Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

[Locke]

I'm getting ready to put my 2000 Sundancer in a wetslip and wanted to replace the transim seal and boots due to a slow leak. The question is can a guy with decent mechanical skills (me) pull this off pretty easy. I have access to a forklift if that makes removing the drive easier. Is there a how to guide for this?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

Howdy,

I did all that when I pulled out the modern and high tech OMC King Kobra engine and drive and replaced it with the 1997 454/Bravo III

You'll need to pull the drive, engine and gimbal.

You need an installation manual and a Merc manual #11

Go to http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf for online manuals.

It's worth it to buy manuals though and do a little bed-time reading.


Cheers,

Rick

I'm getting ready to put my 2000 Sundancer in a wetslip and wanted to replace the transim seal and boots due to a slow leak. The question is can a guy with decent mechanical skills (me) pull this off pretty easy. I have access to a forklift if that makes removing the drive easier. Is there a how to guide for this?

 

[Don S]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

Actually, you need manual #28r for your 2000 drive, 11 only goes up to 1998. But it's also on line.
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/28r1/28r.pdf Look at section 4A

You can also download one for your engine. Just go to the link and check the index.
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/sisdata/srvcovr.pdf

Where exactly is it leaking? I couldn't imagine the transom seal leaking on that new a boat. Bellow yes, but not the transom seal. Maybe even a shift cable bellows, but I sure wouldn't start replacing stuff till you know exactly where the water in coming in at.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

I was hoping you'd jump in there and correct my suggestion.The Boatfix manuals don't go up that high yet do they?

 

[Don S]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

The Boatfix manuals don't go up that high yet do they?

They haven't changed for about 5 years that I know of, and still only offer very few manuals. But for the longest time, was the only game in town.

 

[Locke]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

I probably used the wrong words. I'm not sure where the leak is, probably the bellows like you said. I had a Volvo years ago that had a slow bellows leak.

HT32BSX115 did you say remove the engine?

 

[Don S]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

HT32BSX115 did you say remove the engine?

He was referring to the transom seal. It's that 3/4" dia rubber ring that goes aroung the transom shield to seal the transom shield onto the transom. Very similar to the Volvo seal.
To replace it, you have to pull the engine so you can pull the transom shield out of the boat to put the new seal in.

FInd the leak before you start fixing things.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

HT32BSX115 did you say remove the engine?
wanted to replace the transim seal

Ayuh,......

The Transom Seal is retained by the Gimbal Housing, which is bolted to the Engine on the otherside........

The engine stays put if you're Just changing the Bellows'............

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 transom seal R&R

Like Don was saying.....Find the leak before you take everything apart looking for it.

It's pretty unlikely that the transom seal is leaking or has started leaking.

If it was leaking it probably would have been leaking from "day-one".

Unless a transom seal is put on wrong (I.E. with a large gap in the seal ends and/or maybe not cementing the ends where they meet etc) They almost never leak.

When I installed mine it came with a diameter that had it fitting in the transom indentation perfectly. It kept falling out so I used a little trim cement to hold it in place while I was putting the gimbal on the transom.

More than likely you have a leak in the main (drive shaft) bellows or shift cable bellows. one or the other may have a small crack in them.

I also had a (what I thought was a) leak too. It turned out to be the speedometer tube.

It was disconnected. and when I was just sitting in the water not moving, water was pouring in thru the point where the speedo tube pushes onto the fitting. (my drive speedo pitot is plugged down below so I have to use a plastic stern mounted speedo-pitot.)

I had that thing out yesterday at Lake Tapps, Wa and at 4600 RPM, 26p props 1.8:1 drive I was running 58 mph!

My brother was with me (first time he's seen the boat since I bought it from him)

He told me that it runs better and comes out of the hole better than when he took delivery (new) in Las Vegas in 1987!

Now he wants the boat back!!!


I think I'll keep it!!



Cheers,


Rick

He was referring to the transom seal. It's that 3/4" dia rubber ring that goes aroung the transom shield to seal the transom shield onto the transom. Very similar to the Volvo seal.
To replace it, you have to pull the engine so you can pull the transom shield out of the boat to put the new seal in.

FInd the leak before you start fixing things.