I have a 1997 24 ft out law sst with a 502 m 1 procharged engine. I have a bravo 1 out drive. I have had two marinas look for a leak in my transome area. No one can find the leak. I put the boat in the water and after 1/2 hour or so, I bring it out and there is a good stream of water coming out of the drain plug for a couple of seconds. What are all the different possibilities out there that could cause the leak. If my memory serves me correctly, I thought I had no leak before I got my bellows changed along time ago. If some one could list all the possibilities out there I would appreciate it, it will help me and the new mechanic narrow down the problem quickly in case there is an oversight on something simple. Thank you in advance for the help.

jj

My leak confounded me for months and got steadily worse. Ultimately it was a corroded transom assembly. There were two spots slightly above 3 and 9 o’clock around the gimble housing. There are slight dimples there and the damage was not visible because the aluminum oxide appears solid. Poke around with a screwdriver and you will find it if it’s there. Hope this is not your problem.

Thank you guys for the insight keep them coming, I am making a list as we speak. So when winter breaks it is an all out attach on the leak

It can really only come in from a couple places. Drive bellows, shift bellows, swivel seal, distribution plate on the bottom where the trim hoses go through or ( least likely) the water intake hose...

and exhaust block off plate and raw water hose connection and... Lots of possibilities. Is it worse with the drive up or down? Is this a saltwater boat? You are going to need a flash light and a really long neck. If it’s the bellows you will know as soon as you pull the drive.

I
it is a fresh water boat. Not sure position on the drive.
Thanks again to everyone with their input.

I had one of these illusive leaks years ago on my Baja, raise the tongue,put the plug in, fill the bilge making sure not to submerge the starter, if it's getting in it will leak out, mine ended up actually being the transom plate seal

I wouldn’t flood the bilge . The transom cut out may not be glassed and the water will go where you want it least.

I agree 100% with you, i guess I looked at it as there's a leak so that's probably already the case, and rather than trial and error on the water, wet it once more and be done