n20michael

Man, when it rains it pours!! I got the impeller changed, then fixed the alternator that got fried when boat took on water. I THOUGHT I had fixed leak, WRONG! I now have a leak around the inlet for the raw water pump. I checked the hose, the gear clamps, the gasket between the "elbow" and they are all dry, the leak appears to be "furthur back" down inside the drive somewhere? It only leaks while the boat is sitting (transom is subnerged) its not bad while underway. I am thinking of just trying to seal up the leak with silicone, any other ideas??

The marina I spoke to said it was a BIG job ($$$) to tear it apart and fix it, the boat sits on a lift in a boathousr, so, its OK there, but, wiuld like to anchor and not have the boat fill with water. I do have a bilge pump and float switch, but, if they ever failed I would be in a world of hurt.

Guys I am at wits end with this thing and would appreciate ANY and ALL input appreciated! THANKS!

Nivhael

n20michael

Bellows is a new one, I have had a couple of people tell me its the drive seal, and/or the gimbal seal, either way, I have been told it wouldn't hurt anything (short term) what about trying to seal it up? It doesn't pour or spray in, its just a small trickle, but, over several hours it adds up. I have the boat high and dry now, so,I a. Thinking of trying to silicone it up tommorow, It can't make it leak any worse, just gonna be a nitemare to get to!

Any way to confirm and/or fix the bellows? Thanks for the input!

Michael

Audiofn

What kind of drive is it? I would doubt it is the transom seal. Could be the shift boot if it is a alpha or bravo, or they could have messed up the bellows and have a leak, it does happen.

1BIGJIM

iTrader: (1)

There is really only three places an outdrive can leak, the drive shaft bellows, shift cable bellows, or the seal on the upper swivel shaft bolt.

n20michael

I have had a couple of people suggest the swivel pin, its a closed loop cooled 454EFI with a Bravo 1 drive, as I said, it appears to be leaking around the inlet for the raw water pump, I checked the drive oil today and there is NO water in it. Any Thoughts? Thanks for the Replies guys!

n20michael

Hey Jeff

I have had a couple of people say that was the problem, around 2K to fix it, so, I am gonna try and silicone it up and get the summer out of it, hopefully it works?

I did notice some play "side to side" in the outdrive, I have heard this is an indication of pin wear

Foes your friend sell these pins/kis? Sounds like something I would be interested in buying, Thanks A Lot for all the help Jeff, and all other members as well!

Michael

speedreeder

The one BIG down side is that if the hole that was cut in the boat for the drive was not properly sealed up when new, It will soak into the treansom wood and make an even bigger expense !!!!!!!! several thou to fix a transom !!!!!! I dont think you can seal up a leaking swivel pin seal with RTV !!

Audiofn

RTV will not work because the pin moves every time you turn the boat. Like speedreeder said if this water gets into your transom you will be bumming WAY worse.

n20michael

I dont think it was the hole that was cut for the drive, it didn't leak before, and it seems to be leaking in "beside" the raw water hose, but, not from the hose/elbow itself.

I hadn't planned on trying to seal up the actual swivel pin seal, just the cavity where the raw water pump passes through and the water is actually leaking in.

It only leaks if the boat sits in the water for extended amounts of time, I dont leave the boat in the water overnite, and as soon as I pull the boat out at the end of the day I pull the plug and drain everything that might be in the bilge, or I keep in on a lift in a neihbours boathouse, so, its not taking on alot of water. I am gonna crawl inside and make sure everything is tight and sealed up, but, will probably just nurse it through until the fall and then have a new transom assembly put on, or, just fix the swivel pin/seal if everything else looks OK

There IS a fair amount of side to side play in the outdrive, so, I have had serveral people tell me that this is a good indication of the swivel pin being shot?.

Its a pretty pricey job to fix, so, I want to make sure thats what it is BEFORE I fix/replace it. Thanks for all the input!

Michael

n20michael

No, I have been limiting that kind of stuff, mainly just cruising at part throttle and NO sharp turns or anything, I am gonna check the other steering components this weekend and make sure there is NOTHING else that is loose, I am not a real "Throttle Pounder" or anything, I go for the odd short blast [10-20 seconds] in a straight line, but, its mostly mid throttle cruising.