hello Malibu Crew,

I have a 2004, Malibu Wakesetter that has never had a leak. Last weekend, I had the boat in the ocean and noticed that the carpet was wet by under the driver's foot area. The water did puddle and there was no substantial water build up in the engine compartment. I thought it might be from some splashing. Today, when taking it out, I noticed that in the first 15 minutes of running the boat, the area was getting wet again. This time, I noticed that the water was very warm/hot. I looked under the hull in the area and saw no cracks and believe it is actually a leaky seal for the ballast or from some hose. The engine temperature seemed to be fine as well.

Any ideas on troubleshooting?

Thanks,

Russ

[Darcy]

How do I get to the heater core in my Malibu VLX 2008

[Darcy]

If your boat is like mine it has a heater mounted to the bulkhead between the drivers foot area and the front seats. It is probably either a broken heater core or loose connection at the core that is leaking hot engine water onto the floor. Hopefully just a loose hose clamp that needs a little TLC.

[Darcy]

How do you get to the heater core by drivers feet?

[Darcy]

I have a 2007 VLX andI have water coming out of the drivers foot area also and I'm sure it is the heater core

How do I get to it through the area at the drivers feet?

There is a 12 " sub that would have to come out

[paumcd01]

I am new to this site and thread, and I have to say a BIG thanks.

Put my 2005 LSV in water Thursday for first time this year( yeah I know really late but work has been crazy). The leak at the feet started and carpet was soaked . I thought it was drain hose from the ballast sack in ski compartment. Pulled boat out , did research and your thread nailed it.

After contorting to get at the kick board and remove( hardest part of job) , sliced off the two 5/8 hoses from the heater box, bought a coupler at hardware store, and connected the two hoses.

Relaunched and no leaks. I not a big handy man and this thread helped me and family get on the water.

The closest good mechanic was 3 hours from where I was boating ! Great help guys.

[exrench]

Welcome, I too am pretty new here and had the exact same leak on my 2005 23LSV Wakesetter. I am still looking for a replacement in aluminum but no luck yet. I may just stick with factory core from dealer. Thanks forum for the isolation assist.

[Chatty21VLX]

Anyone care to post a picture and circle the approximate location of the kick plate screws for an early 2000's boat? I didn't find any hidden in the carpet of the kick plate itself, but there were some on the left hand plate under the feet area. I'm having trouble accessing my heater box!

Both speeds on the fan work, but no hot air comes out. I can see 2 hoses going to the box, and they route to the engine compartment, but it got too dark for me to tell what they go to.