Today I put my 2003 Baja in the water for the first time this year. Started her up and watched water fill the bilge rather quickly. Shut the engine down, pulled the boat out, opened the drain plug and allowed the water to drain out. Put drain plug back in and had boat put back in water, this time without the engine running. I clearly could hear water entering into the engine compartment. Taking a closer look I notice water was coming out of an approximate 1/2" hole on the bottom of what appears to be part of the cooling system on the starboard side. It was a steady stream. The port side has the same hole but no water was coming from that side.

Nothing has changed since the boat was winterized last fall. This was the first time it was started, but again the water flowed into the compartment with the engine off. In the photo is the approximate area where the hole is located on the plumbing. In this photo I don't believe it is actually there (this is a file photo I used). Any idea what could be causing the water to enter into the system and filing my engine compartment?

your water drain actuator is stuck open,make sure you have no pressure in the system by pulling up on the release valve ,its located up on top by the little blue air pump,if that ok then you probably have some dirt keeping the actuator open,

Thanks Boatnt. I did lift the water drain actuator after the boat was pulled out the second time and yes, there was air escaping from it. I did not have any idea the two would be incorporated so I did not put the boat in the water again. I'll check it out next time I'm at the marina. I appreciate the quick reply.

they can leak like sieve as well over time. and make sure your boat is not sinking if it sits in the water ? I have no idea how your boat is stored

My baby sits indoors year round. In and out service. It stayed on the trailer while checking the first run of the season. Had I just started and took off it would be sitting on the bottom of the lake right now. Always look at the engine after start the first run of the year.

Just wanted to follow up and say that after releasing the pressure the leak had stopped. Thank you again for your quick help!

Jim