3.0L, pre-Alpha drive Q's

[johnnynegaunee]

I discovered today as my wife was raising the drive, that a good quart or so of water drained out from the transom at the back of the engine, obviously not a good thing.

My primary question is this: Can the repair of this be put off 'till fall if I grease the thing more often? I just greased the U-joints a month ago when I had the drive off, and I'm hoping to use it as is for a few more trips fishing.

Then when I do have to repair it (depending on the advice), should I pressure test this part of the drive for leaks? Or won't that work. I haven't seen this sort of leak in the yard with the muffs, would that mean its the bellows? I do not see any obvious split in the rubber today, and didn't see any when the drive was off. How many hours do these rubber parts typically last?

Any input on these 4 questions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 3.0L, pre-Alpha drive Q's

It all depends on where the water is leaking in.

If it leaks while running, or shut off,either way the old adage pay me now or pay MORE LATER is very true.

You may have a leaky hose connection inside the boat or a split bellows on the shift cable, or one of a few other things, you have to start looking.

 

[45Auto]

Re: 3.0L, pre-Alpha drive Q's

If it's your u-joint bellows leaking and you wait until fall it will probably cost you at least a new input shaft for the outdrive, gimbal bearing, and u-joints. The input shaft will rust and can easily eat the seal to the outdrive, which will then get water in it and possibly trash the whole outdrive.

A leaking shift bellows you could live with if you had to.

You usually won't see the leak by looking at the bellows unless it's REAL bad.

It's usually recommended to replace the bellows at least every 5 years. They will dry out and get stiff just like any other rubber product. Depends on the chemicals in the water you run in how long they'll last. I know of a couple of boats running on bellows over 15 years old. I also know of a couple that developed leaks at well less than 10 years who wish they had changed the bellows!

No matter what it is (bellows, water hose, water pump, transom seal, etc) it's not going to get any better. It's trying to warn you now. As CharlieB says, "the old adage pay me now or pay MORE LATER is very true".

 

[johnnynegaunee]

Re: 3.0L, pre-Alpha drive Q's

I believe that I was very careful to get the new o-ring and seal properly seated when I had the drive off, that said is it unlikely for water to leak from these joints? Is a leaky bellows the usual culprit when water comes in from the transom? This is an "R" drive with the lift hole/ring.

The water does not seem to leak in while underway, but it certainly was when the drive was being powered up. Thanks.