Water leak from inboard Mercruiser Alpha One

[wait-wut]

First post, new to boating the boating world, and in dire need of help.

I bought a 92 Celebrity 180 CX bow rider, with a 3.0L Mercruiser Alpha One. First day out on the lake everything was good, it ran great and so on. A week ago I needed to leave the boat on the lake as I was going to do trailer repair that week. I noticed a small leak and a buddy let me use is boat lift just in case the bilge pump decided to cut out while I fixed the trailer. I already need to replace the Trim Limit Switch (which I ordered and plan to do myself). Attached you will links to a video of where the water is coming in and the serial numbers of the boats. Can some please help identify where the water is coming in and what can be done to stop it? The plug was in tight, I tried getting water to come in and out with a hose but could not replicate in the drive way.

Video : https://www.dropbox.com/s/bphzi4syq95746c/VID_20140718_205338 (1).mp4
Images : https://www.dropbox.com/s/75wvpmky1etv02u/IMG_20140720_115229.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6unzofb4khyhm3m/IMG_20140720_115210.jpg

 

[Bt Doctur]

the black and grey tubes are not wires but hyd lines to the trim pump.Where the 4 lines connect at the outside of the boat is a block and a gasket .
either the block has corroded, or the gasket s leaking

 

[soggy_feet]

Bottom of the gimbal housing? Where your hydraulic lines run thru the transom for your trim?

I'm gonna suggest starting with the plate on the underside of the housing on the outside of the boat where your trim lines meet and transition to the inboard lines.

Maybe it was damaged, or maybe someone did a repair and didn't seal it back u correctly.

 

[wait-wut]

Im going to go outside and look into this immediately. If your opinion how difficult are the repairs for this?

 

[Bt Doctur]

about as difficult as opening a can of beer

 

[wait-wut]

I removed the electrode and the assembly. The gaskets seems like it's due for a replacement. Took a hose and sprayed water up. Sure enough, it came in exactly as it did in the video. The only issue I see to changing the gasket is depressurizing and removing the trim lines enough to get a new gasket in place.

 

[Bt Doctur]

yes, removing the 2 main lines is the way to change the gasket

 

[Fastatv]

about as difficult as opening a can of beer

Ha, ha, ha....I like that answer! :lol:

 

[wait-wut]

Good Morning Gentlemen.

I did as was instructed last week and changed the gaskets and even threw in some liquid gasket around the electrode and hydraulic lines. I water tested it this weekend and the leak still continues.

Anyone have any advice on the next place to look?

 

[Bt Doctur]

After reviewing that video I noticed a small water stream coming from the anode bolt. that bolt appears to be backward. there`s supposed to be a nut and washer

there. the 2 bottom bolts are corroded/loose or the transom is rotted. the box with 2A is the stud arrangement.
Where are you located?

 

[wait-wut]

The transom is not rotted (I clean the surfaces, installed new gasket and liquid gasket. I also installed a new gasket on the annode with liquid gasket.

I am located near Ottawa Ontario.

 

[wait-wut]

After reviewing that video I noticed a small water stream coming from the anode bolt. that bolt appears to be backward. there`s supposed to be a nut and washer

there. the 2 bottom bolts are corroded/loose or the transom is rotted. the box with 2A is the stud arrangement.
Where are you located?

I could not locate 2A. :S And I must admit. I don't really. Know how it fits into the picture. You don't think it could be the lower part of the seal 13 that is letting go?

 

[81 Checkmate]

Looks like 2A is the lower transom stud/bolt...1 on each side. Thats the bolt BT is talking about.....Nuts should be inside and the bolt head outside

 

[Fishermark]

The bottom two bolts are aluminum (or a similar alloy) and the bolt is corroded off in your video. I recently rebuilt the transom in my boat - here's a picture without everything in the way. The bottom two bolts are what Bt Doctur is referring to:

 

[wait-wut]

I will have a look when I get home tonight and post pictures if needed.. Do I need to take everything apart to change those bolts or can it be done without?

 

[Bt Doctur]

water is leaking in because the transom is not sealed correctly. #13 does not normally go bad . its compressed against the transom,

 

[Bt Doctur]

The correct way it to remove the drive , the motor, the inner and outer housing. Replace #13, ,install inner plate, snug up, install anode bolts, tighten all nuts enenly to avoid cracking the inner plate. Install #13 with weatherstrip adhesive , hold seal in place with tape until dry, place a very small amount of black RTV sealant all the way around the seal. not on the center part, just between the seal and the outer edge of the housing

 

[wait-wut]

This boat will be the death of me. I kind of regret buying an inboard bowrider now. But good news your advice has been of some help. I got come. Took flat head screw driver and with any pressure did this. https://www.dropbox.com/s/m86g3gz38bcbfdv/IMG_20140805_180743.jpg

Those are the corroded bolts you spoke of. I will be placing an order for new one tomorrow. Will update by the end of the week if the she still takes on water.

 

[wait-wut]

Got a part number anyone?? The serial on the trans is OD645452. I cannot seem to locate the proper part number on that diagram

 

[Bt Doctur]

But the bolts are installed from the outside and nuts on the inside
part # 55989A8.