merc 3.0 leak under transom plate

[pmtom1]

Hey all... Dad just got a 1988 stingray 17.5 with literally 90 hours on it. It looks showroom new. However, we quickly noticed more water in the bilge then we expected and after drying out and digging in we founds the culprit. Water is leaking (a light flow) right under the center of the inside transom plate area. Seemed to be slightly more when engine was running while docked at slip but still leaking when engine off. Tomorrow we are going to pull boat out and and run with muffs to see if it still leaks. Will also check transom for soft spots around the housing.

Any other first things to check?

thank you!!

 

[harringtondav]

Hard to imagine transom rot on the boat you described. Let's hope not. A bad driveshaft bellows can flood and weep water thru the transom thru a little bleed hole in the transom plate. Also a bad shift cable bellows will do the same, but not on center. It sounds more scary than it actually is, but you should pull the out drive and check for water in the drive shaft bellows. While your at it, push the bell hsg. full up to stretch the shift cable bellows. If bad it will show itself.

These could be 30 yr old original bellows. Age alone could have deteriorated them.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Bellows rotted out is also My 1st guess,......

 

[Scott Danforth]

on a 31 year old boat, its either a rotten transom or rotten bellows

only 90 hours on the boat means that no-one used the dang thing. it should have closer to 1500 hours on it.

 

[pmtom1]

We are pulling out today and will report back. Thanks for the replies / advice!