Boat leaking through transom, NOT belllows or rot! really need HELP! thanks

[Lukelona]

Hello again guys and gals.
I bought another headache...I mean boat
Sportcraft 205 walkaround
3.7 mercruiser I/O

Got it running, finally took it out and noticed water leaking through transom.
It's not the bellows, nor is transom rotten...
Steady drip/trickle. Several gallons per hour. Enough the bilge pump keeps up. Not a severe sinking hazard, but enough I want tofigure it out and fix it before it's cold lol

I tested it today hooked to muffs to see if it's still leaking without being in the water, and it is. But doesn't seem as fast of a leak. I still can't see exactly where it's coming from. It's below the drive shaft, running down the transom plate.

If I leave hose on, and shut motor off, leak stops. Also, this is a fresh water cooled (antifreeze) motor not cooled by sea water.

Any idea what could be leaking from this area? Really need some input please. I'm lost as all heck in this deal... thanks in advance

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Before you mention the muffs test I was almost certain that it is your swivel pin. The muffs test ruled this one out. Now, the only thing that passes water through the transom on an ear muffs is your water hose. If the hose is corroded or broked at the transom assembly, it would leak. Did you notice the engine is running any hotter than usual?


Remove the drive and without starting the engine, insert a water hose with barb attachement into the opening in the bell housing. Have some one look from inside, if (s)he finds a leak, it very confident to say it is the hose.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I didn't quite get the "if I leave hose on, and shut motor off, leak stops" Does this mean it leaks when you are running on muffs? Your first comment was that you took it out and water was leaking near bottom of transom plate - which could be shift cable boot or hydraulic trim manifold gasket. If it is leaking on muffs, then those bets are off and it will be something like the incoming water line.

Rick

 

[Lukelona]

"Did you notice the engine is running any hotter than usual?"

Well I just got the boat recently, but it doesn't pass the 1/4 way Mark in temperature gauge and I can hole my hand on any hot part of motor without burning myself, so I'm pretty sure it's running at correct temp.

"Remove the drive and without starting the engine, insert a water hose with barb attachement into the opening in the bell housing. Have some one look from inside, if (s)he finds a leak, it very confident to say it is the hose."

do you mean the water intake hose? I'm not very familiar with this area. Learning as I go

 

[Lukelona]

Also, would this leak when you first launch the boat and DON'T start it?

Oh, and the water that collects in bilge when on the muffs is warm/hot.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Also, would this leak when you first launch the boat and DON'T start it?

Well, based on your test results with ear muffs, it did not leak when the engine was off. This makes be beleive that it is only leak when the water is forced through. Your water pump - which is driven by the engine - does that. A water hose is already pressurized. If you insert it into the water inlet when the drive is removed, it will force the water through exactly as if the engine were running.


The water inlet inthe bellhousing is highlighted in the picture

 

[Bt Doctur]

My guess is the exaust pipe had a corroded hole thru it

 

[Lukelona]

Well, based on your test results with ear muffs, it did not leak when the engine was off. This makes be beleive that it is only leak when the water is forced through. Your water pump - which is driven by the engine - does that. A water hose is already pressurized. If you insert it into the water inlet when the drive is removed, it will force the water through exactly as if the engine were running.


The water inlet inthe bellhousing is highlighted in the picture

Ok but when I launched the boat for first time, I didn't start it I just happened to check for leaks prior to starting, low and behold I found it dripping in. If this was the inlet hose elbow would it leak without the motor running?

 

[Lukelona]

My guess is the exaust pipe had a corroded hole thru it

If this was the case wouldn't it leak further up or would it be at the transom plate also?.
And same thing, would it leak while not running at the dock?

 

[DeepBlue2010]

It could be the water pressure forces the water inside the hosee. You got to start somewhere, right?!

Checking the hose is not really that hard and you don't need to be 100% sure before you do it. You are not replacing the hose, you are just checking it. Discooneting the drive to perform the test is take mush less time than trying to chase the 100% sure answer on the net

 

[JustJason]

Run it a bit and stick your hand down there and see if the water is warm or cold. That will at least tell you if the problem is before the engine, or at the engine.

 

[Lukelona]

It could be the water pressure forces the water inside the hosee. You got to start somewhere, right?!

Checking the hose is not really that hard and you don't need to be 100% sure before you do it. You are not replacing the hose, you are just checking it. Discooneting the drive to perform the test is take mush less time than trying to chase the 100% sure answer on the net

I'm just trying to learn brotha' lol
I will pull the drive tomorrow when it's light out.
I've never pulled a whole outdrive, only lower units .
Is it really as easy as unbolting tilt rams, unbolt the nuts to bellhousing and pull it off?

 

[Lukelona]

Run it a bit and stick your hand down there and see if the water is warm or cold. That will at least tell you if the problem is before the engine, or at the engine.

the water is warm, as previously stated. But it's dripping from transom plate.

 

[Lukelona]

I didn't quite get the "if I leave hose on, and shut motor off, leak stops" Does this mean it leaks when you are running on muffs? Your first comment was that you took it out and water was leaking near bottom of transom plate - which could be shift cable boot or hydraulic trim manifold gasket. If it is leaking on muffs, then those bets are off and it will be something like the incoming water line.

Rick

yes I'm running on muffs, and it's leaking on them also, but not as bad I don't think.
Also, it leaked when I first launched it at the ramp before I even started it.
So whatever is causing it I guess would leak either under water pressure coming from floating at dock AND running it on muffs?
I'm confused about this but determined to learn something new and fix the issue!

Thank you everyone for your input keep it coming, every bit helps!

 

[Bt Doctur]

in the water not running , the exaust is filled with water atleast very close to the exaust shutter location. warm water would indicate something leaking from the exaust that is cooled by the water leaving the engine.
On muffs, not leaking that bad is because there is no water backed up in the exaust.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Bt Doc's answer is most likely. Not only is the exhaust 'Y' pipe below water level, so any corrosion or loose screws or broken o-ring will cause it to leak whenever the boat is sitting in the water, but also whenever the engine is running exhaust mixed with water is able to run out.

 

[Bt Doctur]

 

[Lukelona]

in the water not running , the exaust is filled with water atleast very close to the exaust shutter location. warm water would indicate something leaking from the exaust that is cooled by the water leaving the engine.
On muffs, not leaking that bad is because there is no water backed up in the exaust.

Oh that makes sense! Lol
Thanks for the tip...
so should I pull the drive first to check inlet hose like
"deepblue2010" suggested or pull the engine to check exhaust oring?

 

[Lukelona]

So the "lower pipe" where that flange is bolts to the transom plate right? And there is a rubber gasket between them?
What is it called exactly so I know if/when I need to order one?
The bolts that hold it on I think we're like 12 point heads, now that I think that's the bolt that I saw water dripping from...at least that's what it seemed like. Hard to see on them tight spots.
Guess I'll try to snug the bolts up and see if they're a little loose...and if not I'll have to replace the seal.
Do you think this could be done without removing engine? Since its only one section of exhaust maybe you can squeeze it out of there? I'm not sure...

You guys are being very helpful and teaching me a lot. I really appreciate it...

 

[Rick Stephens]

Exhaust seal - #13 on this page:
https://www.perfprotech.com/mercruis.../30?model=4224

I'm guessing on model of sterndrive since you didn't post any specs, year or whatever.

Generally speaking you have to pull the engine to work on that. You may be able to check bolt tightness, but it's a bear. Pulling the engine usually take less than an hour, you'll cuss just the bolts longer than that.

Rick