Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

[smpnet]

I think I may have a bellow leak due to bad winterazation and I am hoping someone can confirm. When I put the muffs on the out drive and run water threw my Merc 260, water and exhaust is not only coming out of the prop but also near the transom. Is this right? I can see for sure if maybe a bellow is cracked, so before I get into a bigger project, I thought I'd throw this out to the forum.

Any help or info anyone can provide would be appreciated.

 

[Glastron_V210]

Re: Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

If you're talking about the exhaust bellows, then yes. If you're talking about the driveshaft bellows or shift cable bellows, then no.

If it's the exhuast bellows there is nothing you need to do...this area is wet all the time anyway. There is actually a mod type bellows which exits all the exhaust/water at this point.

Also, the exhust bellows is more likely to fail due to age and/or overheating (As in, no water flowing through the exhaust system for a while).


Chay

 

[jam1ej20]

Re: Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

Sounds like your exhaust bellows is worn out. If this is the case, it has nothing to do with improper winterization (other than the lack of a yearly inspection). If your exhaust bellows is cracked, the rest are soon to follow and it would be wise to change them all out now. However, the exhaust bellows being cracked is not a problem alone, it will only leak some exhaust out onto the drive. This is similar to what an exhaust tube would do. Again, IF this is your only problem and your winterization worked out, you're good to go. Just change your bellows in the near future.

 

[smpnet]

Re: Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

Thanks for the quick replies. This is the first time I have summerized the boat and is the first time I have had the muffs on. I was surprised to see water and exhaust coming out down low on the transom next to the outdrive. Is it a big job to replace the exhaust bellows going from the outdrive through the transom? I am sure everything inside the engine compartment is good, but the water and exhaust leaking at the bottom of the outdrive, right next to the transom has me confused. This is ok? I would think that the bellow that feeds thru the transom and out the prop needs to be sealed.

 

[Glastron_V210]

Re: Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

It's easy. A couple of hose clamps and you're done. The seal is not important like I said.

I've seen a recomendation to change the drive bellows every 2 years. This seems excessive, but if it has been a while, do the drive bellows too. This is a bigger tougher job. Pull the outdrive, then check for water in the drive bellows. If there is none and the drive bellows is still nice and pliable, and the u joints look clean (No rust) then you're ok for now.

Chay

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

Are you talking about the two holes, one on each side of the gimble housing? If that is where you are seeing water that is normal. Those are idle relief holes. if not then you need to check your bellows and maybe the water hose from outdrive to engine.

 

[Mark Hennessy]

Re: Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

The fella who mentioned changing the drive bellows every two years is on to something. I had a GW 231 with an Alpha for 14 years. I kept it docked in thebrackish water of the Northern Chesapeake Bay. All my maintenance troubles were attributed to the outdrive, more specifically water in the drive oil. It seems the upper shaft seal while keeping grease from exiting the drive allows sea water to seep in. A good bilge pump masks the problem

My solution, after 8 years, was two fold. first to R & R the drive bellows every two years. and install a remote drive oil resivoir so I could keep the grease topped off and inspect the oil for contamination. I think the Gen. one has solved the second half.

Be sure to inspect the bellows at purchase. It's a flexing rubber product and subject to cracking and dry rot. There's no born on date, and they hang around invantory for years sometimes. It's not an expensive maintenance item and you can change a bellows in 20 to 30 minutes using only a screwdriver

 

[smpnet]

Re: Alpha 1 outdrive water leak

Thanks to cooter2506 for reading through my stupidity. I have 2 holes, one on each side of the gimbal housing and that is exactly where the exhaust and water is coming from. I didn't pay too much attention at first look, thinking instantly I f'ed up the winterazation, and standing water froze and cracked a bellow. Thanks again cooter2506, now I feel better!