Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

[sidthekid]

I just recently had the following service performed on my boat: u-joint bellows replaced, shift cable and shift cable bellows replaced, gimbal bearing replaced, trim and tilt sensors replaced and the outdrive lower end serviced. After taking delivery I now have a small trickle of water running from somewhere in the transom shield into the bilge. With the use of a mirror I can see the trickle running straight down on the drain plug. The service guys cannot find the source of the leak. They now want to remove the motor and set the boat back in the water in order to better see where the leak is coming from.

Here's the problem, if they find the leak and it's a result of something they did wrong the will cover all costs. However if it unrelated to anything they did I have to bear the costs. I believe this is fair. The problem is my budget is not ready at this point for those kinds of costs. Besides what they worked on, where else could the water be coming from within the shield? Does anyone have a better suggestion as to how to locate the leak besides pulling the motor out? The motor is a 5.0. Thanks...

 

[ne7800]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

raise your out drive up all the way then prop the front of trailer up till the out drive just touches the ground fill bildge with water go to the back and look for leaks

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

first, pull the drive and check the bellows for water
next ,inspect the shift boot and clamp
Then inspect where the trim wires pass thru the housing
Last, use a hose and squirt water all around outside while looking inside

 

[BigBK]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

i would also submerse the out drive but not all the way up to the bellos area and run the engine. it may be the exhaust Y pipe O ring. if so the water leaking in will be warn or hot

 

[Knotenuftime]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

Just went through the same thing with my 91 wellcraft, turns out the leak was in my exhaust bellow. Trust me the leak will get worse. the shop is removing the engine to get to it, however i read in some of the mercruiser forums that removal of engine isnt necessary. Good luck

 

[dubs283]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

fill bildge with water go to the back and look for leaks

probably not a good idea to fill your bilge with water to look for leaks. boats are designed to keep water out of the bilge. if the starter or alternator gets wet, it is only a matter of time before they quit working.

best bet is to get the boat in the water and look carefully to see exactly where the leak is. can be a pain depending on the setup but it is the safest way, and the most sure

if the boat wasn't leaking like this before the work was performed it is almost sure to be the fault of the service work.

one other possibility for leaking not mentioned above is the y-pipe o-ring located at the bottom of the y-pipe where it attaches to the transom exhaust outlet

 

[JustJason]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

try lightly sprinkleing/blowing some talc/baby powder out of your hand to coat the whole inisde of the transom plate the best you can. The leak will make a "telltale" streak in the powder that will help pinpoint the leak.
If your already looking with mirrors i'm not saying this trick will definitely find your leak, but it helps you get lucky sometimes.

Did it leak before you brought it in??? be honest!!

 

[sidthekid]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

It did not leak before I brought it in...

 

[Don S]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

It did not leak before I brought it in...

Maybe not, but you still have to find the leak before you can know who, what, why, and when the problem started. There just isn't a one answer fits all for this type question.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Trying to locate leak in a 1991 Alpha One

Then pull the drive first, sometimes the large rubber ring gets dislodged during installation and the water enters the boot and out the lower weep hole into the boat
Shift boot has been known to pop off if overtightened. clearly visable