New Owner of a 2004 Sportster

[ektm30]

Just bought a 2004 Sportster and took it out for a spin yesterday. We floated around the middle of the lake and enjoyed the sun for a bit and I noticed that there was water on the deck below the drivers side. Wondered where it came from... we took off and ran around the lake for a bit then headed in. Noticed that the water disappeared. Got it on the trailer and up on dry land. Took the drain plugs out and it was as if there was a hose connected - water came flowing out. Was really surprised at the amount of water coming out.
I did try and flip the bilge pump switch while out on the lake - but did not here anything...
How much water should be in the bilge area during normal operation? I am not sure if my bilge is operating properly as well.

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Dr Honda]

Congrats on the boat.

OK... the bilge water and the foot well water are two different issues.

The water in the foot well is coming from a scupper valve that isn't sealing. It's very common on a boat that's a few years old. The drain is under the drivers feet, and that is connected to the valve that is in the pump tunnel. I'm not 100% sure... but if you look at the right hand side, where the jet pump is... you will see a plastic ring with a rubber flap in it. That's the scupper valve. After a few years, the rubber flap gets hard, and doesn't seal. Change that, and your wet feet will be no more.


As far as the water coming out the drain plugs. That's kind of normal. I normally get 2 gallons of water after a day of play. That's not enough for the bilge pump to pick up. It comes in the carbon ring on the drive shaft. Replacing it will reduce the amount of water... but by it's design... it leaks water to keep itself cool.

With that said... since it's a used boat... you may want to go out, and drive it around with the deck lid open, and look for leaks in the cooling system. I think you have a closed loop for the engine... but the exhaust still uses lake water. If one of the hoses is leaking... it could cause an issue.

 

[ektm30]

Tony - Thanks much for the information.

Fun little boat to drive. I will try and locate the scupper valve.

I am also going to test the bilge pump. I want to hear it run.

 

[ektm30]

Tony - Looks like the drain from the deck well is connected to a tube that runs to the back of the boat. Where would the scupper valve be? There are two compression fittings at each end of the black flex hose. Both are hard to get to......

 

[ektm30]

Found the scupper valve - outside of boat. Do I need any silicon or other sealant when I put the new one back in? Anything I should watch out for taking the old one out?