1995 SPEEDSTER taking on water

[SPEEDSTER_SCOTT]

I just picked up a 1995 Speedster and the first time I put it in the water on the trailer to start it and warm up I noticed water coming in the engine compartment at a fast rate. The plugs are in and I drained it and tried putting it in the water again without starting it. From what I can see it looks like it is comming in the exhaust port. Is there a valve on the exhaust port that keeps water from coming into the boat? Only doing it on one side.

 

[Dr Honda]

that doesn't make sense. If it was coming in the exhaust port... it would go into the muffler (waterbox) and not the hull.

If it's leaking around the port... then you just need to change the rubber seal around it.

 

[SPEEDSTER_SCOTT]

Ok I will start by changing out the gasket and see if that does it. I just couldn't believe it would leak as fast as it did with just a bad gasket. It was taking on water almost at the rate as if the drain plug was left out. Thanks

 

[SPEEDSTER_SCOTT]

I just went online to try and find the gasket to seal the exhaust to the hull and it looks like all it is a black sealent that sells for 37 bucks at rivamotorsports. Does anyone know if you could use a high temp silicone or gasket material to seal the exhaust port to the hull?

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes. Remove the hull fitting, clean it, and put a big fat bead of high temp RTV around it, and put it back together.

Using RTV just makes taking it apart later more of a job.

My drain plugs let water out at the speed of a kitchen sink facet. If water was coming in that fast... you would be able to see day light though the hull.

Is the water coming in sitting still, or is it while the engine is running? If it's while it's running, I would check the cooling hoses for a split or leak.

 

[SPEEDSTER_SCOTT]

Dr. Honda,
The water is coming in sitting on the trailer not running. I agree the drain does dump prety fast but would say that my boat was taking on an inch of water a minute. When I first put it in I did start it up and was warming up the motors and after about three minutes opened my lid and the water was up to the motors. The second time I just dumped it in the lake without running and looked for the leak. Didn't see anywhere it was leeking but around the back corner on the starboard side but the hull is designed with a blind spot to see the exhaust. I'll get the silicone and also plan on filling up the hull with some colored water and watch where it is leaking out of.

 

[SPEEDSTER_SCOTT]

Dr. Honda,
I think I solved my problem. When I filled my hull with water to see where it was leaking in nothing was coming out. I then noticed the back bumper appeared to be loose. Turns out it had 7 or 8 rivits broke off and I believe when I had my boat in the water this is where it was entering and running down the starboard corner giving the illusion it was the exhaust. I'm going to drill them out and replace and we will see if my problem is solved.

 

[Dr Honda]

OK... just put a fat bead of RTV on the rivet to make sure they are sealed. In the worst case... the top half of the hull may need to be re sealed to the bottom.

Normally, in the water, the back part of the rub rail should be out of the water. But, if it was on the trailer, it may have been pushed under.