WATER INTRUSION / DAMAGE LEVELS SERVICE ADVISORY

It is critical to keep the bilge in a tow-sports boat as dry as possible. Engines in tow-sports boats are mounted very low making water in the bilge a serious problem. Please refer the following diagrams for 5.7L GM, 6.0/6.2L GM and 6.2L Ford models to relate water levels in the bilge of the boat to possible engine, transmission and component issues.

5.7L GM Port Side View –Water Intrusion Levels

E.  Crankshaft pulley in water. Water gets pulled up by serpentine belt and splashes water on front of the engine. Output shaft of v-drive in water. Possible water intrusion in v-drive.

F.  Base of dipstick tube in water. Possible water intrusion. Engine and transmission mounts compromised     

G.  Flame arrestor in water allowing water to be drawn into engine through intake. Top mount starter submerged. Transmission and v-drive vents and dipsticks under water

H.  Valve covers in water. Water flows through flame arrestor directly into engine. ECM and electrical box in water. Electrical failure to follow.

I.  Because of the location of the flame arrestor, these engines are also susceptible to water intrusion from above. Wet riders entering the boat or rain water can easily be sucked into the flame arrestor when the engine is running

​5.7L GM Starboard Side View
​–Water Intrusion Levels

A.  Flywheel in water splashing water throughout bell housing and compromising starter bendix drive. Oil drain submerged.
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B.  V-drive coupler and output shaft and seal in water. Corrosion issues and possible water intrusion into v-drive.

C.  Front and rear crankshaft seas in water, oil pan and oil filter adapter fully submerged. Probable water intrusion issues. Alternator in water.

D.  Transmission vents in water. V-drive dipstick submerged resulting in water intrusion into transmission and v-drive. Engine oil dipstick tube in water, water intrusion in engine.  Top mount starter getting wet.

6.0/6.2L GM Port Side View
​–Water Intrusion Levels

E.  Crankshaft pulley in water. Water gets pulled up by serpentine belt and water enters engine through flame arrestor. Output shaft of v-drive in water. Possible water intrusion in v-drive.

F.  Base of dipstick tube in water. Possible water intrusion. Engine and transmission mounts compromised.

G.  Valve covers in water. Possible water intrusion. Starter in water. Failure to follow. Transmission and v-drive completely submerged.

H.  Because of the location of the flame arrestor, these engines are also susceptible to water intrusion from above. Wet riders entering the boat or rain water can be sucked into the flame arrestor when the engine is running. Water can also enter the flame arrestor when a following wave comes over the transom of the boat.

6.0/6.2L GM Starboard Side View –Water Intrusion Levels

A.  Flywheel in water splashing water throughout bell housing and compromising starter bendix drive. Oil drain submerged.

B.  V-drive coupler and output shaft and seal in water. Corrosion issues and possible water intrusion into v-drive.Oil Filter adapter submerged Possible water intrusion into oil.

C.  Transmission and v-drive vents and dipsticks submerged. Watrer intrusion into transmission and v-drive. Front and rear crankshaft seas in water, oil pan and oil filter adapter fully submerged. Probable water intrusion issues.

D.  Water at level of valve covers. Water intrusin=on into engine. ECM and electrical box in the water. Electrical system failure.

6.2L Ford Port Side View
​ –Water Intrusion Levels

E.  Crankshaft pulley in water. Possible to pull water up serpentine belt splashing water inside the bilge; damaging alternator and drawing water into engine through flame arrestor. Lower portion of V-drive output shaft completely submerged and upper portion also in water. Water intrusion in V-drive very probable.

F.  Engine dipstick tube under water. Possible water intrusion into engine. Front engine cover in water. Starter partially submerged. Engine and transmission mounts in water causing corrosion and loss of adjustability. V-drive output coupler in water allowing corrosion of coupler and bolts as well as water splash on other components in bilge.

G.  Dipstick tube fully submerged. Oil fill in the water. Crank sensor, cam sensor and VCT solenoids in water.

6.2L Ford Starboard Side View
​–Water IntrusionLevels

A.  Flywheel in water. Corrosion issues on flywheel and drive plate. Possible starter damage from water soaking starter drive/bendix.

B.  Lower portion of V-drive output shaft in water. Possible corrosion of output shaft and/or seal damage resulting in V-drive water intrusion. Oil level switch submerged possibly causing corrosion on connector plug and /or water intrusion into oil pan.

C.  Water above V-drive dipstick and breather vent. Probable water intrusion issues. Starter and engine/transmission mounts submerged. Front and rear crankshaft seals submerged. Possible water intrusion into engine past the seals.

D.  Transmission breather vent submerged. Oil Filter submerged. Air/Fuel Sensor in water Lower spark plugs in water