outdrive taking in water

[JV1964]

I have an alpha one outdrive and it is taking in water from a small hole near the exhaust vent. It is a round hole about 1 inch in diameter. It has one on each side of the exhaust vent. I put my finger in the hole on the left side and I can feel some metal in there, on the other side though when i put my finger in it i feel nothing. I used a garden hose and forced water thru the hole and I can see water getting into the bilge area. Is this a big money fix or something i can do myself. Thank you

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive taking in water

That's an exhaust relief, and it should actually have water coming out of it when running on muffs or in the water. It's hooked to the exhaust pipe coming from the engine.<br />If water is getting into the bilge, then the bottom of the exhaust pipe may have corroded thru or cracked.<br />The pipe is only held on with 4 bolts and fairly easy to change. Once you get the engine out of the way.

 

[JV1964]

Re: outdrive taking in water

OK. I guess my next question is this. Since it has 2 of those exhaust holes, can the one that is bad be plugged up and run on just one. At least for a couple of months until I pony up the money to have the engine pulled. I can't believe the engine has to be pulled for a small piece of pipe. Or if not plugged up can a hose be inserted in the hole and run just above the water line to prevent water from getting in the boat? Thanks for the help.

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive taking in water

No, that is not how they work, and they aren't your problem and they aren't just a small piece of pipe, it's the exhaust tube that connects your exhaust and transom shield together. <br />You just don't understand how it's put together and how it works.

 

[JV1964]

Re: outdrive taking in water

Well you got me there Don S. I don't know how they work, that is why I asked. I didn't know that it was that important. I thought the main exhaust was the bigger one in the center, not the small holes on either side of the oblong hole which I am pretty sure is the main exhaust. What kind of cost am I looking at to replace it done by a marina?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: outdrive taking in water

First, we still dont know exactly what is leaking.might be the outer transom,corroded exaust mounting flange on transom,corroded "Y" pipe flange , or the "Y" pipe itself.

 

[JV1964]

Re: outdrive taking in water

I wish i could give you guys more details on it but all I can say is that its a hole on the outdrive. two matching holes one on each side of the main exhaust. When i put my finger in the hole on the left(standing behind the boat) I can feel something in it and this one doesn't leak. On the other hole i can't feel anything and this is the one that seems to leak water into the boat. Sorry guys but that is as much as I can explain. I managed to get my hand in behind the engine compartment and I can feel a small pipe that seems to be in the same spot as the hole on the outside of the outdrive. This pipe feels to me as though it is rusted pretty badly.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: outdrive taking in water

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/BtDoctur/87f8c3ab.jpg <br /> http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/BtDoctur/2e0845ed.jpg

 

[JV1964]

Re: outdrive taking in water

Ok today I started her up again and I noticed that running on muffs she spits water out of that hole. I was told that this is normal while on muffs or running in the water, from the exhaust relief. So I guess that hole is the exhaust relief. Is it true that the engine has to be pulled to reach this pipe. And if so what kind of cost am I looking at for this type of repair.

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive taking in water

To remove the exhaust pipe, the engine has to be removed. Not knowing acess to anything on your boat, or what engine, what type boat, what year, salt or fresh water, we know nothing about this except it leaks and not why or what exactly. And you want to know how much it will cost to fix?<br />Somewhere between $1 and $10,000 would be close.

 

[JV1964]

Re: outdrive taking in water

OK it is a 1983 formula thunderbird. It is a mercruiser 350 engine. It has been used in both fresh and saltwater. The hole from which it leaks,( I know this because I used a garden h ose and shot water up that hole and saw the water getting into the bilge area.) spits water out while running on muffs. From what you told me earlier Don S it is normal for the exhaust relief to spit water out while on muffs or in the water. So I would venture to say that it is what you told me earlier..exhaust relief. I can reach back in there from within the engine compartment and feel the drain plug hole but I can't seem to feel the pipe.

 

[JV1964]

Re: outdrive taking in water

OK lets hope this will help out.. I finally was able to reach in back there and feel the pipe..It is without a doubt rusted and that is the source of the water coming into the bilge area.. It also connects to the exhaust. And you are right Don S, there is no possible way to replace it without pulling the engine.. Could you please give me a ball park figure on what kind of money I am looking at here..As I posted before it is a 1983 formula thunderbird sportsman. 23 FT. A 350 mercruiser with an alpha one drive. I realize its hard to put a price on it without actually looking at it and knowing how much work is involved, I would just like a ballpark..Thanks for all the help.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: outdrive taking in water

considering its aluminum ,sounds like corrosion R/R eng. 400-600<br />new Y pipe 400 if needed<br />transom housing 1100 if needed<br />83 transom rot? do a "sounding "test <br />20-30 hours labor + materials.

 

[JV1964]

Re: outdrive taking in water

wow that sounds like a lot of money...if i have to spend that much i will just rip it all out seal it up and slap a transom plate and an outboard..then I don't have to worry about this again...thanks guys...

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive taking in water

Originally posted by JV1964:<br /> wow that sounds like a lot of money...if i have to spend that much i will just rip it all out seal it up and slap a transom plate and an outboard..then I don't have to worry about this again...thanks guys...

And that kind of response is what every boater that doesn't have a clue says, as if there was truth in that process.<br />The transom for an I/O is not built strong enough for an outboard. They are supported in different ways. Outboard aren't cheap anymore. Unless you go buy some antique piece of junk and hang on some half built POS transom or some OB bracket improperly installed then expect it all to work.<br /><br />If you do the job right, it will cost a whole lot more than fixing it right to begin with.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: outdrive taking in water

This is a pretty common scenario it seems. We all want to do the boating thing affordably, and boats trick us 'cause the fiberglass is shiny and good looking...<br />But the bitter truth is there's only 3 ways to boat.<br /><br />1. Do a lot of work yourself, read, learn, try, fail, retry<br /><br />2. Spend a whole lot of money on maintenance and repairs and say your prayers that the people taking it from you are doing things the right way... it's about a 50/50 chance they will industry wide<br /><br />3. Buy new boats, and sell them when the warranty is up