water coming in through transom assembly

[Cptkid570]

Hi everyone,

I have a small water leak coming in from my transom assembly. If you are looking at it from the inside of the boat, it?s just above and to the right of the drive shaft and to the right of the water inlet hose. There is already a hole there, but I know water isn?t supposed to be coming into it. Attached is a photo of it -- I have the big silver bolt sticking in it so that you can see where it is.

Where would the water be coming in from? Is anyone familiar with this hole?

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

Oh - Mercruiser Alpha One... 1985

 

[Don S]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

There shouldn't be any holes in that area that I am aware of. Perhaps a previous owner drilled if for some wires, and the plug came out?????
Really hard to tell exactly from your picture due to the steep angle.

 

[JimKaz]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

When travelling or sitting?
When my '87 Alpha 1 was doing the same, it was from a torn drive shaft bellows. The hole, so I was told, is a breather hole, but the torn bellows filled with water and entered the boat through that hole.
Have you raised the drive and thouroughly inspected the bellows? How long since the last replacement? Sounds like it's time for a thorough inspection and probably replacement of all the bellows.

 

[Don S]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

The hole, so I was told, is a breather hole, but the torn bellows filled with water and entered the boat through that hole.

That hole is UNDER the drive shaft. The hole he is showing is outside and above the bellows area.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

Actually that hole is ABOVE the driveshaft. Here's a pic:

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

And if you have water coming in from there....

You must have a lot of water in the driveshaft bellows. (Why it hasn't come out from around the driveshaft is anyone's guess). You need to pull your outdrive and see what's happening.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

It's the same hole that Fishermark pointed to in his photo.. I checked and my other boat with an alpha one has a hole there too.. If it's the driveshaft bellow, then why wouldn't water be coming in around the driveshaft instead of coming in above the driveshaft... would the gimbal bearing keep water out? (yes, it's been a while since it has been changed)

 

[Bondo]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

Ayuh,.....

Water takes the path of Least Resistence.....

Not that it Matters,..... You've Still got to Pull the drive,+ See....

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

I figured that I would... I just don't want to have to pull the drive! The bolt is doing a good job of keeping the water out! I'll just leave it! haha - Just kidding..

 

[Bondo]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

I just don't want to have to pull the drive!

It's only 8 Nuts,+ a $7.00 Gasket,..??........

How Simple,+ Easy do you Want it,..??

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

It's only 8 Nuts,+ a $7.00 Gasket,..??........

How Simple,+ Easy do you Want it,..??

Well, actually if it's been leaking long and he's in saltwater it might be quite an adventure to get the outdrive off. Necessary? Absolutely. Easy? Well, it SHOULD be... Let us know what you find.

Seriously, as Bondo mentions, the drive is very easy to remove and is something you should do on an annual basis anyway just to check things out.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

The reason why I didn't want to remove it is because I've removed and reinstalled the drive about 3 times in the past year... no problem doing it.. I don't enjoy having to put it back on because I'm usually doing it by myself. But, it shouldn't be a problem.

Will I need that tool (looks like salad tongs) to put the driveshaft bellow on?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

If I'm not mistaken, that tool is to install the exhaust bellows.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: water coming in through transom assembly

Very good, so I won't need a special tool to install the driveshaft bellow... makes my job seem easier... I read the Mercruiser manual and it didn't say anything about special tools either..