finding water leak

[jebby]

Hi everyone, my 1992 Chaparral 2050sl took on a substantial amount of water last time we were out. going to start hunting tonight. you guys know more than me as far as where to start but im thinking likely culprits could be:

u joint bellows
shift cable bellows
exhaust bellows
raw water hose on cooling system
frost plug somehwere on the block
ect

im open to ideas and places to start. any and all info or advise is welcome

 

[Texasmark]

Cracked bellows (exhaust first guess) and a !@#$%^ for one person to change who only does it a couple of times in his life. If one is bad change them all and change them anyway if it's been awhile since doing it. Also, as other guys who run those types of drives recommend, only have your outdrive up when you are trailering or pulled up on a beach.

 

[jebby]

Thanks. Planning to have them done (I don't have the time to mess with it for a whole weekend). I will do all 3 (and likely the gimble bearing since its open) but I want to make sure I'm taking care of the leak also. If its something else id like to get it addressed at the same time.

 

[Scott Danforth]

being a 1992, you missed the potential soft transom and a leak between the transom shield and transom

if you lost a core plug on the block, you didnt winterize properly (they are core plugs to get casting sand out of the core at the foundry and not a frost plug or freeze plug)

so, back the boat in the water on the trailer

get a flashlight, mirror and your cell phone (use the camera) and look for the leak.

 

[BRICH1260]

Do you have an onboard water system? If so, check the tank and lines for leaks too. Also exhaust tube rubber sleeves.

 

[poconojoe]

Exhaust bellows will not cause water to enter your boat. U-joint and shift cable bellows, yes.
There are so many possibilities for a leak. Do what Scott said. Take a bunch of pictures.

 

[jebby]

for sure, the bellows need to be done regardless, I would just like to narrow down what im looking for. No onboard water. I'll be surprised if its not the u joint bellows, just want to make my search as efficient as possible as time is tight right now.

 

[jebby]

ill likely start her tonight with the muffs on, muffs on, out of water means its coming from the engine. that's a fast way to narrow that down. if she stays dry ill have to find time to hit the launch.