89 OMC cobra 4.3 leaks water through transom???

[coffems]

I have a 89 Thundercraft 180sd 4.3 omc water is coming into the boat somewhere in and around ginbal housing is there a seal kit I can get for this problem has anyone had this issue ?? help

 

[Bondo]

Re: 89 OMC cobra 4.3 leaks water through transom???

I maybe Wrong,.... But,....
A 1989 boat with a Leaking Transom would most probably be leaking Either,....
Thru a leak in the Bellows,.....
Or,....
The Transom is Rotten,+ due to the Compression of the Non-existent Wood,......
It's started Leaking around the Transom Shield Gasket...........

IF its the Bellows,..... It's repaired from Outside the hull.........

If it's actually Leaking around the Transom Shield,......
The Drive,+ Motor, along with the Transom Assembley, both Inner,+ Outer,..
Have to be Pulled to access the Problem.......

'Course,..... I Don't Do OMCs,..... But I still believe this to be True..........

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 89 OMC cobra 4.3 leaks water through transom???

When was the last time the drive bellows was replaced?

It could also be the shift cable tube. There was a person on here a few weeks ago that had a leak there.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 89 OMC cobra 4.3 leaks water through transom???

Either way i would pull the drive and replace the bellows if you don't know how old they are. The drive needs to be pulled yearly anyway to grease the u-joints.
You can get a complete bellows kit with everything you need for about 100 bucks if you want a new gimbal bearing with it. without the bearing about 70 bucks.

 

[coffems]

Re: 89 OMC cobra 4.3 leaks water through transom???

The bellows have not been changed since I have had the boat
I have had the boat for 2 years...I have not even greased the u-joints...I'm a rookie when it comes to boats this is my first one that was a I/O....Can you change the shift cable tube from the outside?? the transom appears to be solid...the boat only leaks when it has a load and it comes in pretty good...If I did not have a bilge it would sink in a day

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: 89 OMC cobra 4.3 leaks water through transom???

If it's the driveshaft bellows leaking you need to check the drive oil, it may have water in it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 89 OMC cobra 4.3 leaks water through transom???

Either way the drive needs to come off.The outdrive oil needs to be drained and checked as well as the u-joints.
Get a service manual and not a Seloc or Clymers crap manual..a real OMC service manual.
If your not mechanicly skilled take it to a shop.
You don't want to know the price of replacing Cobra drive parts..