I need help with transom leak

[wryork25]

I have a mercruiser 350 and a alpha one gen 2 out drive. There is a steady stream of water flow down the back of the transon that appears to be coming in near the exuast. When the motor is running the water does not stop but there is air mixed with it. The bellows have been inspected and there is no signs of cracks or damage that could allow this much water in. There is some corrosion around the outside edge of the gimbal housing near the portside exuast relief port. My boat is in a boatel for now but I am putting it on a trailer in the next week or two. I will then be able fill the transom with water and see where it comes from. The bildge pump can keep up withit but if it where to fail I better get in fast. I dont feel confortable going out like this.
Can anyone think of any suggestions to help me localize the problems? If it is the exuast pipe or the gimbal housing does anyone know a good local place to find a used one. I also could use some help with specialty tools for merc. I would be willing to rent them or even buy them for a resonable used price. A good mechanic recommendation would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance Everyone.

[REEL THANG]

WHere are you located

[wryork25]

I am in windsor va, right near suffolk va

[Lone Ranger]

Don't fill the Bildge with Water!!!!If you put enough water in there it will run right into the Gimbel Bearing and Bellows Hose!!! Boat year???? Check the Transom Bolts[have to from inside] to see if they are loose.They may be corroded and have lost there holding power or broken.Could also be the little Bellows hose that goes around the lower shift cable.Also there may be[I know on the Model 1's and Alpha 1's] a Water inlet pipe that goes thru the Transom for cooling.Then the Exhaust Y-Pipe and connecting hoses.That about covers everything I can think of at the moment it could be. [Mike]

[wryork25]

the boat is a 1996, I really dont think that it is the shift cable bellow, due to the bubbles in the water coming down the transom when the boat is running. I really think that it is the joint where the y pipe meets the gimbal housing. there is no water coming out from above that point, and there is really nothing bellow that. do u know if the y pipe can be taken out without removing the engine? I amreally hoping it is not the gimbal housing!

[hippie]

Yes you can take the "Y' pipe out without removing the entire engine. If I remember right the Y pipe goes down to a rubber flap. Remove the clamp and remove or loosen the other clamps on each side of the Y pipe and wiggle it out. Not hard at all but you may need a straight slot screw driver (a dull one) to help the rubber break loose, just don't put any holes in the rubbers. Good Luck

[Butcher]

Boy this sounds familiar, I went through the same thing last year and I went through everything possible and mine turned out to be a hole corroded through the transom assembly down low and was not visable until the gimble housing and ring was removed.
DO NOT fill the boat with water, I have seen trailers collapse, axles break and tires blow out. Sounds like you have it narrowed down to the Y pipe, you could try to remove the exhaust bellows and seal off the boat side with a piece of rubber and a hose clamp and launch the boat and see what happens. It will be a lot of work but narow it down, the y pipe is no picnic either.

Another place I found problems is the fitting on the bottom of the housing where the trim hoses connect. Many of these are plastic and can have a crack in it, or be loose from the housing, it is held in place by 2 studs and has a gasket between this fitting and the housing. The hole in the housing where this bolts is about 1" x 2" to allow the inside hoses to connect to the other side of the fitting, so it can produce quite a leak, plus it would be low like you described.

Another common place are the bolts like Lone Ranger described, but especially the two at the very bottom of the housing where the two bullet shaped Zincs srew on to, these two bolts are aluminum and corrode pretty bad and is the cause of leaks as well. Good luck andlet us know how you make out.

Thanks,
Butch

[Lone Ranger]

Ditto on what Butcher said.Sounds like the "Air Bubbles" are the clue only when running.I'd be getting a strong Flashlight and Mirror,Boat on the Trailer,Flush Muffs on,everything out of the way that you can.Crank Her up and start lookin' hard....BUT.....WATCH OUT FOR BELTS AND PULLIES!!!!!! BE CAREFUL!!!!! [Mike]

[wryork25]

Mike,
that is the thing, when I have it out of the water with the muffs on I do not get any water in the boat. I do not see any signs of water when the muffs are on. I have inspected completely with muffs on and engine running, no water. When I the boat is in the water is the only time it leaks, and it leaks with the engine off also. That tells me that the water is coming in threw the relief ports and I have a compromised gasket where the gimbal housing and exaust meet. Any suggestions on how I can inspect this without taking the motor and out drive completely out?

[Lone Ranger]

Mike,
that is the thing, when I have it out of the water with the muffs on I do not get any water in the boat. I do not see any signs of water when the muffs are on. I have inspected completely with muffs on and engine running, no water. When I the boat is in the water is the only time it leaks, and it leaks with the engine off also. That tells me that the water is coming in threw the relief ports and I have a compromised gasket where the gimbal housing and exaust meet. Any suggestions on how I can inspect this without taking the motor and out drive completely out?

Only thing I can tell ya' is to do what I mentioned "In the Water" then. Sounds like to me,You may have some Major disassembly ahead of you.Like I said a Mirror and a real Good Flashlight.Keep us posted! Shame you are so far away. [Mike]

[Lone Ranger]

This might help ya'!!


http://www.sterndrives.com/mercruiserhelp.html



http://www.mercstuff.com/



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeFw2_jjAIA

[Butcher]

Its going to be a lot of trial and error as well as a few cold ones. I went as far as adding a second pump and a third battery while I trouble shooted mine for a good month or so, till I finally got tired and pulled it apart.

One thing I did if youhave access to a ramp thats not busy, I put a small buddy of mine in the boat, slowly backed it in until it started to leak and then marked it, at least that will give you the height of where it is which may help narrow it down.

Good luck,
Butch

[REEL THANG]

Heres a Mechanics number in Prince George Va that may be able to help you get it fixed...804691 3415 Phil Cooper

[wryork25]

thanks for the mech #. I think that I am going to have a go at it my self though. Does anyone have a engine alignment tool for a mercruiser that I could borrow or buy cheap. I am in the hampton roads area?

[Bryansfish]

Had an issue something like yours. When I pulled the LU out this past summer to give it a quick check I fixed the pinched speedometer hose. First trip out I noticed it was taking on water. As my Buddy drove I found the leak. The nipple for the speedometer hose inside the boat was off.