'07 Cobalt 252 w/ 496 Mag and Bravo 3. It seems that the auto bilge is always coming on. It seems that every time I get the boat up on plane, make a 15-20 minute run, the bilge will run for a few seconds.

Is this normal? I trailer the boat so it's only in the water for 6-8 hours at a time.

If it's not normal... what are the possible failure points. Boat only has 22 hours on it now and has only been out 5 weekends.

If only collecting water while underway I suspect your cooling system. You rig has a closed cooling system that utilizes a heat exchanger to bring in cold water to the boat. Perhaps a hose clamp is loose?

Can you have someone drive the boat while you observe the engine bay with the hatch open ?

Do you observe any water other than in the bilge ? Does any water collect when the boat is not running / docked ? How about at an extended idle ?

I would not see it as normal and in that is a new Cobalt - Have the dealer check it out ASAP - if it is in the cooling system it could lead to big problems.

Best of Luck

I'll have my shop take a look on Monday. I'm glad to hear that a cooling system hose leak is also a possibility.

Now that I think about it, water was "splashed" around all over under the hatch when I would look. It' was on the batteries, on the bottom side of the hatch, sprayed along the rear wall of the hull. Thought it was just water sloshing around, but a leaky cooling hose as plane RPMs makes more sense.

It also goes with the theory that your drive is actually up and out of the water at plane, so it shouldn't leak while cruising.

Thanks!

While we all try to keep our bilges bone dry, its kind of hard to do, and usually a little water gets in. But what you are describing sounds abnormal to me.

Agreed, not normal. If we don't do water sports, we get a few table spoons of water out. Incidentally, I don't like that either and would like to fund out where it is coming from.

Not normal. Assuming you're not bringing water inside, you should have zero water whatsover in the bilge.

I notice it's an '07, has it been winterized once? If so, whoever de-winterized may have forgot to tighten a clamp, install or tighten a block plug, etc. That IS normal...

Yes, it was a dealer leftover from '07 so it has been winterized once. Then it sat until I bought it new this year.

I'm just VERY glad to hear that it's a leaky hose and not something major.

I've e-mailed my repair shop who also stores and valets the boat in and out of the water for me. I'll wait to hear what they say, but at least I can sleep a little easier with what you guys have said here.

It very likely COULD be a hose, but could be something else. Irregardless, I would say it likely would be a warranty issue. Just reminding you this is a boat and boat stands for bring on another thousand.

I normally do not have water in the bilge except for when we've been in the water and have dripped water into the interior. Even at that, the water that drains when I pull the boat out is minimal at best and I've never had the bilge pump come on expect for once when it was raining cats and dogs and the boat was exposed to the rain. It sounds like you have some kid of issue that does need to be resolved. Your dealer should find the cause and take care of it.

With the kind of spray you are talking about being water, and not antifreeze ( closed cooling system ) it really points to a loose clamp and or a leaky water pump.

Just a possibility, but you might check your drain plug. Some folks use a wrench to TIGHTEN it too tight, and with the continual tightening/loosening, the drain plug housing might loosen up and leak water in.

Drain plugs should be snug, not "cranked down"...

(not saying that is YOUR case, but just sayin'...)

Good luck!

It is a guessing game at this point. you may want to put the boat in the water and open the engine hatch. see if you can spot the leak. try it with both engine running and off.

if you can point the mechanic in the right direction, the fix may be easier.

Its not normal. As one poster said it could be many things. You also could have bellows leak. Its a 2007 what ever it is, should be still under warrenty

May also check thru-hull transducer for the depth gauge if applicable.

Cobalts also drain the cooler water into the bilge. It's not as much water as you describe though and it shouldn't be splashing around so much as to get on the battery.

If you are just in the water for the day, the only water that should be in the bilge is from the melting ice in the cooler. Dealer should be able to trace it down for you and fix.