alpha-1 water leak question

[OLDFISHER]

Greetings, My new project has a snag. Today was to be the first time out with my new old smokercraft, it did'nt go so well. I am actually an outboard man but not this time, I put the boat in the water at the ramp and before I could get in I noticed the bilge pump running (alot) pulled it back out of the water and water poured from a hole in the lower unit. I don't know much about the out drive side so I need to ask, What is wrong and can anyone fix it? Please see the sharpie marking the hole opening. It has the same hole onthe other side but only leaked from this side, (Starboard) When I got home I added fresh water to the hull and out came the water. Thanks in advance.

 

[JoLin]

That hole is simply the path the water took to run out onto the ground. The leak that's letting water into the boat is elsewhere, above that point. You said you can replicate the leak by running some water into the bilge. So, raise the drive all the way up to the trailering position, run some water into the boat, and get up in there with a flashlight and see where the water is really leaving the boat. The obvious culprit would be the shift cable bellow.

My .02

 

[OLDFISHER]

No Title

Thanks, I did that and find no water in the area between the upper unit and the mounting flange. It is coming only out the hole the hoses or bellows are all dry.???

 

[Bondo]

I don't know much about the out drive side so I need to ask, What is wrong and can anyone fix it? Please see the sharpie marking the hole opening. It has the same hole onthe other side but only leaked from this side, (Starboard) When I got home I added fresh water to the hull and out came the water.

Ayuh,..... That's the idle relief port,.... exhaust pours outa there at idle in the water,....

My Best Guess is,......
The motor was run dry once upon a time, the exhaust shutters got Fried,....
After that, the pieces of the shutters, fell down inside the y-pipe/ down-pipe, possibly causin' runability issues, or not,....
With time, 'n vibrations, at least one ole shutter piece, wore a hole in the aluminum y-pipe/ down-pipe,....

Unfortunately, the motor's gotta come out to get to the y-pipe/ down-pipe to replace it or possibly removin', 'n weldin' it,...
You'll want a new gasket either way,...

It's held in-place by 3 or 4, 12-point headed bolts, that takes a 7/16" 12 point socket,....

 

[OLDFISHER]

Thats really bad news, is there any reason I can't just plug that hole and forget it since exhaust coms out of the prop area anyway?

 

[Bt Doctur]

it will still enter the bilge. there is no magic bullet. engine comes out and the Y pipe is replaced

 

[Bondo]

Thats really bad news, is there any reason I can't just plug that hole and forget it since exhaust coms out of the prop area anyway?

Ayuh,.... The entire exhaust cavity is open to the water, up to the shutters, just below the riser,....

The shutters are supposed to be at the Top of the y-pipe/ down-pipe,....

 

[Bt Doctur]

Page 7D-2 ,right side
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/16/16D7R2.PDF

 

[OLDFISHER]

I gotcha, wow what a deal I got, hahaha Oh well now I will at least see what it's made of. Thanks for the replys folks.