Taken on Water

[Flinging-Arrow]

Hey, gone crazy here...

Got a 93 v6 I/O w/ merc alpha one. When boat in water, water coming in somewhere under the main shaft leading to stern/ I/O drive. Pencil size stream of water squirting up. I'm 100% certain that it is not a drain plug issue.

Started boat in driveway with hose. No water leaking into boat.

In driveway, took hose and filled bottom of boat with water. Would not start leaking until filled to bottom of engine/shaft area. I thought water was coming out of exhaust bellow. When I squeezed the exhaust below, water came out hole on port side near exhaust bellow. There is a identical hole on starboard side. No water would come out starboard side when exhaust bellow was squeezed. I belive these are exhaust/water exit holes? There is a small flat area under the ehaust bellow. Water was also running down and first led me to belive it was the exhaust bellow, but could not see any water coiming out of exhaust bellow clamp area. When started in driveway with hose, water was coming out steadaly from what I belive are exhaust/water exit holes.

The exhaust bellow clamps are tight. No cracks our dried out bellow. Boat has never seen salt water. Never kept on lake. Mostly garage kept. No water in any fluids.

Please help.... Thanks in advacne for any feedback,
Chris

 

[studlymandingo]

Taking on Water

Taking on Water

You should post this in the I/O section for a better response.

There are other bellows that require occasional replacement on a stern-drive unit. It is part of what is regular maintainence on an I/O system.​

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Taken on Water

Chris, It sounds like your driveshaft bellows may have a hole in it. That has the added advantage of wrecking the universal joints. You should pull the drive and inspect it.

BTW, if water can find it's way from the bilge to the exhaust ports, and your exhaust bellows is intact, you have another problem.

 

[Flinging-Arrow]

Re: Taken on Water

Thanks for your feedback. I do have another problem. I posted below tonight. Any comments? Again, thanks for your time...

I figured it out!!!!!!!!
93 Merc Alpha 1 w/ 4.3L. Taken on water from exhaust. Below main shaft, have small crack/hole near parting line of casting.
If outdrive is removed, can I get at it with a welder? It's right below the main shaft coming out of engine aprox 3 in before bolts to outdrive.
Is it cast iron?
How could it crack? It's 5-10 mm off the parting line.
JB Weld? I do not like being a hack, but have vaca planned in 3 weeks.

Please comment, wife is afraid to have kids in boat.......

Thanks in advacne for any feedback,
Chris