I am a new boater. Had a great deal for a 23 footer CCabin Mariah I/O few months ago. It is 94, kept very well. Interior is in superb condition, engine runs fine (Merc 5.0 - V8). Two months ago stern bellow was broken on the sea, caused a major damage on the upper drive unit and I almost sank! Must say got scared a bit. <br />My mechanic fixed the problem, now there is a water leak which we just cant find where it is coming from. Auto bilge pump is pumping the water out like every five minutes in amount of more than a gallon. So this can't be normal.<br /><br />Mechanic and I practically tried EVERYTHINK, uninstall & install the out drive maybe six times, each time we went on the water do a test drive... No solution. LEAK IS STILL THERE...<br />All the parts are brand new - OMC parts.. (a lot of $$$s too). <br /><br />Mechanic has an excellent reputation and he specializes on Merc I/O drives. I asked around everybody speaks very highly of him and he seems very skilled and knows what he is doing. <br /><br />Any tip? I will appreciate it deeply - before I make a bun fire out of the boat?<br /><br />"tufantabak@yahoo.com" <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 3 | From: Fajardo, PR | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged <br /> <br />Captain HooknFinger <br />Captain <br />Member # 31866 <br /><br /> posted September 07, 2003 08:58 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Clarify please..<br /><br />Is this a Mercruiser Alpha 1 or an OMC outdrive?<br /><br />Did the leak start AFTER the outdrive was repaird and re-installed?<br /><br />Where are you seeing the water come in from?<br /><br />Are you looking behind the engine inside the boat?<br />If so, where abouts are you seeing the water leak develop? like what area?<br /><br />PB<br /><br />--------------------<br />Striper Bass New England<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 34 | From: Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged <br /> <br />Tufan <br />First Mate <br />Member # 32486 <br /><br /> posted September 07, 2003 09:13 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />I am sorry, It is a Merc Alpha one.<br />I wanted to mean 'original Merc parts' when I said OMC... (forgive me as a new boater)<br /><br />Yes it started after the repairs.<br />It is very hard to say, it seems like it is coming from where engine and outdrive connects, from the lower-back side. Very tight area. It is not coming in during cruising, it starts coming in when engine is shut off. <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 3 | From: Fajardo, PR | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged <br /> <br />Wellcraft 89 <br />Captain <br />Member # 14421 <br /><br /> posted September 07, 2003 09:42 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />when the mechanic replaced the bellows ,did he chk the 3 other things that can bring water into that area?<br />1)exhaust bellows<br />2)raw water intake hose <br />3)shift cable bellows <br /><br />also new bellows go bad very quickly if not installed right <br /><br />Rich <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 44 | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged <br /> <br />Tufan <br />First Mate <br />Member # 32486 <br /><br /> posted September 07, 2003 09:55 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Yes, we have replaced all the bellows. Not only bellows, we had to replace everythink there. The main shaft, bushings, intake hose, and what ever else was there that I dont know how do you call them... 
<br /><br />I have never beed this much frustrated. <br /><br />I even thought about getting rid of the whole engine and stern drive, get a bracket and buy an outboard engine. Contacted with this people from Florida to get pricing for a bracket. That stainless steel piece alone is $ 1000 bucks. However it is too much $$$ and a friend of mine suggested not to go for it becasue he said I will have to get the back of the boat re-built since it was not designed for an outboard, he said back construction may not be strong enough. Which made sense.
<br /><br />I have never beed this much frustrated. <br /><br />I even thought about getting rid of the whole engine and stern drive, get a bracket and buy an outboard engine. Contacted with this people from Florida to get pricing for a bracket. That stainless steel piece alone is $ 1000 bucks. However it is too much $$$ and a friend of mine suggested not to go for it becasue he said I will have to get the back of the boat re-built since it was not designed for an outboard, he said back construction may not be strong enough. Which made sense.