H&M Drifter S hull leaks like a old tug boat?

[smokeytbear]

Anyone out there have a problem with the H&M Drifters S hull leaking? Mine leaks from who knows where:confused: I think it's through the seam line but it's hard to tell. Doesn't leak when tested without motor running (in bath tub). But leaks within the first 2 passes on the water? Anyone else have any ideals of what to do? Thanks in advance for the input.

[jockobadger]

I bet it's coming up through the drive line. There're ways to deal with that. Try searching this website and you'll find them.

[johnny57]

Anyone out there have a problem with the H&M Drifters S hull leaking? Mine leaks from who knows where:confused: I think it's through the seam line but it's hard to tell. Doesn't leak when tested without motor running (in bath tub). But leaks within the first 2 passes on the water? Anyone else have any ideals of what to do? Thanks in advance for the input.

Sometimes the water cooling jackets and hoses leak from the water pressure.

Make sure their snug if you have either. Are the hardware screws sealed?

Lets see, what else. Um, water can pump up the stuffing tube in some cases.

[Jay Turner]

Place paper towels flat on the bottom of the model's interior covering as much as you can. Tape the boat up like you will run it, fill the bath tub with warm water, and hold the model underwater for two minutes. You will see if any seams or your tape job leak by a trail of bubbles. Take the boat out and dry it off completely, then remove the hatch. Check the paper towels for any water. If there is no water inside, then the problem is probably water entering up the drive shaft. Let us know what happens.



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[HoustonDominant]

My old Drifter S leaked pretty bad through the stuffing tube when I installed a wire drive, only a drop or two would enter with the .130 cable it originally had in it. I tried a piece of fuel tubing, but it was too big and water still came up the shaft. I ended up taking 3 small pieces of junk brass tubing, one smaller than the next, and epoxied them all together to make a smaller area, then I used a small diameter of shrink tubing to shrink it just enough to lightly touch the wire drive...Problem solved!

Good luck,
JD

[Everything_rc]

Sometimes the water cooling jackets and hoses leak from the water pressure

Per the advise from Johnny57, if your running a silicone water cooling jacket then that might be the problem. Once several of us in our group got faster the water pressure in the jacket would cause it to leak. Go with the solid sleeve style jacket and your problem wil be gone.

Just a thought.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Load your water cooling with water and then blow on one end while keeping your finger plugging up the other and see what you get.

Of course, probably should not let the wife catch you doing it...mine just laughed and said what's next. I started to tell her but then told her I had a headache.

[smokeytbear]

thanks all for the input...i think it's coming through the stuffing tube under pressure. i tried the tape it all up deal and dunking it with no success in seeing any leaks.
i'm going to put a piece of shrink tubing over the end of my stuffing tube and the brass bullet attached to my strut. it seems to leak under pressure only and there is really no other spot on the hull that sees that kind of pressure under speed. the boat's completely out of the water at 3/4 throttle. I'll post my finding/results in a day or two. thanks again for the suggestions

[flyboy320]

So how did you make out? I'm having a problem with water entering the driveline so I'm curious if you solved your problem.

[smokeytbear]

well the juries back...it leaked threw the drive line under pressure...a 1/2" long piece of shrink tubing at the end of the stuffing tube did the trick, not a single drop after 8 minutes of running. now i really like this boat!!! it fast and doesn't leak.

[Ub Hauled]

sup T-bear... I am working on he hull you sold me already... it'll be bitchin'