Leaky teaky outdrive

[shammesfah]

Curious problem ith merc alpha 1 gen 1.
I have water coming in around the drive shaft when the boat is in the water and the engine is off. If the engine is running no water? I have installed new bell housing and bellows. I am thinking it might be transom assembly but why no water when the engine is running? Second is it possible to pull the transom assembly with out pulling the motor
Any ideas on finding the leak while the boat is out?

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Leaky teaky outdrive

I know you said you had new ujoint bellows but, man....that is describing exactly what was happening with my boat before I replaced my torn bellows. It was torn in the top and I just assumed that maybe the ujoints kept the water "thrown" out somewhat when the engine was running. When I would shut it off to drift in the river, water would then come in. Could something have happened to it already or could it have come partly off?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Leaky teaky outdrive

Do you smell exhaust in the bilge? You could have a leak in the exhaust pipe, that doesn't leak when the engine fills it with exhaust.

 

[Don S]

Re: Leaky teaky outdrive

Either the bellows was installed wrong, the transom shield clampring is rotted away, or the large quad ring (a in the drawing) was cut or pushed out of place when installing the drive. That is the only way for water to come out around the drive shaft.
Your exhaust always has water in it, even when running, that is how it stays cool.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Leaky teaky outdrive

im with don, you need to recheck your bellows... sounds like they didn't go on correctly. Did you clean the mating surfaces with a wire brush or such? and were you fairly liberal with bellows adhesive?? if you didn't or you were not then you are almost certain to have a leak.