Is this from a damaged bellows?

[Chavez1978]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Here are some updated videos. I am almost certain the transom seal is missing, pinched or bad at this point (unless someone knows something I don't see). I was shown an exploded view of the transom assembly, and there is only one rubber seal/gasket in between the mating surfaces. I had caulked with silicon earlier this summer and it seemed to completely hold for awhile. I noticed the bilge was filling again, but much quicker lately so I did another leak test.

I pulled the boat up an inclined driveway and filled the bilge up backwards. Put the plug in first obviously....and here is where it leaked out.

http://youtu.be/_Tb1Yg3ibMo

http://youtu.be/LA78MZuwxRc

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Here are some updated videos. I am almost certain the transom seal is missing, pinched or bad at this point (unless someone knows something I don't see). I was shown an exploded view of the transom assembly, and there is only one rubber seal/gasket in between the mating surfaces. I had caulked with silicon earlier this summer and it seemed to completely hold for awhile. I noticed the bilge was filling again, but much quicker lately so I did another leak test.

I pulled the boat up an inclined driveway and filled the bilge up backwards. Put the plug in first obviously....and here is where it leaked out.

http://youtu.be/_Tb1Yg3ibMo

http://youtu.be/LA78MZuwxRc

In those 2 videos, it appears as though the water is coming out from between the transom plate and transom. Sure looks like the transom assy "O" ring is leaking big time there. Pretty much can see what your "winter project" is going to be. May explain what all the RTV was on there. The PO (or earlier) may have known about a soft transom and figured RTV would "help". Possibly, the RTV is what allowed this to happen in the first place. If the cured RTV shifts, even a tiny bit, by the transom assy moving at all, it will leak. Maybe it's possible the nuts on the transom assy studs inside the boat are loose. Another cause is a soft transom (read rotted) allowing the assy to move around and not seal.

Any of these problems that have been mentioned require an engine out operation, with varying degrees of repairs to correct.

 

[Chavez1978]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Yeah, I sometimes wonder if the PO knew. Friend of mine....but he is the one who put the RTV on there...I've looked at the nuts and they look tight though I don't know what the actual torque values should be...regardless I'll have the marine mechanics look at it since this is my first boat. I'm not brave enough to attempt a fix on my own.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Yeah, I sometimes wonder if the PO knew. Friend of mine....but he is the one who put the RTV on there...I've looked at the nuts and they look tight though I don't know what the actual torque values should be...regardless I'll have the marine mechanics look at it since this is my first boat. I'm not brave enough to attempt a fix on my own.

Let us know what happens. Hate to see that happen, especially to a newbe. Maybe the PO will work with you to make it right, especially being a friend of yours.....
Ya never know....

 

[Chavez1978]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Let us know what happens. Hate to see that happen, especially to a newbe. Maybe the PO will work with you to make it right, especially being a friend of yours.....
Ya never know....

One would think...oddly, he's an automotive technician and knows a lot about boats as well. This seal was there when I bought the boat, and even when he owned it; there is a part of me that wonders if he knew this was going to be an issue. Another part of me thinks he just ignored it and it wasn't intentional. Regardless, I'm not going to make an issue, but I will say "lesson learned" and probably keep things are arms length. He's been well aware of some of the issues I'm having (including a thermostat that doesn't seem to be reading at all even after I changed out the sending units. This may be a bad instrument gage though...sorry for the side rant.

Anyhow, yes, it will cost me some money to get it fixed...boat otherwise seems to be running great and well maintained. I just don't think anything good can come of me broaching the topic...without it seeming like I'm throwing blame. I feel like I'd put myself between a rock and a hard-place for no reason. I'll have to say "lesson learned".

 

[Chavez1978]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Well...i called Tracker Marine and they said that in a 1995 with my size engine that 9 times out of 10 it's a soft transom, not just (or even) the transom seal).

I'm going to do some digging, but can anyone tell me what that job typically costs? To reinforce/repair the transom etc...get it all put back together? This sounds bad..very bad....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Well...i called Tracker Marine and they said that in a 1995 with my size engine that 9 times out of 10 it's a soft transom, not just (or even) the transom seal).

I'm going to do some digging, but can anyone tell me what that job typically costs? To reinforce/repair the transom etc...get it all put back together? This sounds bad..very bad....

Ayuh,.... I suggest you cruise through the Restoration forum for awhile,...

The answers to yer questions are All in there,....

Btw,... It ain't "To reinforce/repair the transom etc"...

It's dig out the rot, 'n Replace with new wood....

 

[Chavez1978]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Ayuh,.... I suggest you cruise through the Restoration forum for awhile,...

The answers to yer questions are All in there,....

Btw,... It ain't "To reinforce/repair the transom etc"...

It's dig out the rot, 'n Replace with new wood....

Yes Bondo...i realize it's replacing the wood. Sorry for my wording.

I saw the number $2500 in there....that's all I was asking is for evidence to support that cost. I have searched and found hundreds of posts on the repair itself. I'm not looking for how to repair it...i'm looking for cost to repair it...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Yes Bondo...i realize it's replacing the wood. Sorry for my wording.

I saw the number $2500 in there....that's all I was asking is for evidence to support that cost. I have searched and found hundreds of posts on the repair itself. I'm not looking for how to repair it...i'm looking for cost to repair it...

Ayuh,.... We're Diy'ers, not estimate writers,...

You need to start a thread in the restoration forum, as this is nothin' much to do with a Mercruiser issue...

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

as soon as i saw that silicon around there, figured it was a bad transom.

hope you get it sorted.

 

[straightleg]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Were you located....Carpenter by trade, but I am in southern Ohio


Gerry

 

[becxlt]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

as soon as i saw that silicon around there, figured it was a bad transom.

hope you get it sorted.

Yep thats what I thought too .Poor Guy ! :facepalm:

 

[Chavez1978]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

Located in Oklahoma...

I guess I thought silicon as a backup seal wasn't all that uncommon from a few people I know who have it on there boat...and no leak.

 

[marktaco]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

If it's rotted, the transom can sometimes be repaired (after the engine/outdrive are out) by using various tools to dig out/remove the rotted areas. Then, using marine grade epoxy with filler, you can pour it into the now cleaned out area. The fiberglass on both sides will serve as a "form" to contain the epoxy till it dries. Then, smooth off the top with sandpaper/sander to get a finished, smooth top surface.

If I were going to seal around the transom/outdrive with a sealant, I'd use 3M 5200 (or equivalent West Marine product). It's made for underwater use and is probably the most common sealant used to seal thru hull valves, etc. I would not trust my boat staying afloat to some other type of sealant that is not underwater rated.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Is this from a damaged bellows?

I have done a couple of transoms, and it is hard work, but not impossible. Just getting everything out of the way is the hard part.