Bilge suddenly taking on large quantities of water + odd engine noise

[redgoat]

My 51 year old Sea Ray with a 153 cu.in. 4cyl Mercruiser I/O engine suddenly began taking on water in the bilge area and then making a strange noise in the engine compartment. The engine did not stall so I idled back to the dock knowing something was amiss. During the trek back to shore, I noticed that if I slid open the engine top cover, the engine ran better and at higher RPM's. Don't know if that is significant or not. The engine ran fine except for a strange noise that I have not heard before so I did not go much over idle. Recent tune up makes me think the issue is something other than the engine. Is something wrong with my outdrive? P.S. I am the ORIGINAL owner of this classic Sea Ray.

 

[Bt Doctur]

So where was the water entry, how high did it get, why did the pump fail

 

[alldodge]

4cyl Mercruiser I/O engine suddenly began taking on water in the bilge area

When was the last time the boots were inspected and/or changed?
If its the drive boot then its probably the u-joints your hearing and gimbal bearing

Connect the a hose and see if you can see it coming in

 

[tpenfield]

51 year old SeaRay taking on water . . .

51 years old might have something to do with it, but there are a number of possibilities. Transom, Engine cooling system, bellows, etc.

You are going to have to look to see where the water is coming from. You may have to dunk the boat back in the water to see this.

 

[GA_Boater]

Since the motor ran better with cover open, water in the bilge and the strange noise, it could be water cooled exhaust leakage causing the poor running, watery bilge and noise.

Check the manifold, riser, exhaust bellows and exhaust elbow.

Have you had any overheating problems which can and does melt the bellows between the riser and elbow.

 

[tpenfield]

I was also thinking if the engine started sounding different and the bilge was filling with water, perhaps the inlet hose came off and the engine was overheating.

Did you have your eye on the temp gauge during all this?

 

[Benny67]

I was also thinking if the engine started sounding different and the bilge was filling with water, perhaps the inlet hose came off

id say start there...if that comes off the water can actually siphon itself into the bilge.

 

[redgoat]

Bilge water update. I took off the engine cover and then attached the garden hose and muffs. Engine started right up and upon inspecting the engine the leak became very obvious. There is a short bellows attached to, I guess the exhaust, that was spraying water all over the bilge. Problem located! Now, can I still get a replacement part for this 51 year-old Mercruiser. The part is very likely the original as I do not recall replacing any onboard bellows. I would need to know the part number and where I can get this part. The Mercruiser is a 1967 153 cu.in. 4cyl (old Chevy Iron Duke) engine. I have attached photos of leaking bellows. Am I correct in identifying this as the exhaust bellows? Also, is this part something a backyard mechanic, like me, can replace?

 

[alldodge]

Its item 42 in link below and is part number
45597A1 for 120 and 160
53114A1 for 140

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30824/1564/2

Parts are still available

 

[redgoat]

UPDATE
Was able to find the exact Mercruiser part mentioned above on ebay. Now I need to replace the exhaust manifold gasket. Again the engine is a Mercruiser 153 cu in 4 cyl manufactured in 1967 for Sea Ray. The engine serial number is 2050478.
Can anyone tell me the part number I need for this gasket?

 

[alldodge]

The manifold needs cleaned but your part number is 27-39915

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/39915-gasket

 

[tpenfield]

it sort of looks rust through at the bottom . . . could that be so?