Water in engine compartment

[nightsky]

I have a 1987 O'day 272 LE. I've noticed recently
water (2-3 ") in the engine compartment after I've come back from a sail (where I've sailed and motored). I empty it out at the end of the sail and when I come back the next time and check, there is little water before I go for a sail. The stuffing box is dripping about 1 drop per thirty seconds. The bilge has some water in it but does not vary in volume like the engine compartment.
Any suggestions of where this water could be coming from?

[Faster]

You may have a leak in the engine's cooling system that only leaks under pressure... and may not leak when you're away and the engine's not running. We had a leaky Heat Exchanger earlier this year, and the excess water ended up under the engine after overflowing the expansion tank.

[nightsky]

I have noticed that I need to refill the antifreeze overfill tank
every three trips or so. Is this a big job?

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by nightsky

I have noticed that I need to refill the antifreeze overfill tank
every three trips or so. Is this a big job?

Refilling is as easy as doing your car, just premix the antifreeze before filling. Check manual for antifreeze level. Check all engine and heat exchanger hose connections, and hoses for leaks. While you're at it check the raw water impeller for possible replacement, and fan belts for wear and tension.

[Hudsonian]

It's a cinch to refill the overflow tank. Just fill to the line with solution of extended duty antifreeze.

This won't account for 2 to 3: of water under the engine. Look for leaks in the exhast system.

[sailor50]

Some Yanmars have a pencil zinc in the water muffler - check that too.

[Faster]

Originally Posted by Hudsonian

It's a cinch to refill the overflow tank. Just fill to the line with solution of extended duty antifreeze.

This won't account for 2 to 3: of water under the engine. Look for leaks in the exhast system.

If it's raw water in the engine compartment then yes, it's likely an exhaust/RWC leak. But if the expansion tank needs regular refilling then there's a leak on the FWC side (too?).... so where is that ending up? Typically the RW pressure is a bit higher than the FW side... but such a leak will usually overfill the expansion tank, not the opposite.

To the OP - are you "topping up" with an antifreeze mix or just with water? Do you really have any antifreeze left in the system?

[MARC2012]

Ck fresh water pump.marc

[nightsky]

I'm topping off the overflow tank to the line in the middle of the tank with a 50/50 antifreeze water mix. Your suggestions point to the fresh water system. What would be a step by step procedure to find the leak in the fresh water system? I don't see any water leaks while the engine is running.

[Tempest]

Is the water in the engine compartment hudson river water...or antifreeze mix?

Both?