Merc 3.0 liter, water from flywheel area

[slag]

I get a very small amount of water coming from out the flywheel area/starter hole upon startup. It pumps for about 3-4 seconds and then stops and is dry the rest of the time. The two times I've started the boat this year have been a few days after a hard rain and my boat cover has a hole right by the doghouse, so what are the chances that rain water is making it down to that area vs a freeze plug going out? If I had a bad freeze plug, I'd expect the water to keep gushing out but it stops which leads me to believe its not the plug. Furthermore, it did this when on muffs or in the water, so its not a leak through the bellows type of issue I don't believe.

I guess I need to bring it back home, put it on muffs again, and see if it does it again since its not supposed to rain tonight. Sure hope I don't have to pull the outdrive and engine, but worse things could happen I guess..

 

[cannonford57]

Re: Merc 3.0 liter, water from flywheel area

you are right if it were a freeze plug u would think it would keep coming unless the plug itself has developed a hole at the edge and leaking not pouring...had it happen to me once.also u are right about it just being the rainwater but it would have to rain enough to get almost to the starter in order for it to get to the weep passage on the bellhousing.if the boat stays in the water u may have another source of intake of water to consider

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Merc 3.0 liter, water from flywheel area

Mine was the freeze plug,water got in the starter,ruined it. Even if its not the freeze plug...oops.. CORE plug,take apart the starter and dry ut out before it goes south. Mabe put a small tarp over the doghouse before it rains,see if it stays dry there next time.
Grub

 

[slag]

Re: Merc 3.0 liter, water from flywheel area

will do.. thanks.