496 air drain system
 

Does the air drain system on a 496 HO tend to leak a little bit of water into the bilge from time to time? I get about a gallon of water in my bilge after about every 5 hours of use. Can’t figure out where it’s coming from.

-Craig

Re: 496 air drain system
 

Yes, they can. There is a pressure relief system that can wear out. It happened on one of mine. It could happen due to having momentary burts of high water pressure. Do you have water pressure guages?

On mine, the lower valve assembly went bad on the front port side of the motor would spew out water at anything over 3000 rpm.

Re: 496 air drain system
 

I don't get much, takes a good 5 or 6 times out and I get about a gallon of water. Not sure if that's where it's coming from or not. Can't see anything at idle. I just thought that water comes out fairly easy when you use the blue hand pump, and maybe that it was common for a little bit of water to leak out when running. Just bought the boat at the end of last season - 2001 496HO, still learning about them.

Re: 496 air drain system
 

I would not worry about that. It could be anything from your cleats leaking a bit with rain, to dew condensation, to a cooler drain (Sonic's coolers drain into bilge), to anything. Keep an eye on your anti-freeze level. Some boats tend to dry up a couple of the seals over winter time, and the anti-freeze drains into the bilge.

Re: 496 air drain system
 

i get the same thing, not sure where it's coming from yet, but im going to check it out.

Re: 496 air drain system
 

I get it as well. I believe what is happening, is what little air is still in the drain system pressure hoses heats up when the engine gets warm, and builds up enough pressure to slightly open the dump valves. If you pull the pressure relief valve when the engine is hot, this should take care of this problem.

Re: 496 air drain system
 

I think you are right, makes sense. I will try that the next time out.

-Craig

Re: 496 air drain system
 

so will I,
:D:

Re: 496 air drain system
 

Good post here. Guys on the 496's we have seen the pressure reliefs open periodically and dump some water. Also I have found those little blue drain screws on raw water pumps and other spots loose and some with broken o-rings that will drip at a pretty good clip. check them accordingly. Hope this little info helps also. Water is supposed to stay outside the hull right!
Ray @ Raylar