water leaking in

[maddog2]

I have water leaking in the bilge while boat is in the water. Engine is not running. I just replaced my Mercruiser 4.3LX and have checked all hoses. Water is leaking in from below the water inlet hose.....could this be a leaking bellow?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: water leaking in

Bellows, pull the drive and check for water in the boot
shift boot damaged

 

[maddog2]

Re: water leaking in

Is this an easy fix or does it require several hours of precise work? I believe that the outdrive has to be re-installed with a line-up tool or bar? Is this something I should try on my own?

 

[maddog2]

Re: water leaking in

Bellows, pull the drive and check for water in the boot
shift boot damaged

I saw water in the bellows when the boat repair center had the outdrive out when replacing the engine.
They said it was ok. I disagreed and they put the outdrive back on after the engine install. Water didn't leak into the bilge before the engine replacement. could they have damaged it from thier work, or was it likely damaged before, since I saw water in the bellows?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: water leaking in

Water in the boot is serious and no shop should dismiss it.
Simply doing the boots would not require realignment but should be checked yearly when you have the drive off for service.
remove drive, gimbal housing, R/R/ boot, about 4-5 hrs .
Most times when the boot needs replacement (5 yrs) the water inlet hose,shift boot and cable should also be changed at the same time.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: water leaking in

I would really be chewing the shop over this.
If it did not leak before they pulled the motor it should not be leaking now.
They said water in the bellows was ok? Geeze man!
They had the drive off so the bellows replacement should have been a no brainer...

 

[twostroke87]

Re: water leaking in

Go back, make them fix it for free. Then pick a new shop to go to.

 

[blg2007]

Re: water leaking in

Go back, make them fix it for free. Then pick a new shop to go to.

I agree! You have to watch some boat mechanics. They must have been wanting to change a gimble bearing and some u-joints for ya in a few weeks. If they are honest about their work than they should replace the bellows for you, cause it is possible to damage the bellows while pulling the whole drive.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: water leaking in

Get some grease into that gimbal bearing as soon as possible.

 

[maddog2]

Re: water leaking in

Get some grease into that gimbal bearing as soon as possible.

is there a fitting to grease the gimbal bearing from the outside. I thought I saw a grease fitting back there. My boat is stored about 20 miles from my home at a friends house near the lake. I will check it tomorrow.

I never should have taken my boat to DANNICHOLAS Boat,jetski, and Lawnmower service....and nail salon....(NOT KIDDING).

two guys from Veitnam working as "backyard mechanics".
I could have saved a lot of headache if I had taken her to a real professional.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: water leaking in

is there a fitting to grease the gimbal bearing from the outside. I thought I saw a grease fitting back there. My boat is stored about 20 miles from my home at a friends house near the lake. I will check it tomorrow.

I never should have taken my boat to DANNICHOLAS Boat,jetski, and Lawnmower service....and nail salon....(NOT KIDDING).

two guys from Veitnam working as "backyard mechanics".
I could have saved a lot of headache if I had taken her to a real professional.

Yes, there is a fitting. But, whether the bearing can be saved is questiobable. If you grease it up good, it may force any water out. Me, I'd probably change it & give the bill to the nail salon. That goes for the u-joints also.

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: water leaking in

Lawnmowers and boast are two differant things and those kinda of machanics usually dont work on both kinds of motors...And they are a Nail Salon...Well I dont know whos more at fault, them for lack of experiance or you for taking a boat to these guys in the 1st place for that major of a job. You would have been better off learning how to do it your self and going slower.....

In any CASE lets be clear about what bellows they said water was ok to see in it....If it was the Exhaust Bellows then yes thats fine and it fills with water when your using the boat. If it was the BIG drive bellows then it should never have water in it or your gymbal bearign would be looking liek the one that was pulled from my cruiser when I bought it. ALL rusted and frozen in place.