Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

[mrbell83]

I had the bellows replaced on my king cobra recently and the mechanic took the boat down to the boat launch to see if anything else was leaking. He was in the bilge while another mechanic put the boat in reverse (still hooked to the trailer just transom in water boat wasn't actually moving far as I know) and he told me that when the boat was put in reverse, he could see water coming in and the transom plate would need to be replaced. He told me that it required the motor and drive to be pulled and would cost roughly 1000 dollars. I have a gentleman that is pretty knowledgeable about OMC's telling me that it is more than likely the shift cable hose (or boot) because if that is torn or missing, the boat will leak when gassed in reverse. I am going to check the boat on Saturday and see if in fact this hose (or boot) is missing / torn.

Thoughts? I would just like to see what the general opinion is....

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

I just wonder why the shift boot was not replaced when the bellows were?
It comes in the transom service kit.
I would look it over good before paying 1000 bucks.
It may also be leaking from the transom being rotted...why most leaks at the transom plate develop.

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

I just wonder why the shift boot was not replaced when the bellows were?
It comes in the transom service kit.
I would look it over good before paying 1000 bucks.
It may also be leaking from the transom being rotted...why most leaks at the transom plate develop.

The mechanic said the transom seemed to be in good shape (solid) and he has replaced a number of these transom plates in older OMC's because they go bad.

I didn't know the hose came in the kit, I will check anyway but that is probably not the case then...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

This is a typical transom kit,the small rubber bellow is for the shift cable.
http://www.ebasicpower.com/pc/MAL9-..., Transom Seal Kit, OMC Cobra 1986-1993.html

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

This is a typical transom kit,the small rubber bellow is for the shift cable.
http://www.ebasicpower.com/pc/MAL9-..., Transom Seal Kit, OMC Cobra 1986-1993.html

Ok...

Do transom plates go bad ever?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

Yes,Sure corrosion can cause them to go bad.
If it were me i would get back there with a flashlight and find the leak before letting the shop have it.

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

Yes,Sure corrosion can cause them to go bad.
If it were me i would get back there with a flashlight and find the leak before letting the shop have it.

I plan on it, especially since I have the sun pad off for repair. There will be plenty of room in the engine compartment for me to look around. Only problem is boating season is over here in Michigan, so it will have to wait until spring...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

You got it out of the water on a trailer? Raise the bow all the way.

Run water into the bilge with the plug in till you see where the water is coming out.

But i'm afraid that you got bigger trouble than the transom plate.

Like someone posted transom may be rotten.

And all the rubber should have been replaced when they did the boot.

These guys you use them before?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

Can you take it to a ramp and test it without launching.
If its leaking from the shift bellow or transom you should be able to find it without the engine running.Just back in enough for the drive to be fully submerged.

Did this leak start after they installed the bellows or has it been leaking?

 

[asdasc]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

My guess is that this guy is taking you for a sucker. We have all freshwater up here in Michigan, so corrosion shouldn't be an issue.

By the way, boating season is over? That sucks, I was going to out in the boat this weekend in Lake St Claire...I still think I will. But it WILL be cold.

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

I just bought the boat a month ago.....

We took the boat for a ride before we bought it but it was sitting in the water at the time and it had just rained the night before, so water in the bilge didn't surprise me. We picked the boat up on a Thursday and took the maiden voyage on that Saturday. The boat was dry when we launched and when we pulled it out several hours later, it had a good bit of water in it. The bilge is clean and the transom seems solid. The mechanic said that they replaced the U joint bellow and took it to the ramp to see if that fixed the leak. He then started the boat and said that when they were at the ramp, another mechanic put the boat in reverse and he noticed a some water coming in. That is when he told me that the motor would need to come out and have the transom plate replaced.

Someone else had told me that they bet the shift boot (or hose) wasn't replaced and could be torn or missing all together because they commonly leak when the boat is put into rever and given any gas.

I have limited knowledge of this boat since it is so new to me. The last boat I owned was several years newer, several years ago. It was also a merc unit, not an OMC.

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

My guess is that this guy is taking you for a sucker. We have all freshwater up here in Michigan, so corrosion shouldn't be an issue.

By the way, boating season is over? That sucks, I was going to out in the boat this weekend in Lake St Claire...I still think I will. But it WILL be cold.

North Bay marine on Jefferson is the place I took it to. They service OMC's and I wanted the whole boat gone thru since it is new to me...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

You didn't use a surveyor?

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

You didn't use a surveyor?

No because the guy I bought it from had it surveyed in the spring when he bought it. (he was selling it because he lost his job)

 

[mrbell83]

Re: Transom leak OMC King Cobra (cone clutch)

Can you take it to a ramp and test it without launching.
If its leaking from the shift bellow or transom you should be able to find it without the engine running.Just back in enough for the drive to be fully submerged.

Did this leak start after they installed the bellows or has it been leaking?

Now that it is all winterized and stored (inside) it isn't very close to the lake anymore. I guess i will have to wait until summer and see...

The boat is new to me so it was something I noticed on the maiden voyage....