Leaking water around outdrive

[formula351]

Hello my boat is a 23ft formula with a 351 mercruiser. I reciently found that the boat was leaking water around the gasket where the gimble housing attatchs to the hull. What would be the best product to use to seal up this leak? i know its not leaking fast just a slow steady leak. I cant afford to pull the whole drive off and repair it like that. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Leaking water around outdrive

No quick sure thing fix. You probably have a bad bellows. Bite the bullet and fix it right or you could either burn out your bilge pumps or sink!

 

[formula351]

Re: Leaking water around outdrive

its not the bellows i know this. I can see that water is slowly coming in at the bottom of the outdrive where it meets with the hull, there appears to be a gasket leak. im just wondering if 3M adhesive sealant will work or if there is another product that is better

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Leaking water around outdrive

Do it right and be done with it. Nothing quick is lasting. I just spent two days ripping out mushy rotten deck, wet foam and glass. A boat is like a bathtub, once water gets in it can do bad things because it can't get back out. This maybe some simple gaskets as suggested. A reputable mechanic will align everything when it goes back together which will provide better performance and less stress on the motor and drivetrain. Also, while it is apart you can shoot some grease in places you otherwise can't get to. If you want to save some bucks buy a manual and try it yourself but at least do it right!

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Leaking water around outdrive

Found this on another thread, did a cut and paste...might make you think twice...<br /><br /> Finally getting to the boat to get it ready for the water and while doing some maintenance found a couple surprises.<br /><br />I found that wherever I had applied 5200 last season (on stainless steel trim tabs, brass drain tubes) there was no adhesion. It sticks like crazy to the fiberglass but not worth a damn to brass or stainless steel.<br /><br />These surfaces WERE scuffed with 180 grit sandpaper and cleaned with acetone before applying the 5200. I am not longer trusting my sealing needs to this stuff. Thought I would pass this along to caution other users of potential sealing failure.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Leaking water around outdrive

Your Leak,..... Is Usually Caused by the Transom Rotting Away,+ Collapsing.......<br /><br />No amount of Glue is going to Fix It.......<br />And,...... The Problems it Causes are going to get Worse,..... Much Worse........<br /><br />As Stated Above,....... The ONLY Fix,... Is to Pull it Apart,+ Fix the Real Issue..........