Major leak HELP!

[Merc4ever]

I have a major leak in my Alpha 1, the rubber bellows are dry when I fill the bilge with water and raise the bow. Instead water dumps out hole "A" as you can see in stream "B".

It's only on the right side hole the left hole stays almost dry.

What is this hole? Where could this water be coming from?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Major leak HELP!

The exaust pipe has rotted thru.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Yikes how do I fix that? O No, does this mean I have to remove the engine and replace the exhaust?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Yes, the engine is removed to replace the exaust pipe.The manuals for your application are in the Adults Only section. Suggest you download yours before starting work.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

It's always been a "salt free" freshwater boat. I can't see any rust when I look as far as I can see. I can't really see the bottom but the rest is shiny black with a sheen of oily film on it.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Could I block it off at the exhaust bellows somehow? Then install a thru the hull exhaust? There must be some kind of simple kit to block off the old prop exhaust when individuals do the conversion.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Maybe, after looking at the manual it could be just loose exhaust bolts (the 4 that hold it on) they haven't been torqued for 21 years since new. I really don't see any corrosion after another check with a mirror.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Major leak HELP!

The exaust pipe most likely is the cause.To block it off you remove the engine and install a blockoff plate. No way to make this easy but the engine has to come out unless YOU can walk on water to get back from the sinking.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

As you can tell I'm really hesitant about the whole "pulling the engine" thing. But even if it was just loose bolts I can't see them very good because the engine is in the way.

UGH!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Major leak HELP!

pages 33, 34 this link show the issue with the bolts nicely
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Install/gas/86419602.pdf

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Nice, I also like the part about an improperly seated O-ring causing water leaks.
Before I pull that sucker I'm going to get some mirrors, flashlights, extensions and universals to attempt the impossible. If I cross my fingers maybe just maybe I have some loose bolts and I can squirm back into tighten them.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Update: OK I can get my hand on the bottom bolts if I work blindly and like a gynecologist I might be able to tighten them once I get the correct size socket.

Some good news is that I'm doubting that anything has rotted through because everything is covered in grease back there with no sign of corrosion whatsoever.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Major leak HELP!

It`s called a 12 point, same as the bolts in the top cover of the outdrive.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Update: OK I can get my hand on the bottom bolts if I work blindly and like a gynecologist I might be able to tighten them once I get the correct size socket.

Some good news is that I'm doubting that anything has rotted through because everything is covered in grease back there with no sign of corrosion whatsoever.

Grab and wiggle the y pipe to see if it seems loose.

The socket will need to be a 12 point 3/8.

You may be able to get two of the bolts, But you will not be able to get to all four of them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Those bolts are probably not loose, you would have to have all 4 of them loose the cause the leak. It's not uncommon for one of the tabs the bolts go through to break off. You can hope, but it's going to take an engine pull to fix your problem.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

I should have waited and read this I just spent 2 hours and feel like I dislocated my shoulder experimenting with a 1/2 and 7/16 socket.

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Y Pipe is tight with no sign of breakage?

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Update: Even though the y pipe felt tight today I attempted to tighten the bolts again with the suggested 3/8 12 point socket. The 2 on the port side were reachable (at least on this V6 engine) and extremely loose!. The top starboard bolt I will attempt later with a 1/4 drive because the 3/8 drive socket seems to big for the opening on this one. I can see it also is loose because it was wiggling when I was attempting to get the socket on. Bottom starboard has not been attempted just yet.

I thank God I didn't have to pull the motor but I believe I got it now with the help of all your suggestions I can't say Thanks to everyone here enough!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Major leak HELP!

Ayuh,... Glad to hear it's sorta workin' out for ya,...
Hopefully, the 1/4 drive will work as well...

 

[Merc4ever]

Re: Major leak HELP!

It's like a new boat again NO LEAKS! happy, happy, joy, joy!

FYI: all bolts were loose, all bolts were accessible (not easily) 3/8 drive 3/8 deep-well 12 pt socket on the 2 lower and port upper bolts. Starboard upper bolt took a 1/4 drive 3/8 12 pt regular socket with a short extension.

Thanks again everyone!