www.iFourWinns.com

We're about to purchase a four month old 278 and have just inspected the engine bay which has about 5 mm of salty water in it. Surely there should be absolutely no water in the engine bay. We suspect a leak around the seals of the stern drive

The dealer has told us that it is 100% normal to have a cup of water in the engine bay and there is nothing to worry about. Is this correct?

Any comments and advice would be much appreciated.

I have water in my bilge all the time. It's near impossible for it to be bone dry. Of course, I keep my boat outside so much of it is rain water.

As to the source, I would find it highly unlikely that the transom seal is leaking. Other sources I would look at first are the raw water pump seal, circulating pump seal. Those are easy to determine, and can be done while the boat is operated on muffs.

Other sources would be any sea strainers for the genset if equipped and/or the A/C strainer and pump.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Often you will get freshwater from rain in the bilge, but no way should there be salt water in the bilge, that would point to a leak in the cooling/exhaust system, and/or a leak in the transom assembly or u-joints bellows. Salt water in the bilge will corrode metal really fast and cause problems with wiring too. Make them fix it and check for corrision.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I found two sources for lake water(I boat currently only on the Great Lakes). One is from spray coming in the fresh air vents. On my 248 Vista the vents on both the port and starbird side have air scoops and spray can enter when depending on lake conditions. Also I found water would come over the swim platform if I slowed down too quickly. Some water leaked in this way as well. In either case it's a very small amount maybe less than a 8ozs. Most times the water can be removed by using a few paper towels. Other times I just use my wet/dry vac.

Fred

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

I'd like to thank all those kind folk who have responded so quickly to my query.
Thanks for the advise and the expertise it is much appreciated.
Salty Dog