FelixDaKat
Cadet
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2023
- Messages
- 17
I need some help. I have a 2005 FourWinns 180 - that is taking on water. I noticed it a few weeks back when I kept seeing the bilge spit water every few minutes. Had a mobile tech look at it to replace the bellows but when he pulled the outdrive off he tells me there is tons of gear oil in the bellow but that the bellows look good since the oil didnt look milky or anything the bellows probably arent the issue. He works on it and finds one source of the leak (hopefully video or pic attaches) Small part says he fixed it - 4 hours or time so he cost me close to $500. He also tells me that since the gear oil is leaking he needs to rebuild the whole drive ($2800) and wont just do a half job because his reputation is on the line. I decide to do the seal job myself with the help of a buddy who is super mechanically inclined. We finally reinstall the outdrive take it to the lake to test and it works just fine. We drive it around for a bit, I keep checking the water level in the bilge (I had some in there from rain already but nothing to worry about) the water started just under the float switch and stayed that way for about 20 mins of driving, even checked at idle no wake zones too. I was starting to get excited that this was resolved but then while waiting for my turn at the ramp I check again and see that the float switch is about to engage, it does. I set the stopwatch on the phone and the bilge engages again this time within about 5-7 minutes, it drains again then engages again with 5-7 minutes. This boats motor area is very tight not easy to see around. Anyone one have any ideas?? I've gotten very little use out of it so far and while its a beatiful boat it has not been good to me yet aside from the day I bought it - thats the last time it didnt drain like a stream and I've only gotten 3 uses out of since purchasing it. I dont want to but I really starting to regret this purchase.
