87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

[55chevy]

Ok,<br />Im new so here it goes... I have a 1987 4.3 4bl, with a Cobra drive. My problem is that when I put it in the water, the water trickles in from some place unknown??? I have to turn the pump on every hour. to remove about 2 gallons of water. What I am afraid of is that the 2 gallons will turn into 10...20... or more. Could someone please tell me where these things tend to leak, and possibly how to eliminate possible leaks. I thought about lifting the front of the boat up as far as it will go, and filling the boat with water, but who knows??? I would appreciate any information on this subject that can be provided. I looked around the web site and could not find this problem.<br />Thank you.<br />Mark

 

[rbezdon]

Re: 87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

There ae quite a few possibilities and with out a bit more information I don't think anyone is going to be able to tell you. I have seen quite a few postings on this topic as well so look a bit harder with the search function, red letters dead center of this page about an inch from the top. It could be everything from a transom leak to a shift bellows. Does it leak the same whether the engine is running or not?? Could even be a hose leak or even a crack the block if it only leaks when the ewngine is running.

 

[55chevy]

Re: 87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

It does leak just setting in the water. Not when the motor is on. I went to the lake and set the boat in the water, put it in the slip... it sat for about an hour, I went back and pumped out about 2 gallons. Last night I went out and looked at the exhaust bellows, and it looks weathered (small cracks). But would this cause the leak? I also looked at the drive shaft bellows and it looks good. But looks don't always tell the story. I will search some more on the topic. Thank you for your reply.<br />Mark

 

[tommays]

Re: 87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

you need to search the stern area carefully with a flashlight and mirror if nessary<br /><br />there are many different things that could leak and when you find the real leak someone can give you the best way to repiar it<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[55chevy]

Re: 87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

Well,<br />I filled the boat with water and sat there... It seems that the ring around the plug it self is leaking, not alot but a drop every couple seconds. Would that be enough to put 2 gallons in an hour???<br /> I did get a flash light out, and went around looking for the evidence of a leak...water marks and such. Really could not find anything. The exhaust bellows is weathered a bit, but the driveshaft/"U" joint bellows looks good, as does the water in-take hose...<br /> So,<br />how does that ring fit in??? Is it pressed? or should I be able to pop it out and re-(RTV) and press back in?<br /> Thank you all for your replies.<br />Mark

 

[rbezdon]

Re: 87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

I cant tell you about the plug ring but I can tell you that the leak is not from the exhaust bellows. The exhaust bellows is not the water barrier for the exhaust. The bellows only channels the exhaust gas away from the transom and into the drive and since the exit of the exhaust (the center of the prop) is below the water, the exhaust is full of water up to the static water line. What prevents water from coming in through the exhaust is the fact that the risers are above the static water line. In fact, the new style bellows have a series of splits in them the whole elngth. The drive bellows mainly keeps the water off of the drive shaft, u joints and coupler inside of the transom assembly. If you have a leak there is it VERY bad for your ujionts and gimball bearing. Since the exhaust bellows is in poor condition I bet neither have been replaced for quite some time and a drive train failure is usually very very bad and expensive. Have the drive bellows inspected/replaced. The main water barrier bellows is the shift cable bellows and this is a potential leak as well.

 

[55chevy]

Re: 87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

And yet another question,<br />Is there anyway of checking the "drive shaft/"U" joint without taking the bellows off???<br />Thank you again.<br />Mark

 

[55chevy]

Re: 87 Galaxi leaking water into engine compartment

Vatter41,<br />I just noticed that yor profile says "Petty Officer 1st Class".<br /> I am currently in the NAVY (18 1/2 years)and A Petty Officer 1st Class, I know that is just your rank in this forum, I just thought it was funny.<br />Mark