Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

[p12]

I am taking on water (~3 gals/hour). I suspect poor sealing of the drain plug housing or a bad bellow (of course I have no idea what i'm talking about).<br /><br />We took out the boat (93 Sea Ray 200 Overnighter, 4.3 Mercrusier Alpha I Gen II) this Saturday for a shake down. We were hoping to leave it in the slip, but it seems to be taking on water and I didn't want to depend on the bilge switch and batteries to keep it afloat so out it came. <br /><br />Events leading up to the run:<br /><br />-I resealed the cast drain plug housing with 3M 5200 but only let it cure for about 3hrs before putting the boat in. <br /><br />-When we were running the boat on the muffs water was coming out at the transom. I seem to remember that water coming out of the outdrive closer to the prop last year. I don't remember, is this how it is supposed to be, or an indication of a crack in a bellow that could lead to water coming into the bilge?<br /><br />The weather looks great this week, we'd like to get back on the water with a minimal of work and cost.<br /><br />Suggestions/comments/feedback?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

Sounds like a bellows leaking. Not too difficult to repair. Read through the section in the manual pretty thoroughly before you pull it apart.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

Check your sterndrive oil for water, resevoir should be mounted om the engine..... if you see any water in it get it fixed before you take the boat out again, water in your drive can cause lots of expensive problems, if you need to replace your bellows, do them all while your at it.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

when was the last time the outdrive was off and serviced.

 

[p12]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

I'm not sure when the outdrive was serviced last. It was off last spring when I bought the boat for a pre-purchase inspection (I was told it was fine). The outdrive fluid was not milky when i emptied it at the end of last season, I have not checked the new fluid to see if it is milky/has any signs of water after we were out Saturday.<br /><br />I did go out and inspect the bellows and was unable to find any obvious leaks, so I guess that's unconclusive.<br /><br />Thanks for help.<br /><br />-P

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

Take the boat out of the water and fill it with water... Not too high, but just enough to find the leak if it is a hull problem....<br /><br />Don't flood the electrics or motor...<br /><br />Let us know...

 

[p12]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

I went ahead and resealed the drain plug housing and ran a tap over it to clean it up a bit. I'm going to let it sit till thursday and then take it to a ramp. Leaving it tied to the trailer I'll put the transom in the water and watch the bilge. I'll have a buddy move the outdrive up and down, left and right. I guess if it's the plug or bellows, this should find it.<br /><br />-P

 

[rob85546]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

mine was doing the same, had the wife spraying the hose all around the drive while i looked inside with a flashlight. on mine there are 2 bolts on the bottom transom mount with anodes on them. the water was coming in petty good thru them. I replaced them and now it is fine.. they have rubber seals on them and in my manual said when they go bad it will leak..the bolts are like 4-5 inches long and they were pretty well corroded..

 

[p12]

Re: Water in blige??? Bellows, drain plug, other?

Well, put it in the water last week and it turned out to be something with the drain plug. I let the 5200 cure for 6 days, cleaned up the threads in the plug housing with a tap, wrapped the plug with tape and installed the plug myself. Not taking on a drop, <br /><br />Thanks for the help, Got it in the water just in time to watch the Blue Angels over the Ohio River during the Thunder Over Louisville air show.<br /><br />Mike