Max II Water Leak

[Eldon]

My 2003 Max II appears to be taking on more water than desirable when running in water with a passenger.When I enter the water alone it seems to be quite tolerable.When I have a passenger it will take on a few gallons in about 30 minutes.When I aqm alone it would be less than a gallon in about one half hour.It doesn't seem to matter whether I am just floating for this time or whether I am propelling.The machine has 125 hours.It has had frequent and thorough maintenance on my watch but it had 34 hours when I bought it and I don't believe it had much maintenance during this earlier period.I have torqued the bearing cage flange nuts and sealed around the cages with silicone though I didn't expect earth shattering results from this and greased the bearings with water resistant grease.When I fill the tub with water to above the bearings I get water weeps from around the front and rear axle on the left side and weeps from the rear axle on the right side.The bearings appear to turn smoothly and have no play in any direction.I have a bilge pump in the rear but it is needed in the front as the machine sits down in the front when floating and as it takes on more water this is increased I could not find pumps tiny enough to fit under the sprockets in the skidways in the front but this would be the perfect placement.What is a reasonable water leak and am I looking at bearing replacement already?It handles my normal time expectations in water but of course no water leak would be the ideal.Last summer my first with it ,it seemed better ,then this past winter I run tracks which I know stresses things.I would appreciate some ideas on this as to schedule bearing and seal changes will cut into my precious Max time. :-) Eldon

[rdr]

hi eldon check the area around where you pipe exit's the body and see if it is cracked . mine is . also it might be time for a bearing replacement .allso you might have mud dirt around your flanges that will not allow your greese to go all theway around your bearing . robbie

[Eldon]

Thanks for the advice RDR.When looking for leaks no stone should be left unturned.With me in it alone which is the norm it is still quite tolerable and I dread bearing change but if properly done and maintained I should get a couple of hundred hours of usage.I am most suspicious of the stress the tracks cause as I don't think the previous owner used them much.The tracks sure make the machine and when on water leaks aren't an issue.I keep the mud clear of the flanges as best I can when servicing and haven't detected any sign of cracks but that is not to say these issues aren't valid.You know I enjoy the Max so much I'm thinking of getting a second one for back up.LOL Your idea of having both a IV and II seems good thinking to me.Thanks again. Eldon