Water getting in the bilge

[zul]

When I bought this boat, the bilge area always stayed dry. This summer, the lower unit took a hard strike and I've replaced it. Now, I'm noticing more and more water getting into the bilge. The boat starts and runs great. Yaaa for that.

Problem #1: I am getting too many metal shavings on the drain plug. And a bit of water is getting into the gear oil. So, I'll be pulling the outdrive this week (or next) to do a pressure test.

Problem #2: Where is the water coming in? Are there any ways to test/find the leak? Things to check? It's about a gallon per hour. So, ya: I'm real concerned. That's just too much water. The bellows and everything I can see on the outdrive looks fine, tight, not mis-aligned ... ?!?

 

[Bt Doctur]

A hard strike could have damaged the transom seal see if you can pass a business card between the housing and transom.

 

[alldodge]

the lower unit took a hard strike and I've replaced it. Now, I'm noticing more and more water getting into the bilge.

Problem #1: I am getting too many metal shavings on the drain plug. And a bit of water is getting into the gear oil. So, I'll be pulling the outdrive this week (or next) to do a pressure test.

Your drive took a hard strike and you replaced it, but it now has water in the bilge, metal shavings on the drain plug, and water in the gear lube.

Did you replace the drive with a new or used one?
If it was new there should be no water getting into the oil.

If your getting metal shavings in the drive drain plug you have a drive that needs some work

 

[zul]

The lower unit was replaced with a new one.

 

[alldodge]

Which plug has metal shavings on it?

 

[zul]

Transom seal looks real tight, like there's been no movement or space. Hmm?!?

I'll post up when I've gotten the outdrive off and pressure tested.

Thx.

 

[zul]

The lower plug is getting the shavings. Upper plug is clean-normal.

Last trip was about 100 miles and around 25 engine hours. The gear lube was brand new, new plug seals and I was really confident. Only a little bit of milk showed in the very bottom of the resiviour. But ya, water in the lube, none the less.

Pressure test next week.

 

[redneck joe]

And new oem or a used or sei?

 

[alldodge]

The lower plug is getting the shavings. Upper plug is clean-normal.

Last trip was about 100 miles and around 25 engine hours. The gear lube was brand new, new plug seals and I was really confident. Only a little bit of milk showed in the very bottom of the resiviour. But ya, water in the lube, none the less.

Pressure test next week.

In that case, if your lower is new (not used or rebuilt) then you also had damage in the upper section. If upper has damage causing the metal, then your new lower will probably have issues.

If the lower was used, then its unknown if the issue is in the upper or lower, but both may have issues now

 

[zul]

I just have to think (optimistic thinking, I know) if there is damage to the upper there would be vibrations, rattles or noises going on. Boat runs smooth at all speeds for 80 hours since the install (brand new sei lower).

The only thing I find now on inspection is the upper seal looks rotten so I'll replace that next week.

 

[alldodge]

In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti Amen

 

[tpenfield]

In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti Amen

Perhaps it is time for prayer

I'm not thinking that the metal shavings and the water in the bilge are related, in case the OP or anyone else does. Two separate issues IMO.

Maybe best to flush the entire drive, refill and see if you get any more metal after 10-20 hours of operation.

As for the water . . . the best way to find it is to look. You mobile device camera can help see where your eyes cannot reach. Odds are that the impact on the lower unit caused the leak, but does not speak to where and why.

See if you can find the location of the leak, post some pictures if you can.

 

[Grub54891]

With a new drive, you do get a few shavings as they wear in. Did you follow the break in procedure for the new drive?

 

[zul]

Pulled the outdrive: Water in the u-joint bellow. Crud in the water passage. Everything else looks ok. I believe that the u-joint bellow is in good shape. Is it possible that the water is coming into the bellow from elsewhere?

Pressure test: Went from 8.5lbs to 8.0lbs in 12 hours. I've got a spray bottle with soap/water and cannot find the leak. No bubbles. Any ideas where I should spray to find bubbles?? Before the pressure test I found a loose bolt holding the rear anode. So I've tightened that.

Are these problems related or separate issues? Perhaps I should stick to kayaking.

 

[Grub54891]

1/2 pound in 12 hours, not an issue. It could be temperature change, or just a tiny leak at the tester itself. The bellow may look ok, but you have to really get in there and poke around with you fingers, stretch it where you can, and look from the outside while poking around. Any weather checking should be a warning that they are going bad. A loose clamp could leak, or if the large square o-ring was compromised.

 

[zul]

Good News: Outdrive is holding air for 24 hours on the pressure test. But that's the only good news for now......

U-joints have a bit of rust but feel smooth and buttery. Will add grease.
The Gimbal has a bit of rust as well but moves/spins ok. Will add grease.

Looking past the Gimbal bearing, behind the next metal ring and oil seal -- I can see a gap looking (in front of) where the yolk sits into the female splines.

Can someone list the part names (behind the Gimbal) for me?

And ... should there be a space or gap in that section??

 

[zul]

Wire skewer points out the 'gap' ...

 

[alldodge]

That is item 8 in the link below it is a seal (26-88416) and just helps keep grease from the gimbal from getting into the boat. Once removed many don't replace. That said there is a gap

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30858/1017/30

 

[zul]

So I've found a mechanic that I am hopeful about. $75/hr and he'll let me buy parts. Seems like an honest dude and he'll likely let me do the work I can while he assists.

The mystery remains:
1. Lots of water in the bilge
2. Water in the gear lube, even though the outdrive is holding air on pressure test for several days.
3. Water in the u joint bellows.

We will replace the bellows, gimbal, and outdrive seal at the bell housing but I am still concerned that all of these repairs may not fix the water coming in problems.
The u joints have a bit of light rust and I thought they'd be ok but after reading Dons posts, we'll probably do those as well.

So before I meet with mechanic dude, I plan to put the boat plug IN, raise the boat up front as much as I can and fill the bilge with water. The bilge in my Sea Ray is quite large. As I fill with water, is there a certain fill-to and STOP point where I won't get water into vital engine areas? The transom plate/mount area looks real tight and solid. I would like to rule out a transom seal if at all possible.

The u joint bellows look real good, inside and out. Like new, really. Clamps also secure and tight. And I've had several days to poke, push, pull and put lights on all the bellows and water hose.

The mystery continues..............

 

[alldodge]

Don't put water in the bilge, go to the ramp and dip it in and have a look on the trailer. Putting water in the bilge puts a lot of weight on the trailer.

Water in the gear lube means your leaking, The more air that is put in the drive the more the seals close. Try a 4 Hg vacuum