Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

[almstsobur]

Last year my boat was taking on a bit of water, nothing dangerous, but enough to run the bilge after a half day out. It seemed to be worse when it was just sitting, not running, not on plane. I suspect an o-ring or gasket etc from the Outdrive to the transom. I plan to pull the outdrive this weekend as part of some routine pre-season maintenance, can anyone lead me in the right direction of what all I should replace that could possibly cause my symptoms?

Thank You,

much appreciated.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

If it helps any, forgot to mention 2002 Glastron GX185 is the boat.

 

[Don S]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Why don't you put the boat in the water, and get back there with a flashlight and a mirror and find the leak before you go fixing things that aren't the problem.

Also moving this to the Volvo forum, OMC didn't even exist in 2002.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Sorry about the wrong section, I thought I was in Volvo

It's just not that easy Don, getting to water is a multi Hr trip for me, I really didn't want to drive a couple hrs just to work on the boat. I mean If that's what it comes to, that may be what I have to do. But if any usual suspects can be replaced for under a hundred dollars or so, it will cost me that in gas to get to the lake. I figured while I have it off, wouldn't hurt to just replace the common culprits, if any.

 

[Don S]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Pull the drive and look for water in the bellows. You boat in salt or fresh water? Even with a bad bellows the ujoints and gimbal bearing will need replaced (at minimum) and that in parts alone will be over $100.
The drive should be coming off yearly just to grease the coupler splines and check alignment.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Fresh water, only about 150 Hrs on the boat. I was under the assumption in my own brain (probably wrong) that the bellows would be more of a culprit if it was leaking on plane? Yes, I plan to lube the splines and check alignment, I did it last year when I got the boat, as well. This is my first full year owning this boat, and only my second boat. I'm a boating newbie, but not a mechanical newbie. I was looking at the parts break down, and I see a couple of O-ring's ... I guess those are not likely to be the issue?

Thank You.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

One more thing that might be of note. I was looking at the manual that came with the boat, they show a bead of sealant being applied to the outdrive shaft case where it joins the transom. I don't recall seeing any signs of silicone or sealant or anything like that when I had the outdrive off last year. Possibly relevant?

Or maybe that was a bead of grease, I forget. I'm at work right now.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Fresh water, only about 150 Hrs on the boat. I was under the assumption in my own brain (probably wrong) that the bellows would be more of a culprit if it was leaking on plane? Yes, I plan to lube the splines and check alignment, I did it last year when I got the boat, as well. This is my first full year owning this boat, and only my second boat. I'm a boating newbie, but not a mechanical newbie. I was looking at the parts break down, and I see a couple of O-ring's ... I guess those are not likely to be the issue?

Thank You.

Ayuh,... On Plane, the bellows is high, 'n dry,... nothin' but spray hittin' it...

At rest, it's submerged...

 

[Don S]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

I was looking at the manual that came with the boat, they show a bead of sealant being applied to the outdrive shaft case where it joins the transom. I don't recall seeing any signs of silicone or sealant or anything like that when I had the outdrive off last year. Possibly relevant?

Not sure what manual you have, (probably one of those sorry clymer or seloc manuals) but sealant is not needed or recommended (or used by boat manufacturers) when installing the transom shield. There is a large diameter rubber oring that goes around the perimeter of the drive that prevents leaks. The only time they leak is when the transom rots out.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Don I think he's talking about the pinion bearing carrier. The service manual mentions putting a dap of grease around it to help slide it into the pivot housing.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Okay, so... in the interest of just fixing this issue without multiple trips to the lake, can I safely say if I order the
Transom Sealing Kit
Sale Price: $128.23
Part # 3858631

And install the complete kit, is this very likely to solve the problem? The transom itself seems to be in great shape.

Thank You again.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Don I think he's talking about the pinion bearing carrier. The service manual mentions putting a dap of grease around it to help slide it into the pivot housing.

Yes, i think that is what I was talking about. However if that is grease and not sealant I guess that would not do much for this issue. Thanks for translating though and please excuse my ignorance, I'm learning the boat lingo, just slowly

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

No need to apologize, not even 12 months ago I was trying to learn all this stuff myself. It can be a lot at first, especially to us newbie boaters.

Does your manual resemble this picture at all? This is for my sx-a drive but it is very similar to the sx drive. This is the part I was referring to.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

No need to apologize, not even 12 months ago I was trying to learn all this stuff myself. It can be a lot at first, especially to us newbie boaters.

Does your manual resemble this picture at all? This is for my sx-a drive but it is very similar to the sx drive. This is the part I was referring to.

View attachment 185109

That is exactly what I meant/saw. Yes.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Yep it's just grease. When the drive goes back on, the tapered end of that bearing housing presses up against the lip of the bellows and seals it from water intrusion. Grease is recommended to help it slide in better.

For water to intrude back there, there's only a couple places it can come from. One is the bellows if there is enough water in there to make it past the coupler. That's an obvious first place to check. Second, around where the transom shield mounts to the transom. You'll notice a sort of gasket that seals all around where it mounts to the transom.

You mention seeing water in the bilge after a few hours, but have you physically watched it coming into the boat? What I mean is, are you sure it is in fact coming from the outdrive area?

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

You mention seeing water in the bilge after a few hours, but have you physically watched it coming into the boat? What I mean is, are you sure it is in fact coming from the outdrive area?

I can't say for sure, for sure. But when I run it on a hose, I get no water inside. It also seems when I am cruising from the dock to a beach I get no water inside. But, when it's anchored off the beach for a few hrs, not running it does get water in it. It has a sunken like chamber under the engine, and water is only in there, so I don't think it's coming from another part of the boat or anything, no water trails leading to the area. I've tried to look for the leak a couple times while out on the water, but it is not glaringly obvious at all.

 

[Don S]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Pull the drive first before going to the lake and look for water in the bellows.
If none is there, then that is not your leak.
Kit number 3858631 is not the bellows kit. To use that kit, you would need to pull the engine and remove the transom shield from the boat. Doubt that is what you had in mind.

At least pull the drive before you go ordering parts, then at least you will know what all you need to order. Unless you feel a need to buy un-needed parts.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

This might be a stupid question, but how well does your plug fit? I ask because two years ago I didn't know any better and the plug, even though it screwed in fine, had lost its taper basically and would keep most water out but after sitting for a while would slowly leak in water. Problem is, with any water in the bilge (that sunken like chamber you referred to) that hole is underwater so you won't see it leaking. If you have a marine store around, it'd be beneficial to buy another one and try it out. If anything, you'll have a spare and let me tell you...it can come in handy.

 

[almstsobur]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

This might be a stupid question, but how well does your plug fit?

I will double check this, but I drove off without my drain plug last year and had to use my spare in the glove box and it still took on water

Don, will do. I will check the bellows and everything I can this weekend. Bellow issues, is that a hose clamp, or a tear, they just get old and brittle?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Likely culprit 4.3 Penta SX outdrive water in the hull?

Don, will do. I will check the bellows and everything I can this weekend. Bellow issues, is that a hose clamp, or a tear, they just get old and brittle?

Could be any or all of those three. I had water in my bellows this fall from not properly seating it on the transom side. Make sure the groove is engaged (you'll see what I mean) and the clamp is tight but not pinching anything. On the drive side, make sure the lip is seated completely all the way around. If it's old it can be brittle and tear easily, or punctured from something like a stump.