Water from bellows or transom

[gustro]

I need some advice on a 1990 Baja with an Alpha GenI. I pulled the outdrive to look at the gimbal bearing and it looks as if water is coming from the transom into the drive shaft bellows as apposed to the other way around. My question is can the water get into the void between the gimbal housing and transom plate, fill up enough to actually leach through the gimbal bearing into the drive shaft bellows? Could the water be getting in from the shift cabel bellows and therefore repaired with a complete gimbal replacement kit? Thanks for the help in advance

 

[cr2k]

Re: Water from bellows or transom

If any water got in from the inside of the boat you should see a ring of dirty scum around the inside of the boat, also your starter will be toast.

More likely it is from a bad drive bellows. Your gimbal brg. looks like it is shot and the bellows flange looks almost gone. Your U-Joints are probably not so good either.

Only other way is water puking out from the top (input) seal on your drive which would mean it is FULL of water.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Water from bellows or transom

I need some advice on a 1990 Baja with an Alpha GenI. I pulled the outdrive to look at the gimbal bearing and it looks as if water is coming from the transom into the drive shaft bellows as apposed to the other way around. My question is can the water get into the void between the gimbal housing and transom plate, fill up enough to actually leach through the gimbal bearing into the drive shaft bellows? Could the water be getting in from the shift cabel bellows and therefore repaired with a complete gimbal replacement kit? Thanks for the help in advance

The water level would have to be very high insde the boat for it to enter the bellows from that side....
So, high that it could not go unnoticed.....
I would look at the bellows for a leak.....
With that kind of rust, the u joints are probably shot & the yoke seal is going to be suspect as well.....
You need to drain your drive & inspect for water intrusion......

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Water from bellows or transom

The flange mentioned is where the bellows connect.

 

[gustro]

Re: Water from bellows or transom

Thanks for the feedback. The reason I thought the water was coming from the transom was the rust line going down the gimbal bearing. The u-joints did have water in them that was easily pump out with fresh grease and they felt smooth both before and after I greased them.
Thanks for the tip on the bellows flange, I thought it was just some excess glue or something, probably the point of water entry. The out drive lube was a little milky and it's on the maintenence list because I think the water in the drive shaft bellows got into the outdrive via the drive shaft seal.
Anyone have a suggestion on the best rebuild kit that may include some of the tools i'll need?