Water Leak Question

[Hvymtl]

I have a 1999 Glastron 249 with SX outdrive and small Chevy V8. Where can water leak into the bilge when the boat is just sitting in the water (not running). There are no hull or transom cracks. Boat took on about 1.5 inches of water being towed about a mile to get in on the trailer. Owner said "a" bellows would need to be replaced. A bad exhaust bellows wouldn't cause this?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water Leak Question

Ayuh,.... I'd guess they're talkin' 'bout the Drive shaft Bellows....

 

[Don S]

Re: Water Leak Question

If the bellows was leaking, it would also leak just setting in the water. If it didn't leak then, but leaks when being towed, I would sure be looking at the transom itself for rot. When being towed, the drive would put resistance on the front of the drive and try to pull it away from the transom. Pull the drive off to check the bellows for sure, but also check the transom, it will cause other problems as well.

 

[Hvymtl]

Re: Water Leak Question

Could / would salt water in the bilge damage internal engine components? The starter is extremely corroded (boat was bought not running ). I suspect the boat sat in the water for a while with the bilge leaking before it was put on the lift.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Water Leak Question

You would need the salt water to get inside the engine in order to do internal damage . . .

just sitting in the bilge, it will tend to make outer components rust, but the insides should be fine, unless there is more to the story.

 

[Hvymtl]

Re: Water Leak Question

Owners said they changed out the oil pan..but from what I've read that seems to be a common occurrance on a saltwater boat??

 

[Aq130c-Mike]

Re: Water Leak Question

I doubt it is the bellows. My father owned my boat before he gave it to me and the exhaust bellow was ripped for over 10 years. There was even a hole in the drive shaft bellow. I had them repaired when I had other work done and luckily the drive shaft/coupling was not corroded...mechanic said it was good. I would bet you money that the water is leaking around the seal between your outdrive and the transom. My boat was not used for 6+ years and when I put it in the lake, water was pouring in around the outdrive/engine connection to the transom. Luckily we saw the water before we took the boat off the trailer. A boat shop tightened all the transom bolt...they had to lift the engine some to balance the weight to get a good seal. It fixed the huge water problem, but I still have some residual water that leaks around the same seal. I used cauking around on the outside of the boat where the outdrive attaches to the transom about 8 years ago and it reduced the water flow even more, but some still leaks through. I don't worry about it too much. At the end of a boating day I run the bildge for 30 seconds or so to get rid of it. I would worry more if I stored my boat in slip and left it in the water for days/weeks at a time...I would probably come check on it everyday for a while, but I suspect the transom would absorb water and swell...when it swells, it would probably seal the small leak.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Water Leak Question

The bellows can leak.
The transom rotten,can leak.
The exhaust down tube,at the bottom where it joins the transom assy.
There is an o-ring it can leak there.Running or setting.