Troubleshooting a leak

[Mantooth]

Hello
I wanted to ask and lean on the collective knowledge of the forum for help. I recently purchased a “lake ready” 2007 Bayliner 175 with the mercrusier 3.0 and alpha 1 gen 2 drive. The boat has been garage kept and in excellent appearance and condition. The motor has been meticulously maintained and has low hours. We took it out with my family on the first outing and noticed we were taking on water so we cut our day short. Attached is a picture of where I see water coming in. It appears to be dripping from under the transom mount bracket. The arrow is pointing at a water drop sliding down the back of the boat. The previous owner said the only time he’s ever had water in the bilge is when the shift cable bellows has a crack in it. It was replaced and never had any water enter again. When I got home I pulled the out drive off and inspected the main bellows, which is was dry with no signs of water. The engines ran great when were out running around. The out drive is also in excellent shape. Am I looking at the dreaded rotted transom here? We really like the boat and would be happy to keep it if it made since to fix the transom if that is what it is. Does anyone have any other thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

When I got home I pulled the out drive off and inspected the main bellows, which is was dry with no signs of water. The engines ran great when were out running around. The out drive is also in excellent shape. Am I looking at the dreaded rotted transom here?

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,..... It Could be a rotten transom, as it's old enough,....
The only real way to know is to drill a few test holes from the inside, 'n see if it's wood amber, or rotten black,...

One more thing to check,.... Where the trim lines go out through the little manifold, which is gasketed to the very bottom of the transom housin',....
That gasket, Could be leakin',....

 

[Mantooth]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,..... It Could be a rotten transom, as it's old enough,....
The only real way to know is to drill a few test holes from the inside, 'n see if it's wood amber, or rotten black,...

One more thing to check,.... Where the trim lines go out through the little manifold, which is gasketed to the very bottom of the transom housin',....
That gasket, Could be leakin',....

So I took the zinc plate off that trim line manifold last night to inspect. Would I need to loosen up and pull that manifold off to know?

 

[Bondo]

So I took the zinc plate off that trim line manifold last night to inspect. Would I need to loosen up and pull that manifold off to know?

Ayuh,.... The gasket is under the manifold, Yes,...

 

[Mantooth]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,..... It Could be a rotten transom, as it's old enough,....
The only real way to know is to drill a few test holes from the inside, 'n see if it's wood amber, or rotten black,...

One more thing to check,.... Where the trim lines go out through the little manifold, which is gasketed to the very bottom of the transom housin',....
That gasket, Could be leakin',....

Would you drill a 1/4” hole about half inch deep and about inch so under the bottom of the transom bracket?

 

[Bondo]

Would you drill a 1/4” hole about half inch deep and about inch so under the bottom of the transom bracket?

Ayuh,..... Maybe twice that deep,.... the wood should be 'bout 1.5",....

 

[flashback]

Pic's a little dark but your arrow seems to be pointing at the hull drain, you didn't forget to put the plug in did you?

 

[Mantooth]

Pic's a little dark but your arrow seems to be pointing at the hull drain, you didn't forget to put the plug in did you?

I was trying to point that arrow at the white spot which is the water drop running down

 

[Mantooth]

I took a video if anyone is interested in looking. It’s a little easier to see the dripping and running down.

 

[QBhoy]

Looks in the picture as if it’s coming from the integrals above in the inner transom shield. Do you also inspect the gear change bellow ? Or just the bigger ones ? It’s the gear change bellow that will let water in.

 

[Mantooth]

Looks in the picture as if it’s coming from the integrals above in the inner transom shield. Do you also inspect the gear change bellow ? Or just the bigger ones ? It’s the gear change bellow that will let water in.

I looked at both. The u joint bellow was dry with no signs of water. The shift cable bellow is newly replaced by previous owner. Since that was replaced no other waster intrusion noticed by previous owner.

 

[Mantooth]

Link to video showing leak

 

[flashback]

It doesn't look life threatening, my kitchen faucet drips more. Another option is the seal for the raw water tube, they can take a beating when changing the hose..

 

[QBhoy]

Very unusual finish or colouring below the inner transom assembly there. Looks all brown and not like the rest of the white finish on the transom. Is that from the leak staining or is it wood showing from a repair ? Probably wouldn’t be wood in the transom at that age of boat I’d assume though.
Just with regards to ruling out the shift cable bellow, just because the last owner said it’s good…I’d perhaps have it in mind that it may well be the first place I’d look towards. Perhaps even more so, given that it’s been disturbed recently. Changed or not…it’s definitely a candidate that could cause a leak.
Just finally, is the out drive and it’s components known to be original to the boat since new ? Any sign of nasty sealant around the outer transom shield where it’s attached to the boat ?

 

[isaacs]

Can you get someone into the water and have them wiggle the shift bellows around while you observe from the inside? If the drip rate changes, you've found your problem.