My Bayliner takes on water

[scubajohn]

Please Help.

Ok let's see if I can explain what is going on.During the Summer I took my 1987 Bayliner Cuddy Cabin with I/O 4CYL Mercrusier in it for a drive.We took her 13 miles out and while fishing I noticed the engine compartment was taking water on.

More in a panic I never noticed where the water was coming in from but it seemed like it would rise at about inch or two every 5 minutes.

I got her back home cleaned her up but was at a lose about the leak.

Now it's time to fix her since my boat repair guy would cost me $75 a hour and he figured it would be a 4-6 hour job and wasn't sure where leak is.

I imagine I will have to remove my outdrive upper and lower,my first guess is maybe a leak in the boats that attach?so my question is where do I begin?there are 6 bolts to remove is there anything else I need to disconnect?

Also I was told to replace the rubber in the exshaults manifold after a few years and while removing the 4 bolts I can't break the seal any suggestions,was told to look inside make sure no water build up.

I am hoping someone that had a leak come into their boat might be able to walk me through the repair,time and money

thanks for all the help
John

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

I would check the bellows first then if you dont find anything. Try and jack the trailer way up and spray water in the engine compartment and check the outside of the transom and see where it is coming out....

 

[thatguy]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

i had a leak that was really hard to find on my old mans boat. It would mysteriously take on water. No visible leaks. Bellows were checked and looked good. It turned out that the two lower bolts on the outdrive were rotted out. They were allowing water to seep in between the outdrive and the transom. It was hard to diagnose. Look at that aswell when you have a chance.

Tom

 

[chiefalen]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

Put plug in

Fill bilge with a hose

Stand on the outside of the boat till you see the leak

Shut off water

Pull plug.

Fix leak.

 

[Bondo]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

I imagine I will have to remove my outdrive upper and lower,my first guess is maybe a leak in the boats that attach?so my question is where do I begin?there are 6 bolts to remove is there anything else I need to disconnect?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard...

Up in the Adults Only thread on this forum,...
You can download the factory service manual for your drive,+ motor...

It'll have All the Answers...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

probably a shift bellows or driveshaft bellows as noted above. Only thing I'll add is that 1987 Bayliners did not come with Mercruiser power. Someone has done an OMC Cobra to Mercruiser swap at some point, and how well they sealed everything when they put the transom/gimbal housing into the hull has a lot to do with a dry bilge and soundness of transom plywood.

 

[scubajohn]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

ok everyone I did the simple check with putting the plug in I filled the engine compartment 1/2 full of water and looked for leaks around the transom watched the boots attached for any water leak.Strange thing not a single leak.Can't figure this out.granted the ocean was a little choppy the day I took water on but it had to come in from somewhere.

I thought about replacing the boot's (hoses)on the outboard that attach to the transom but not seeing leaks.Lost as to what I should do next.

also still can't break the seal on the exhaust pipe to replace that seal.would I damage anything if I use a rubber mallet or a chisel?

thanks again hoping to stop this leak.

John

 

[Bondo]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

also still can't break the seal on the exhaust pipe to replace that seal.would I damage anything if I use a rubber mallet or a chisel?

Ayuh,....

Wack it with a block of Wood,... Preferably Hardwood....

 

[chiefalen]

Re: My Bayliner takes on water

Could it be that when it's running it's filling up??

Got nothing to do with the transom??

Did you first try Running with water going to the drive to see where it's leaking?

Maybe a drain plug fell out something like that??