is this what I think it is...

[NeedaNewName]

'95 Four Winns, 4.3 GL Volvo w/ SX outdrive.
I'm thinking I have a leak in the transom plate or am I chasing the wrong thing? I seem to have an unusual amount of water in the bilge after being out for an afternoon. The water is light brown in color but not oily, no sheen, feel or smell of petroleum or fuel about it. I was thinking about trying to tighten the transom plate nuts but they sure look hard to get to w/o removing the exhaust mani's. I see where others have posted about using 3M 5300, I have some LifeCaulk will that do the same? It's non hardening like the 3M. The boots (exhaust and gimbal) appear to be in good condition, could they cause this, do I need to inspect closer?
Thanks!
Dave

 

[Don S]

Re: is this what I think it is...

The nuts you need to tighten are inside the boat, but since they are nylocks they just don't come loose. What does happen is the transom gets soft due to wood rot in the transom.

 

[NeedaNewName]

Re: is this what I think it is...

I realize the nylocks are on the inside, 6 of them. Is this really a leak at the transom seal?

 

[Bondo]

Re: is this what I think it is...

Ayuh,... I believe that brownish fluid is the rotten transom, Bleeding...

 

[gshldon]

Re: is this what I think it is...

It sure does look like transom rot to me as well. You will need to check the transom for soft spots and replace the transom.

Good Luck and happy boating

 

[NeedaNewName]

Re: is this what I think it is...

It sure does look like transom rot to me as well. You will need to check the transom for soft spots and replace the transom.

Good Luck and happy boating

What's the best way to do this, I've heard of tapping w/ a hammer. Can you just press on the transom and it will give?

 

[proxyx]

Re: is this what I think it is...

that looks like transom seal, don't caulk it permanently, investigate and repair

 

[NeedaNewName]

Re: is this what I think it is...

I'm in the Sacramento Area, suggestions on reputable repair location? Any first hand experience? Negatives can be PM'd if desired. Rough estimate? Of course this is all depending on the amount of rot but something to get me started... $2500?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: is this what I think it is...

I was concerned about having a cup or so of water in the bilge each time out, my transom plate looked like yours on the outside not quite as bad though, I was able to tighten the 3/4 nylock nuts even the bottom ones by useing a 3/4 open end wrench 1/16" turn at a time flipping the wrench over each time.
I didn't want to crush the transom figured it was already wet so I just gave each bolt about 1 turn, didn't want to mess the alignment up either.
After that I cleaned up the perimeter of the transom plate and hull with some prep-sol grease and dirt remover, I meticulously laid a perfect small bead completely around the perimerter, 5200 from a sqeeze tube with the very tip cut off, I practiced laying a small uniform bead beforehand, the boat sat for a couple weeks before I had it out next but no leak not even a shot of water, it's been out 3 or 4 times since and the bilge remains bone dry, I think the 5200 sealed it good, and it even looks good too.
I've installed a transducer and smart tabs too and the drill bit spit dry wood so i think if there is rot it's only a small area. I ahd also pulled the brass garboard drain thinking it was leaking but it also had dry wood, when I finally figured it out what i saw was brownish water droplet forming on a tiny crack in the glass right near the drain plug on the inside of the bilge.