Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

[conway22]

I noticed I have water leaking in when the engine is either running or not. It is a lot of water; enough to fill the engine area in less than a half hour or so. I don't know much about marine engines, but where the shaft comes out of the engine thru to the drive it is just a constant flow all around the shaft. I did take it to a local marine shop, at first they said with the repairs that had just been done that a bellow/clamp or something minor would probably be the problem.

Was called by them today and they think the y-pipe is at fault and say the engine must be removed to repair. Could this be a possibility? Does anyone know what an average price to do this would be? When they call me back with a quote I would like to know an approx. If I have to have it done...what else should I have done as well since the engine will be out?

Glad I didn't leave it in the water over night:redface:

Conway

 

[Don S]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

Did you see the leak or just assume that's where it was from? If the water is coming in around the shaft that goes into the coupler, then either the bellows is bad, or possibly the large seal between the drive and the bellhousing is bad.
The exhaust Y can not leak there.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

I did take it to a local marine shop, at first they said with the repairs that had just been done that a bellow/clamp or something minor would probably be the problem.

Was called by them today and they think the y-pipe is at fault

Ayuh,....

Is this the Same Shop that did the previous repairs,..??

As noted by Don,...
The Y-pipe is Below the output shaft,+ water Doesn't leak Uphill....

 

[conway22]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

I assumed and was trying to give my best description. The bolt housing that attaches the Y pipe to the motor is where it was leaking (broken). Good price for pulling the engine and replacing Y pipe?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

Ayuh,...

It'll be 8 to 10hrs at whatever the going rate is in your area...

 

[conway22]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

fixed for 1025.38.

new Y pipe
Labor
Oil change
New boat bunker

 

[Don S]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

Yea, 1025!! Those numbers spells BOAT time and time again'
BOAT
Break Out Another Thousand

 

[achris]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

If the y-pipe is of the old style, then the shaft on the flap valve can wear though allowing the flap valve to fall into the bottom of the pipe. It can jam in the bend at the bottom and eventually will wear a hole in the pipe... They can either replace the pipe with the later model that has the new style flapper, or weld up the hole in the old pipe. Welding up will save you the cost of a new pipe, about $400.

I know all this because it happened to my old 4.3. What year is yours?

Chris...........

 

[rebars1]

Re: Y pipe leaking; taking on water 4.3 mercruiser Alpha 1

I was quoted "about $2000.00" to fix mine (1971 Merc888). Did it myself with help from this forum (plus I got to keep the new tools!).