Outdrive Leak

[jr88fan]

I noticed yesterday that I was taking on some excess water. It looked like it was coming in around the outdrive so this morning I put some water in the bilge area and as soon as it got to the outdrive it started to leak. Please see the attached picture of where the water is leaking from. Is there a gasket that goes around the outdrive that I need to replace?

1987 Chaparral 198XL
Mercrusier Model 230 Engine
Alpha 1 Outdrive

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Outdrive Leak

How long have you owned this boat and have you checked the transom for rot? If you haven't checked your transom for rot you need to do it ASAP.

 

[jr88fan]

Re: Outdrive Leak

I have owned the boat for about 6 weeks. I took someone with me that knows boats and he looked it over and said all was solid and sound. I have had it out at least 12 times and this was the first time it appeared to be pumping excessive water out the bilge which is what made me start looking at the outdrive.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Outdrive Leak

Could be the bellows........ could be the transom

Could be anything so....... proper investigation is needed

Depending on how handy your are .......you or a mechanic is going to need to take that apart.

 

[jr88fan]

Re: Outdrive Leak

Sorry for my ignorance! So the bellows is where the U-joint and gimble bearing will be? I thihk I can manage to take the outdrive off but not really sure what to look for after that. I guess I need to read more of these forums to learn more about this.

So if I am going to take it all apart should I go ahead and order parts I need to put it all back together if it is the bellows? Should I replace the gimble bearing and U-joint while I have it apart? I was planning on doing that anyway next year before the boating season starts. If I have transom rot I am guessing I have a ton of work ahead of me as I have seen some restoration projects that have been posted on here and YouTube and that looks pretty challenging!

Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Outdrive Leak

Sorry for my ignorance! So the bellows is where the U-joint and gimble bearing will be? I thihk I can manage to take the outdrive off but not really sure what to look for after that. I guess I need to read more of these forums to learn more about this.

So if I am going to take it all apart should I go ahead and order parts I need to put it all back together if it is the bellows? Should I replace the gimble bearing and U-joint while I have it apart? I was planning on doing that anyway next year before the boating season starts. If I have transom rot I am guessing I have a ton of work ahead of me as I have seen some restoration projects that have been posted on here and YouTube and that looks pretty challenging!

Thanks!

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... To pull the drive, 'n Inspect the bellows, gimbel bearin', 'n u-joints takes an $8.00 gasket set,...

Don't buy parts ya may not need...

From yer testin',.... I'm thinkin' you got a rotten transom....

The water would have to be up to the crankshaft center-line for water to leak Outa the bellows...

'hence, you've got a rotten transom...

 

[bgc]

Re: Outdrive Leak

Welcome,
We see many boats that show the first signs of rot, to the owners by lettin water pass the mounting bolts into the bilge......could also be its loose. Check the condition of the transom first.

 

[jr88fan]

Re: Outdrive Leak

So I was taking a look at this and noticed that the round gray bolts (?) just above the point on the arrow in the picture are loose. Are these bolts or just covers for some other type of connection? The one on the right is pretty loose and one on the left is much tighter. I just want to be sure I take care of all the obvious simple things before I dive into the bigger issues. Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive Leak

A bellows is not going to leak along the bottom of the transom shield, rotten transom is the usual cause for that leak.

 

[jr88fan]

Re: Outdrive Leak

I read through the forum for "Transom Checks" and tried all the various tests with the exception of drilling a core. I stood on the top of the outdrive and bounced (I weigh 230 pounds) with no flex in the transom. Also checked with a small hammer and could not detect any "dull" sounds either side of the outdrive or top and bottom. It seems pretty solid except for the two anode bolts at the bottom. I removed the two caps and the bolts have some wiggle in them. Is this normal? How do you tighten these bolts.

 

[bgc]

Re: Outdrive Leak

OK, Is there a "flange" around the drain hole under the outdrive? If so remove it, take a pick or screwdriver and scrape some wood out of the area between the fiberglass. This wood should be firm and light colored, if dark/soft/wet, its time to drill a core.
To drill a core get some 5 minute epoxy, cordless drill and 1/4" drill bit (.250). From the inside of the boat, either port or starboard, drill a hole 1" deep next to the lower portion of the outdrive next to one of the bolts in question. If the wood is dark/soft/wet, move up 4"-5" and drill another core, this will tell you the extent of the rot. Rot will start at the bottom and works its way up.
If the wood is good, the bolt/stud needs to be removed and coated with 4200 or 5200 sealant and reinstalled. There is a nut on the inside holding the stud in place. DO NOT damage the threads on the outside, ya want this for your zincs....... post pics.


BTW, we are encouraging you to do a thorough inspection for safety reasons. Many of us have seen the results of transom failure. Its not something you want to experience...ever

 

[jr88fan]

Re: Outdrive Leak

The wood around the drain hole flange was good as was the hole that I drilled for the transponder for the depth finder I installed a few weeks ago. I read through a few things and someone recommended that I plug the old holes with 5200 and drill a new hole and seal that hole with 4200 which I did.

I understand the issues with transom rot also as I have read stories of peoples boats sinking because of issues like that. Believe me I do not want anything like that to happen and I plan on doing some work on the boat in October to conduct a thorough inspection of the transom along with some other items that need to be done like a soft spot in the floor by where people get in the boat after swimming or tubing.

I did tighten the nut on the inside as it was very loose and did my water test again and there are no leaks now. I plan on taking it the lake tomorrow and will keep a close eye on the water in the bilge and also the water being pumped out of the bilge. Now that I know I will remove the bolts and coat them this week just to be sure I do not have any issues and also to seal everything back up so I do not get water in the transom and create rot where there does not seem to be any at the moment.

 

[bgc]

Re: Outdrive Leak

Great news!
Keep an eye out for sales on 5200, never hurts to have some layin round.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Outdrive Leak

I read through the forum for "Transom Checks" and tried all the various tests with the exception of drilling a core. I stood on the top of the outdrive and bounced (I weigh 230 pounds) with no flex in the transom. Also checked with a small hammer and could not detect any "dull" sounds either side of the outdrive or top and bottom. It seems pretty solid except for the two anode bolts at the bottom. I removed the two caps and the bolts have some wiggle in them. Is this normal? How do you tighten these bolts.

Well don't stop there, go ahead and core sample it. Doing the core sample is the best way to find out for sure.

Even if your wood is just wet and not rotten it still needs to be replaced because it'll never dry out and only get worse. You'll also need to check the aft portion of your below deck structure for wetness and rot.