leaking outdrive?

[altlrummy]

i have a larson 260 cabrio with a merc bravo III. the boat takes on water so the auto bilge pump comes on every 20 minutes and pumps about a gallon each time, and seems to be getting worse. after a trip to the repair shop i was told that the water was coming in around the outdrive steering post. the fix was to remove the engine, upper and lower unit, and the transom ring. apparently the hard post wears out the aluminum yoke (that allows outdrive to swivel or steer), my terminology may not be right. the cost, $2000. has anyone ever heard of something like this?
thanks for the help
altlrummy

 

[stonyloam]

Re: leaking outdrive?

He is talking about replacing seal #5 here: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...3.png&inbr=10269&bnbr=70&bdesc=Gimbal+Housing It seems like a gallon every 20 min is a lot through that seal (but what do I know). Is he absolutely sure it is not the bellows? I do know at least one of the folks here has had that problem with an alpha. The procedure described is how to do it the right way, the alternative is drilling holes in the gimbal housing to remove the ring and swivel pins.

 

[Bondo]

Re: leaking outdrive?

my terminology may not be right. the cost, $2000. has anyone ever heard of something like this?

Ayuh,... That's a common service point that's overlook by most boaters...
If the jam-nuts aren't checked for tightness every season, they loosen, 'n wear out the mating parts...

5 minutes a year, woulda saved ya the Thou$and$ ya Gotta $pend now...

Replacin' those parts, requires goin' Deep, hence the expensive labor bill...
Have 'em look for transom rot while it's apart,...

 

[rpaldrich]

Re: leaking outdrive?

Bond-o,

Could you describe the Jam Nuts and how to tighten them? Is that the procedure where you drill a couple of access holes in the gimbal ring (on outside of boat) to gain access to interior of ring, and then plug them? I don't remember seeing jam nuts talked about in the winterization sticky post, but perhaps it deserves mention.

 

[Bondo]

Re: leaking outdrive?

Could you describe the Jam Nuts and how to tighten them?

Ayuh,.... If ya don't see 'em at the top of the gimbel ring, it don't apply to yer transom...