leaking water in boat

[xirocrtx]

a friend of mine just acquired a 76 cobalt with a omc motor and outdrive. the previous owner said it leaked water through the back and thought it was the seal/boot around the outdrive. i went and looked at it yesterday and seen that the boot was dry rotted and cracked. what I am wondering is since we never had it in the water, is there anything else we should check that could add to the leak? we will hook it to muffs before the first time to check the engine for problems, but what else could be leaking? what kind of a job is it to replace that boot? time wise? is there a omc manual for these? sorry for all the questions, i just want to make sure we are not opening a can of worms. because I will be helping. thanks everyone.

Kurt

 

[flargin]

Re: leaking water in boat

check the transom, might be rotted. there are a number of threads about rotten transoms.


That is opening a can of worms....

 

[cr2k]

Re: leaking water in boat

First off there are 2 sizes of transom boots, get the right one. Know your boat year and model.

The boot is not a hard job. You DO NOT need to remove the drive. unscrew all the screws and pry out the aluminum ring (I would mark the top as some rings aren't marked very well), then using a scraper, razor blade or similar thing scrape the boot loose. Inside you will find a giant hose clamp that holds it to the drive. Loosen the clamp and the boot is ready to be taken off. For ease of removal just cut it on one side to get it off.

Clean the transom of all the sealer and finish cleaning with carb spray or solvent to provide a clean surface for the new sealer to adhere to.

Noting the 3 arrows as UP you will have to stretch the new boot over the drive being careful not to cut or tear it. Once over the drive center the boot and make sure it is seated in the groove around the drive (clean this too). Replace the clamp making sure the boot and clamp stay in the grooves they are supposed to be in, tighten the clamp, first giving it a little shot of something to lube the screw so it doesn't gall.

Now recheck the boot for alignment. If good, place the ring back in the groove around the boot (also has top and bottom). Now it is time for the sealer. Life Seal is one of the best to use. But any quality (because you don't want leaks here) sealer designated for Below Water Line will work.

It will help when re screwing to use an awl or two to help align the holes and hold it while re-screwing (through the boot in to screw holes). If you have any stripped holes, go one size larger with the screws (from 8 to 10) or try a piece of wood strip in the hole to shim it up. Any screws larger than #10 will require slight drilling of the hole in the alum. ring.Make sure you put enough sealer so it will ooze out and you can run your finger around the outside to bead it in place.

Allow over nite or as required by product before returning to the water.

I can do this in 45 min. But then I have done dozens of them. Give your self 2 hours for the job.

While you have the boot off it is a good time to check your tilt motor for tightness, as well as all the little things you can only see with the boot off like for transom rot, The rear of your stringers for rot, loose wires, etc.

Good luck!

 

[xirocrtx]

Re: leaking water in boat

awesome! thanks alot! that sounds way easier than i had thought. transom rot would be bad. we will be poking around for that before spending any money on it. the boot sounds like a good deal though. ever notice any leaks around the boat seal where there is just sealant? my boat has had a extra bead of silicone there for years with no leaks. we might just run a little around there for precaution. is there any omc service manuals for these? thanks again.

Kurt

 

[proshadetree]

Re: leaking water in boat

Fill the lower of the bilge with a water hose look for leaks at the back.Wish I had done mine that way before I first set it in.My transom was shot.Fixed in 2 weekends.But I have a bayliner and their simple.

 

[xirocrtx]

Re: leaking water in boat

sounds good, we will fill it with water first. thanks everyone. you all have been a great help. one more question, what are the stingers that we should check with the boot off?