Water leaking into boat from exhaust, but not running?

[smiles16]

Before winterizing my 1986 Sea Sprite Mark 1 bow rider today (equipped with mid 80's Mercruiser 120 and alpha one), I decided to dip her in the river one last time. Well, I finally spotted the location of the water intrusion problem I have been having.

With the engine off, I noticed water dripping down from underneath the gimbal housing. Upon further inspection, the water looks to be coming from the top of the exhaust exit. It is NOT coming out of the u-joint bellows (thankfully).

What could this be? The leak does not seem to be prevalent while the engine is running.

My first thought was exhaust bellows, but I was told they will not cause a leak even if torn.

Any help would be appreciated.

P.S I owe a lot of my success with my boat to you guys. I never touched a sterndrive until this boat, and with your help I had it on the water before the season ended.

 

[Bt Doctur]

If you removed the drive and found the bellows dry then suspect a rotted exaust pipe If you did not remove the drive it still could be a bellows issue. There are 2 vent holes in the housing, 12:00 and 6:00

 

[Bt Doctur]

 

[smiles16]

I am pulling the drive this coming weekend, so I'll know then.

I didn't know about that bottom hole, but I have a good bet it was coming from the trim wire hole as the insulation is completely gone from the sender wires.

i am assuming the top hole is not covered by a bellow, so is the bottom hole covered or not?

Also, When I replace the bellows in the down season I am eliminating my trim sender and switch. How should I plug the trim hole?

 

[Bt Doctur]

The rubber bellow is installed on a flange, the vent holes are below the flange area. If it was from the trim wires it would be small drop of water, not a stream.plus the trim wires are up high on the housing

Also, When I replace the bellows in the down season I am eliminating my trim sender and switch. How should I plug the trim hole?
Remove the rubber insert and the wires, cut the wire off of the plastic section molded to the wire. insert into rubber grommet with 4200, then get a flat circular piece of SS and cut /file/ grind to fit the grommet exactly
Install with 4200, install clamp and bolts

 

[smiles16]

To clarify, the leak is a drip luckily and not a stream. I ran for hours and only had to cycle the bilge pump once.

To clarify, you said the vent holes are "below the flange area." Does this mean the holes are inside the bellows or outside?

If they are outside of the bellows, what is supposed to keep them from leaking?

 

[Bt Doctur]

They are inside the bellows

 

[smiles16]

Ok so it looks like every common possibility is covered. If it is bellows or the trim hole, it will be corrected anyway when I do the transom refresh. IF its exhaust, Ill probably break out the JB Weld.

Thanks guys

 

[smiles16]

okay guys, I pulled the outdrive this weekend and found where the water was coming in. It looks to have been coming in from the shift cable bellow or just a bad bell housing seal. I found just a smidge of water in the ujoint bellows (no rust on the yoke thankfully) but most of the water was pooled up around the shift linkage.

Just wanted to update in case it helps anyone else. I am going to replace everything over the spring (all bellows, shift cable, gimbal, water tube, etc.), so the problem should remedy itself.

 

[JoLin]

Thanks for closing the loop. Too many folks don't do that.