Windshield Washer Leak

[dwaynec]

Yesterday we had one of our gully washer rains here in the midwest and lo and behold water started dripping on the couch in the saloon. The source of the water is the starboard windshield washer. After pulling the access panel and feeling around, it appears that the water is leaking around the washer where it goes through the saloon roof. After 34 years I guess the bedding is not what it used to be. So, today if it does not rain I am going to have to pull and rebed the washers.

Before I get started on this project, does anybody have any info on how these things are installed in the saloon roof? From the appearance it looks like it may be a two piece arrangement where the washer nozzel is screwed into a base where the water lines are hooked up, but I want to make sure before I start wrenching on these things.

Thanks,
Dwayne

 

[REBrueckner]

I can't answer your precise question, but I know there is copper tubing attached to the washer nozzle on my '72 YF. I had a similar drip which was very difficult to locate; it turned out to be the electric connector at the base of my mast just a foot or two forward. If you have the mast and the connector(s) check them carefully unless you are absolutely positive.

While we are on the subject of leaks on 48 ft YF, I notice a constant (very slow)ooze of water coming in the engine room from under the aft engine room bulkhead in the bilge along the starboard inboard engine stringer. It's just enough to keep a bit of water in the bilge which evaporates out about as fast as it leaks in. I have bilge access adjacent to the starboard bunk (in the aft stateroom) where I can see the aft strut fasteners and those bolts are absolutely dry, as is the bilge I can see there. Any idea where access is for the forward strut or where the ooze source might be? I am pretty sure it's salt water.

 

[dwaynec]

On our boat the main struts are bolted through in the lazerrette area next to the fuel tanks. The forward struts are under access hatches in the aft stateroom next to the berths. Could it be that the scupper for the aft head sink is seeping? I know that it is aft of the shower, but i could be seeping just enough for water to migrate forward and through the bulkhead.
Dwayne

 

[dwaynec]

I forgot to mention in my previous reply (memory is going big time) that I replaced and rebedded the electrical connections to the mast two years ago. I am resonably confident that they are not leaking.

Another question is how useful are these washers. I have never used ours as they have not been hooked up since we bought the boat. A previous owner had not properly winterized them and the copper line coming out of the valve to the washers froze and split. I unhooked them where they branch off the water line going to the aft head right after we purchased the boat. Never have had a use for them, but on the Mississippi there is seldom a time when we get any spray over the bow. Do you guys in salt water find then useful?

Thanks,
Dwayne

 

[REBrueckner]

I boat in salt water. I disconnected my windshield washers the first year I had my boat because one was split from freezing...I have not missed them. But I usually run from the flybridge not the lower helm. Usually when you get one spray it keeps on coming and washes itself...But depending on conditions where you cruise, washers might be useful.

On the electrical connectors: I forgot to mention I replaced mine using rubber washers provided with the new connectors under the extrernal fitting..they siphoned water thru the roof just perfectly!!!! So I redid the job and used Boatlife polysulfide caulk....that stopped the leak.

My aft head connections are on the opposite side of the boat and I can see them in the engine room so I know that's not the source. If I replace my aft rug next week I'll have to seek out access hatches for the forward struts...

 

[dwaynec]

Yeah, those rubber washers do a good job of channeling the water. I put boatlife both above and below the washer and have had no trouble so far. We have been going through a lot of that lately as we have been rebedding most of the screws and various trim pieces on the boat. As soon as I finish polishing my rubrails I will be going through another few tubes. Too bad that the rubrails are nearly impossible to remove as I am sure that it would be better to pull the rail and get the bedding underneath vs just at the hull to rail seam.