water trickling in?

[mrmushroomman]

My buddy just bought a 1995 170 caravelle and had it on the water yesterday for the first time. I asked him if he was taking on any water and when he looked he was. It is coming in behind the motor on the transom. It looks to be coming in at a star bolt that is in the middle of the transom. What would this star bolt be? We only saw one star bolt and could see water trickling in. Just trying to let him know if it is something serious or maybe just isn't tight enough.

 

[mkast]

Re: water trickling in?

What would this star bolt be?

What is a star bolt?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water trickling in?

Don't know what drive, etc you are discussing... but I know on my Mercruiser / Alpha drive that the "y" pipe uses a couple of "star bolts" to attach to the transom assembly. That's certainly a possible location for a leak. I doubt seriously that simply tightening a bolt will stop a leak. Something has failed to cause the leak more than likely.

 

[mrmushroomman]

Re: water trickling in?

What is a star bolt?

It is a bolt that has a star head on it.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: water trickling in?

Post a pic for an answer on this one......
If somone stuck a bolt in the small hole that is just over the input shaft, you have bellows problems.....
Post a pic.......​

 

[mrmushroomman]

Re: water trickling in?

Don't know what drive, etc you are discussing... but I know on my Mercruiser / Alpha drive that the "y" pipe uses a couple of "star bolts" to attach to the transom assembly. That's certainly a possible location for a leak. I doubt seriously that simply tightening a bolt will stop a leak. Something has failed to cause the leak more than likely.

It is a merc with alpha1 outdrive. He said that everything was running fine and shifting into gear ok. I'm thinking a seal went bad somewhere. The water was coming in pretty good and we could see the star bolt but it was kind of hard to get to, to make sure that is where it was coming from.

 

[captk]

Re: water trickling in?

There is a o-ring seal between the exhaust pipe and the transom plate. If you overheat this can be damaged, requires pulling the engine to replace. Also could be a bellows leak running down the transom and just showing up there. Pull the drive and inspect every thing in there. then look inside.

 

[NautiDog]

Re: water trickling in?

Does anyone know what that bolt is for?

Thanks,

NautiDog

 

[mkast]

Re: water trickling in?

It is a bolt that has a star head on it.

This bolt is a pentagon instead of a hexagon?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: water trickling in?

Is it connected to the oil pressure sender?.....

 

[NautiDog]

Re: water trickling in?

I was able to get a 12 point socket on it last night, I think it was a 5/16" socket. I got about a half a turn on it. I can't tell what it goes to, any ideas?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water trickling in?

NautiDog - you need to start your own thread and be a little more specific on what it is you are asking.

 

[NautiDog]

Re: water trickling in?

Sorry for the confusion, it is my boat that is leaking.
I was able to get the "star"/pentagon bolt about a half turn tighter last night after we got back from the lake. I don't think it is connected to the oil pressure sender.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water trickling in?

The only bolt similiar to what you are talking about that I can think of are the ones I mentioned that hold the exhaust pipe to the transom. If it is leaking behind there, then the o ring has failed and you need to pull the engine to remove and inspect it. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[Don S]

Re: water trickling in?

Why not use your original username and password. You can use them on any computer. I do.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: water trickling in?

Sorry for the confusion, it is my boat that is leaking.
I was able to get the "star"/pentagon bolt about a half turn tighter last night after we got back from the lake. I don't think it is connected to the oil pressure sender.

That was a bad joke.....:redface:
You post a pic.....

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water trickling in?

From your description, here's the area I suspect is leaking:

 

[mkast]

Re: water trickling in?

12 point cap screw.
Replace the o-ring, don't use silicone.

 

[mkast]

Re: water trickling in?

Does your "star bolt" look like this 12 point cap screw?

 

[NautiDog]

Re: water trickling in?

That is the correct bolt, it is located below the drive shaft on the starboard side. I did not see any other bolts that look like it on transom. There is a cable that runs right next to it. When you say replace the o ring, does that require me to remove the engine or is it something that maybe else? Why would you not use silicone, future problems? How would I go about fixing it? Do you know what that is holding on the other side?