Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

[JT09]

I have a 1999 Mercruiser 350 with a Bravo III drive. I pulled the motor to repair an oil leak but have a question about the Y pipe to Gimbal Housing seal.

My Mercruiser Service Manual indicates that only an o-ring is required between the Y pipe and housing.

When I took the Y pipe off there is a ton of sealant around the o-ring. Is this something extra the boat manufacturer did to help ensure a good seal or is this recommended? What if any sealant should I use?

Attached is a pic of the gimbal housing showing the white colored sealant.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

Howdy,

When I installed mine, I did use a small amount of silicone sealant in the groove where the O-ring is.

It may not be required. But if it leaks you have to pull the engine.

Regards,


Rick

 

[rebars1]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

Do a search in this forum for "installing Y-Pipes" to see some previous responses. I was informed that the O-rings work well when the surfaces are smooth and not pitted, but some sealant is a good idea as well if there is any doubt. Silicon is not recommended below the water line. I think I used Perfect Seal on mine along with the O ring, after cleaning the surfaces as much as possible.

Sorry, I can't figure out how to do a "hot link" for you.

 

[JT09]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

Thanks for the replies. The "stuff" that is on there now is very pliable. I'll clean it up and see how the mating surfaces look.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

Thanks for the replies. The "stuff" that is on there now is very pliable. I'll clean it up and see how the mating surfaces look.

Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I saw some sort of silicone sealant on mine when it came apart. I bought it from the original owner who bought it new.... and when we pulled it apart to remove it from his boat, it was the first time it had ever been off....


Do make sure that you get the little channel clean that the new o-ring goes into. It's painted so try to use something that will not scratch all the paint off to bare aluminum. I used a thin film of Permatex blue silicone on mine.

Check your shutters over closely too, now is a good time to replace them if they're cooked...


Cheers,


Rick

 

[JT09]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

HT, did check the flappers and they look good.

Rebars thanks found your old post here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=48742&highlight=installing+Y-Pipes

Both surfaces are are in good shape, some paint chiped in a few locations but no corrosion or pitting of any kind. The old sealant came off easy with laquer thinner. Installed the O-Ring using some bellows adhesive to hold it in place.

Seems everyone recommends something different. Called Merc "Help Line" and he said he would use perfect seal.

Still not sure what the heck I'm going to use, if anything. I'm kind of leaning towards the bellows adhesive.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

I use 5200 works great.

 

[Zackman]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

I'd stay way from the 5200 could be very difficult to remove sometime in the future. Why not just use the o-ring, that's what is was designed to do?​

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

Just a little security with some sealer in case of pitting, wont hurt.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Y pipe to Gimbal Housing Seal

it just came off easy! (I'm installing a Volvo) never leaked a drop! and made a huge differece, you can tell because there was much less water in bilge.