Alpha one gen II leaking water near hydraulic hoses

[mkane8301]

Hello everyone, I am new to both boating and the forum and am excited to join the community. A friend and I purchased a 1995 glassport 170 at the start of the summer. It is running a mercruiser 3.0LX and an alpha one gen II outdrive. We spent all season getting the engine up and running and did our first water test last weekend. We were a bit disappointed to see water leaking into the bilge through the cutout at the very bottom of the transom where the hydraulic hoses exit the boat.

I am looking for advice on what could be causing this leak. I have seen many sources that mention it could be the bellows (the ones that are installed are likely the original ones, making them 30 years old) but I was wondering if it's possible that the leak could be coming from somewhere else since, to my knowledge, those hoses are not actually routed through any of the bellows on the alpha one. I have attached a still frame of the leak as well as a link to the best video I could take of the leak in the tight space.

I am hoping that if it's possible that the leak is coming from somewhere else I could avoid dismantling my entire outdrive to replace the bellows, at least for a little while to test the engine and the outdrive in the water. However, if that is the most likely source of the problem I am more than happy to do so.

New video by Matthew Kane

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,....... There is a gasket under the trim line manifold, outside, under the drive, that could be the problem,....
But, if the bellows are original, it's about 20 years past their useful expected life,.....
And, the drive should be pulled annually for inspection, 'n service,....

 

[Grub54891]

I agree with Bondo. I changed all the bellows, shift cable and gimbal. Still leaked. The trim manifold gasket was the culprit. But now I know everything is going to be perfect for years to come. Don't scrimp on aftermarket bellows, I worked at a place that used them a lot and they would come back after a few years with issues.

 

[crazy charlie]

As Bondo mentioned, the drive should be pulled for servicing and having the drive off will give you a better perspective of the bell housing and bellows condition which are surely ready to be replaced.Transom kit would be a good idea.There is also a rubber washer under each acorn zinc and another rubber gasket under the waffle zinc.If you are just looking for a temporary fix before you do the correct repair/servicing you can always dry it up and put some silicone sealant where its leaking and run a bead around the drive hose manifold.Just a temp fix that may help you isolate the leak.Charlie

 

[Scott06]

I agree with Bondo. I changed all the bellows, shift cable and gimbal. Still leaked. The trim manifold gasket was the culprit. But now I know everything is going to be perfect for years to come. Don't scrimp on aftermarket bellows, I worked at a place that used them a lot and they would come back after a few years with issues.

100% my original bellows on my 2004 lasted 18 years, exhaust was torn bit shift and driveshaft did not leak... Why use anything but OEM unless you are selling the boat.

To the OP as mentioned drop the trim manifold and replace the gasket. If the bellows haven't been done the winter offseason is a great time to do it.

 

[mkane8301]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies. I will take a look into replacing that gasket below the manifold and take it back to the ramp and see if that helps with the leak.

If the leak is in fact fixed by replacing that gasket I will still look into replacing the bellows in the off-season due to their age. I was looking at different kits available and did not see any non-OEM ones with reliable reviews so I have no issue shelling out a bit more money for a part that will actually do the job, especially when it is so critical.

Charlie, I am not familiar with the zinc anode terminology and want to clarify where these parts with seals are. Is the waffle zinc the one that covers the trim manifold? I know there is a gasket in there. I do not know off the top of my head where the acorn zincs are.

There is also a rubber washer under each acorn zinc and another rubber gasket under the waffle zinc

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... The big zinc is on the hyd. manifold,.....
The acorns are on the outside ends of the 2 bottom transom housing bolts,....

 

[crazy charlie]

Charlie, I am not familiar with the zinc anode terminology and want to clarify where these parts with seals are. Is the waffle zinc the one that covers the trim manifold? I know there is a gasket in there. I do not know off the top of my head where the acorn zincs are.

Get to the lowest part of your bell housing assembly outside your stern.There are 2 Frankenstein neck bolts, one on each side.They are made of zinc.Unscrew them and replace them and make sure you install the rubber washer under each one.If your boat does not have these zinc's ,gone from wear down,then you will see threaded bolts to install the acorns on. In between the acorns should be a waffle zinc.Mounts onto the manifold that you are needing to remove for gasket replacement.This zinc also has a rubber gasket.These are sacrificial zincs that are designed to take the brunt of the damage when stray underwater current is wanting to attack and damage your drive and housing when your rig is in the water. If you strictly trailer your boat then the use of the zincs are waaaay less important but you still need to have them and their gaskets on.Hope this explains it and if it doesn't then ask whatever questions you have .Charlie

 

[mkane8301]

I have the zinc and manifold removed and there was a little bit of water in the cavity, so it's confirmed that water is getting in there through some means. The gasket that I pulled off seems to be in perfectly good condition though, so I am wondering if it's possible it could be trickling down from somewhere else. I will replace the gasket and take it back to the ramp to see if it still leaks I suppose.

I am still unable to find the acorn zincs or bolts with rubber washers towards the bottom of the bell housing. I looked online and saw where they are supposed to be but I don't see the same features on my outdrive. Is it possible that they aren't included on my generation?

 

[tank1949]

Hello everyone, I am new to both boating and the forum and am excited to join the community. A friend and I purchased a 1995 glassport 170 at the start of the summer. It is running a mercruiser 3.0LX and an alpha one gen II outdrive. We spent all season getting the engine up and running and did our first water test last weekend. We were a bit disappointed to see water leaking into the bilge through the cutout at the very bottom of the transom where the hydraulic hoses exit the boat.

I am looking for advice on what could be causing this leak. I have seen many sources that mention it could be the bellows (the ones that are installed are likely the original ones, making them 30 years old) but I was wondering if it's possible that the leak could be coming from somewhere else since, to my knowledge, those hoses are not actually routed through any of the bellows on the alpha one. I have attached a still frame of the leak as well as a link to the best video I could take of the leak in the tight space.

I am hoping that if it's possible that the leak is coming from somewhere else I could avoid dismantling my entire outdrive to replace the bellows, at least for a little while to test the engine and the outdrive in the water. However, if that is the most likely source of the problem I am more than happy to do so.

New video by Matthew Kane

photos.app.goo.gl

ROT

 

[Bt Doctur]

look at the gasket at the 12:00 position, you`ll see corrosion there
the button zincs / acorn zincs that were refereed to are not on your unit,

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Check around your tiller arm (steering arm) and see if there is any sign of water / rust / maybe sediments from evaporated water. If there is, is is not uncommon for that seal to be bad on the steering pin, and the leak will find it's way down

 

[mkane8301]

We took the boat out yesterday after replacing both gaskets on the trim manifold and everything seemed alright when the outdrive was partially submerged, which I think is an improvement from last time.

We got the boat fully off the trailer this time and unfortunately a new leak started higher up on what looked to be around the driveshaft bellows. Looks like replacing those will be the next step, which isn't all too big of a surprise given their age.

Thanks for your advice and input, everyone!