control assembly "leaking"

[donskrin]

Hi:<br /><br />I had a mechanical inspection of a boat I am planning to purchase yesterday. It is a 1998 Crownline 210CCR with a 5.0L Mercruiser Alpha outdrive. The boat and engine 'look' to be in very good shape but a couple of things came up. One was the starboard riser is getting hotter than the left to the point that it is somewhat uncomfortable to keep your hand on it for more than a few seconds. I believe that one (along with the manifold) will need replacing soon.<br /><br />The thing that has me perplexed is the control assembly on the right side of the engine that runs down to the outdrive is leaking salt water. When you are on plane the leak is a drop every second or slightly faster. When at idle it is a drop every 5 seconds or so. When you turn the engine off it does nt leak. Does anyone have any idea about what may be causing this?<br /><br />I informed the broker that I want this condition fixed as a condition of sale. Any help would be most appreciated!<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Don

 

[Don S]

Re: control assembly "leaking"

If one manifold and riser is plugged up, change them both. Otherwise, when you change the one that is getting hot now, it will run cool and the other one will get hot. Water follows the path of least resistance.<br />On your leaking cable problem, that is your shift cable and the seal on the bellhousing shift shaft and possibly the gasket between the drive and bellhousing are bad and needs replaced. The cable should also be replaced since it's had water (possibly salt water) running through it.<br /><br />EDIT: Perhaps this picture will help explain the leak.<br />

 

[donskrin]

Re: control assembly "leaking"

Don S.<br /><br />Thank you for the reply. Yuo are absolutely correct about changing both manifolds and risers.<br /><br />A couple of questions about that. Once I change them is there a fresh water flush kit you would recommend? (web link to a source would be great if so) and do you recommend stainless manifolds and risers ?<br /><br />As far as the shift cable...I asked the marina where the boat is to do an outdrive service to include among other things changing the bellows (they looked to have some dry rot cracking going on), the impeller, and anodes. He gave ma a rough estimate of $300-350 but will detail that on Monday. Does that sound about in the ballpark?<br /><br />Any and all info you can provide to this newbie is most appreciated!!<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Don<br /><br />some additional info. The temp (on gauge) stayed around 160 deg F during sea trial

 

[Don S]

Re: control assembly "leaking"

Are you planning on trailering the boat or leaving it in the water for the summer?

 

[Don S]

Re: control assembly "leaking"

With a shift cable being replaced, along with the bellows, and impeller, and new gear lube and gaskets, you will have over $200 in parts alone, plus around 3 to 4 hours of labor for the drive and cable service.

 

[donskrin]

Re: control assembly "leaking"

I am purchasing the boat without a trailer for now. I will be looking to purchase a trailer with the ultimate plan to leave the boat on a trailer at the club I belong to...<br /><br />...Hey, I just answered my question about the flush kit...don't need it if I am going to be putting it on the trailer most of the time!<br /><br />I think i'm just concerned that I will find that to be a pain and end up leaving it in the water in a slip most of the time. I just know that while changing the manifolds and risers that is the time to add the flush kit if I am going to!<br /><br />How about the stainless...that would seem to add a potential engine block corrosion issue...dissimilar metals and all of that.<br /><br />edit...we re doing this in real time. My concern is the current owner is supposed to pay for fixing the leak. I am concerned I am going to get stuck with the bill for the maintenance and fixing the leak. At a minimum I shouldn't pay for the new shft cable I guess.

 

[Don S]

Re: control assembly "leaking"

If you are going to keep it on the trailer, flushing with something like Salt-Away will sure help a lot.<br />As far as stainless manifolds and risers, they are SPENDY!!!!! and will cost about what 2 sets of regular OEM manifolds and risers will.<br />The dissimalar metals won't be a problem, they aren't in the water so it's not a problem.<br />Here are a couple of links to stainless exhaust.<br /><br /> http://www.imcomarine.com/pages/exhuast.html <br /><br /> http://www.stainlessmarine.com/bigblockb.html

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: control assembly "leaking"

its been a while since i fitted anything but factory fwc kits. is there a fwc product on the market that will include the manifolds? this would eliminate the need to ever change them or replace them with stainless. poor risers never get any lovin. i know there are block off plates for older mercruisers including the manifolds in the fwc side.