New Maxum Owner - Water Drain Plug Question

[sammy157]

I ama new Maxum owner, recently purchased a 2006 3300 SE. The other day, I noticed a steam of water coming from the engine, hitting the wall. It seems like it's the engine drain plug, which is blue in color (Mericruiser 5.0 MPI). If I am not mistaken, there are five such drain plugs on the engine.

I'm waiting for the mechanic to come and perform the repair. Is it recommended that I run the boat in the meantime, i.e., is there the possibility of causing further damage, or can I run with one drain plug out at the moment?

I've washed the engines down and applied WD-40 after discovering the leak.

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard

Where on the engine is the water coming out at? What wall is it hitting?

I would not recommend using the boat until it is resolved. Can cause local overheating on the engine. Will also pump lots of water into the boat and risk damaginging any electrical things that may get wet.

Got any pictures of the leak?

[sammy157]

Yea, I have two images - one of the blue drain plug and one screenshot of a video I took. Beneath the second hose is the stream, which is hitting the wall towards the bow side. The video will not upload, but the image is there - please look toward the left part of the screen.

I discovered this on the way back to the marina and kept a watchful eye on the temperature. Luckily, no shifts.

[mmwjr]

Hard to tell but it looks like the water is coming from the cool fuel assembly. Do you have the plug? If so just screw it in.

[sammy157]

Bottom left section, when facing the engine (port motor). From he images I looked up, it does indeed look like the fuel cooler assembly. I'm told there are five of these. I don't have the screws, I'm wondering if it is a quick fix, If I'm able to easily access that part of the motor.

[mmwjr]

If not the cool fuel the only other ones I can think of are the exhaust manifold or engine block about half way back just above the oil pan interface.

[shrew]

Any Mercruiser, Bayliner, Searay dealer will have the block drain plugs. It might be missing, or it might have been reinstalled without the rubber O-ring. It could be the old o-ring was stuck on there and a new plug installed with a 2nd o-ring. who knows.

To answer the original question, no it is not safe to run the boat in this condition. Wait until someone gets onsite to assess the current situation.