Water Leaking from transom.

[BIGMACK77]

Newbie here w an 85 Thundercraft w a 3.0 mercruiser alpha 1 Gen 1. TIA. I just replaced my transom, all my bellows, water pump, shift cable, trim senders and the list goes on. I put the boat in the water yesterday and I had a decent flow of water coming in above the drive shaft. Pulled the boat out and checked all the bellows and all look good except the exhaust on the bell housing. Due to the height of the leak I am suspecting water coming through the trim sender wires? Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

being a 36 year old boat I would suspect the transom itself

 

[BIGMACK77]

I just replaced the transom.

 

[Scott Danforth]

then go back to the bellows. dont just check them, replace them.

 

[BIGMACK77]

They are brand new.

 

[JASinIL2006]

If you just replaced all that stuff, my guess would be either the gimbal housing is not sealed properly to the transom, or the bellows are not attached properly, or you got defective bellows and they have a leak.

 

[tpenfield]

Did you get the trim sender wires properly seated with their grommets oriented correctly and fasten the retaining bolt & clip?

 

[BIGMACK77]

Ok. Looking at the transom on the back of the boat and

If you just replaced all that stuff, my guess would be either the gimbal housing is not sealed properly to the transom, or the bellows are not attached properly, or you got defective bellows and they have a leak.

Did you get the trim sender wires properly seated with their grommets oriented correctly and fasten the retaining bolt & clip?

Yes, however the retaining clip had a crack in it underneath the one bolt. There were 2 bolts and it was tight

 

[BIGMACK77]

I went out once after all the work was done and I have no issue. However I was careful not to raise the motor too high as it was cooler out and I thought it would be better to wait to go full trailer height till it was warmer out. Fast forward to ride #2 when my son raised the motor to its max height. Wondering if I pulled too much wire into the boat and didn’t leave enough slack for the trim sending units

 

[Grub54891]

Wondering if I pulled too much wire into the boat and didn’t leave enough slack for the trim sending units

Pretty hard to do, the retainer is fixed to the wire. Unless they make a different type I haven't seen. Is the steering pin leaking? Usually don't sit that low in the water but I don't know your boat.

 

[JimS123]

If you raise the outdrive too high and it leaks, it sounds like the bellows.

Did you use adhesive when you installed the new ones?

 

[BIGMACK77]

If you raise the outdrive too high and it leaks, it sounds like the bellows.

Did you use adhesive when you installed the new ones?

Yes it is the drive shaft bellows. I guess I must have raised it too high? Yes,I did use the adhesive. The top of the bellows is still connected. I have added some adhesive and reconnected it. Fingers crossed it holds.

 

[hugh g]

Yes it is the drive shaft bellows. I guess I must have raised it too high? Yes,I did use the adhesive. The top of the bellows is still connected. I have added some adhesive and reconnected it. Fingers crossed it holds.

Did you pump some grease into the gimbal bearing? If not, you should. Or replace it. Believe me, they ain't no picnic to remove due to rust buildup which will happen from water intrusion like you have. Your call.

 

[JimS123]

Yes it is the drive shaft bellows. I guess I must have raised it too high?

There is no such thing as "too high". It is supposed to go to the top of the travel. If it makes it leak it wasn't installed properly.

I do a lot of my own maintenance, but I won't touch bellows myself, deferring to what I consider and expert mechanic. Even dealers don't get it right some times.

 

[BIGMACK77]

Did you pump some grease into the gimbal bearing? If not, you should. Or replace it. Believe me, they ain't no picnic to remove due to rust buildup which will happen from water intrusion like you have. Your call.

Yes I pumped some grease in after I cleaned it up really well. Thanks

 

[BIGMACK77]

There is no such thing as "too high". It is supposed to go to the top of the travel. If it makes it leak it wasn't installed properly.

I do a lot of my own maintenance, but I won't touch bellows myself, deferring to what I consider and expert mechanic. Even dealers don't get it right some times.

Yes I can see how it is easy to make a mistake. Here they charge $130 per hour and they quoted the job at $1000. Also my boat would still be waiting to get completed. They are 3 weeks behind right now.