Salt water leak

[Moorecat]

Hi, I’m new, I have a relatively slow saltwater leak as per photos/video in. Drip coming from the underneath of the engine side of the middle of the exhaust y pipe. Small volume of water pooled below prop shaft as per photo but very hard to see exact source. I know steering pin leaks common but that looks ok superficially. So that leaves exhaust pipe leak or leak from the prop shaft? I’m hoping the engine doesn’t need to be pulled out to be fixed. Any help much appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
It could be the Y pipe but seeing it's on top of it I would lean more to the drive shaft boot. When was last time the boots were inspected/changed?

 

[Moorecat]

Welcome
It could be the Y pipe but seeing it's on top of it I would lean more to the drive shaft boot. When was last time the boots were inspected/changed?

Was only serviced and inspected 2 months ago. The drip is coming from underneath the y pipe.

 

[alldodge]

I see it coming from above it,
Does it only leak when motor is running?

 

[Moorecat]

Oh yes good spot. And yes only when running.

 

[alldodge]

Check/feel under the raw water hose connection at transom plate, see if it's wet

 

[Moorecat]

Ok great will do. Where exactly is it located? Pretty tricky spot back there.

 

[Bondo]

Ok great will do. Where exactly is it located? Pretty tricky spot back there.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... What vintage,..??
What motor,..??
What drive,..??
There's a big, like 1" hose that goes from the transom housing, to the t-stst housing,....
AD is sayin', look where it comes in through the transom,....

 

[Moorecat]

350 mpi horizon, Bravo 2, 2003 vintage.

 

[cyclops222]

I would wipe off REMOVE all water stains from ALL surfaces. Then start running the boat to pin point where and HOW MANY leaks you have.

Serviced and inspected ??????
Dump the marina !!!!
They are just taking your money the easiest way possible.

 

[Moorecat]

I see it coming from above it,
Does it only leak when motor is running?

View attachment 404210

Ok I’ve found the leak, small amount of water coming from top of y pipe exhaust where it goes through transom. Only when engines running. Checked the steering pin where it goes through transom and seems dry. No other leaks detected. Photos of when leaking and when dried off. So my next question is is this a seal issue? Presuming when engines on the turbulence causes it to leak. Also presuming to fix the boat has to come out of the water as submerged when boat in the pen. I’m thinking the recent stern drive service may have slightly disrupted the seal as it wasn’t leaking before hand. All your help much appreciated!

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Y pipe repairs require boat out of water and engine to come out.
Can not see where any maintenance performed would effect y pipe to transom seal.

Have seen the situation where the O-ring between the y pipe and tansom assy leaked from built up corrosion and have seen where exhaust flapper failed and fell inside the exhaust y pipe and the S/S rod / pin that holds them ate thru the aluminum y pipe, causing a leak. Solution was a new Y pipe and flappers.

 

[alldodge]

I'm unable to identify the water/leak, but either way the motor has to come out

 

[Moorecat]

I see it coming from above it,
Does it only leak when motor is running?

View attachment 404210

Ok I’ve found the leak, small amount of water coming from top of y pipe exhaust where it goes through transom. Only when engines running. Checked the steering pin where it goes through transom and seems dry. No other leaks detected. Photos of when leakingand when dried off. So my next question is is this a seal issue? Presuming when engines on the turbulence causes it to leak. Also presuming to fix the boat has to come out of the water as submerged when boat in the pen. I’m thinking the recent stern drive service may have slightly disrupted the seal as it wasn’t leaking before hand. All your help much appreciated!View attachment 404224i

Welcome
It could be the Y pipe but seeing it's on top of it I would lean more to the drive shaft boot. When was last time the boots were inspected/changed?

Hi all dodge. I think you’re on the money so my next question is if I drive the boat is it at risk of worsening/flooding? Being Christmas impossible to get it looked at! Many thanks.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

Is the leak there when the boat is sitting in the water but not running?

 

[Moorecat]

Is the leak there when the boat is sitting in the water but not running?

No just when engine running.

 

[alldodge]

next question is if I drive the boat is it at risk of worsening/flooding? Being Christmas impossible to get it looked at! Many thanks.

I see nothing which would give me concern of it getting so bad the boat would sink

 

[Lou C]

Yep that leak just isn't that bad your auto bilge pump should be more than good enough to keep up with that.

 

[Scott06]

No just when engine running.

Check and see if the clamps or rubber connectors at top of Wye pipe are leaking when the engine is running. If it was leaking at bottom of wye pipe this would leak while not running as it is under water.

 

[Lou C]

I actually had that raw water intake hose pop off the metal fitting on the transom mount, that is what led to my overheat years back. Now every spring I get down in the bilge and check EVERY SINGLE HOSE CLAMP. This is why I won't have another one of these I/Os. Outboards don't make raw water leaks in the bilge and fill it with seawater (like an I/O with the impeller in the drive will do if that happens!)