I let the smoke get out.

I guess most first post are cries for help and so mine will be no different.

1995 Searay 200 bowrider
Mercruiser
5.0 LX/V8 Alpha One
Alpha One Gen2 outdrive

We took the boat out yesterday for the first time this year and had a little trouble. We idled out of the marina with no problem. After we got out of the no wake zone I opened her up and planed out fine. In 30 sec or so I cut the throttle due to a boats wake in front of us. As the boat slowed we think (there is some debate) we heard a popping sound and then saw white smoke was billowing out from the engine housing. I killed the motor and checked under the hood. I did not see anything obviously wrong. The smoke reminded us of the smell a burning clutch. Not seeing anything I tried the motor which started right up. I tried putting the drive in forward which it did ok. We limped back the dock. After getting the boat out of the water I pulled the plug and probably 4 gallons poured out, we had only been on the lake 15min's or so.

After we pulled the up the ramp I noticed the boat had slid back on the trailer a bit and needed to be put back into the water enough to pull the boat up. I put the plug back in and we eased into the lake enough to float the rear. After cranking the boat up we pulled back out I removed the plug and had 1-2 gallons pour out.

So what do you folks think? Where should I start?

Thanks
Chris

Re: I let the smoke get out.

remoc said:

...So what do you folks think? Where should I start?

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Welcome aboard Chris....

I'd start by looking very closely at the bellows, uni and shift... or for a hole in the exhaust pipe, near the bottom.

The bellows is going to be the easiest to check first.. Swing the steering wheel all the way one way, check the bellows (not just eyeball, but get in there with your fingers too). Then swing it the other way and do the same. You're looking for holes, splits or tears....

Chris.....

Re: I let the smoke get out.

Check the shift cable bellows.

Re: I let the smoke get out.

That was it. The shift cable bellows had blown compleatly. Thanks for the tips!

Re: I let the smoke get out.

I would replace all three of them while your at it.

Re: I let the smoke get out.

This is my first post.

Just had the same issue over the weekend, now I know what to look for.

Besides having to run the bilge and not being able to 'park', what drawbacks are there to this? Is this a shut-down and tow back to dock situation normally? I am assuming the block was receiving some direct cooling...

1995 Bayliner 2050 5.0 Alpha One

Re: I let the smoke get out.

You mean other than the entire boat filling with water, sinking and general mayhem and destruction if you don't get your butt back to the dock and boat on trailer ASAP?

Uh.. nothing, I guess.

Re: I let the smoke get out.

RiverRider72 said:

This is my first post.

Just had the same issue over the weekend, now I know what to look for.

Besides having to run the bilge and not being able to 'park', what drawbacks are there to this? Is this a shut-down and tow back to dock situation normally? I am assuming the block was receiving some direct cooling...

1995 Bayliner 2050 5.0 Alpha One

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First off, you should start your own thread and not "hijack" someone elses. Secondly, is this a serious question?

Re: I let the smoke get out.

Where did all the white smoke come from?

Re: I let the smoke get out.

remoc said:

That was it. The shift cable bellows had blown compleatly. Thanks for the tips!

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Sounds like the "white smoke" was probably steam?

Re: I let the smoke get out.

tylermcclintock said:

First off, you should start your own thread and not "hijack" someone elses. Secondly, is this a serious question?

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Sorry. Thought it was pertinent. Didn't mean to hijack.
Will leave.

Thanks