Help w/ a leak

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redfox97

Recruit
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
2
I just bought a 1990 sea ray 200 ov w/ 4.3 merc and merc(not sure which) outdrive. I have a leak, and it looks to be coming from what i am assuming to be the outdrive mount plate. It is inside the boat just aft of the engine. Water(clear, no oil) is coming from the bottom of this. Enough to where the bilge pumps it about every 4 minutes. Also it only leaks while sitting still, when we are cruising it does not leak at all. Also I am new to boats so I dont know exactly what to look for. I have inspected 2 bellows, they both look new(I know the gimble bearing and ujoints were replaced less than a year ago), and the clamps looked good and tight. I am trying to avoid taking it to a shop, so can anyone give me any hints as to what the problem may be. thanks
 
cooter2506

cooter2506

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
733
Re: Help w/ a leak

Sure sounds like a bellows leak there are three bellows behind your outdrive. Two of which will cause a leak into your bilge. Upper one is the u-joint bellows, lower is the exhaust bellows(this one wont leak into the bilge) and the third one is the shift cable boot. Check them carefully. I would remove the drive and inspect that way. you can move the gimble housing in differect directions to look for the leaks Sorry forgot the last boot. Last boot is small and has your shift cable in it. Check it too. Hope this helps. There will be others to chime in but that is just my from experience 2 cents.
 
R

redfox97

Recruit
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
2
Re: Help w/ a leak

How difficult is it to pull the drive? Will I need a manual or is there anywhere online that covers this? If it is bellows are they fairly easy to change or do i need to take it to a shop? Also any special tools needed? thanks
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: Help w/ a leak

You have an Alpha 1 Gen 1 drive......
Here is a free link for your drive......
Click on the lettered sections on page seven to download the section you want to
view.....:)
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A4R3.PDF
All that you need to do is put the shifter in foreward & remove the six bolts on the back.....
You will need to remove the two nuts that hold on the end of the trim cylinders as well......
Should take 15 minutes at most......;)
I'd pull the drive & see if ya got water in your bellows......;)​
 
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