!988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

[khoonie]

Hello,

My 125 force apparently has a bad motor leg seal (#13) in the diagram. I noticed at the lake when I took the cowling off that there was A LOT of water splashing around down there. I am sure this is not a good thing. I have three questions: 1) Can anyone give me some direction as to how to remove the old one and replace the new one? (Basically, which parts have to be removed in order to do this). 2) The part is no longer available (part obsolete!) at the Crowley Marine site, are there any alternatives? I can't find it with a regular search. and 3) Does this require immediate attention, or could I take the boat out the way it is for one day on the lake?

Thanks!

http://forums.iboats.com/asset.php?fid=198824&uid=59949&d=1399050655

 

[MickLovin]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

On my Chrysler my mid leg had three bolts on either side and about 6 bolts inside the cowl to be undone, you can then take the mid leg cover off and replace this gaskets, also check the tube going to the outlet at the back, #7 can corrode and leak from there as well.

 

[khoonie]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

Thanks Mike. Do you have any suggestions as to where to find the "no longer available" part? I've already searched the usual suspects... Also, is this a critical issue which needs immediate attention, or in your opinion can I let it wait until after one more trip to the lake?

 

[MickLovin]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

I'd say from where you take your motor i.e fresh water, that is not as big of a concern as with mine in salt water outside fishing.
In saying that, if you have trouble finding a part, this part is really, a big rubber gasket stopping water from entering into the inside section and causing water to get on your plugs from the vibration of the motor and just general boating. My suggestion and others may disagree would be first make sure there isn't another motor with that gasket, it looks exactly like mine, or find a wreck and salvage off that, if all that fails, try a marine grade sikaflex, take the back cover off so you have access to the gasket/rubber section, then place a bead of sikaflex both top and bottom of the gasket and try to get some to the front, slide the cover back on and see how it went.

It does contend with the pressure from the water trying to push into that section as it is lower than water level. So don't be surprised if it doesn't work, but it won't hurt to try. I had a similar problem from the rubber exhaust boot above that seal, the spring loaded clamp rusted and I tried to replace with a non genuine clamp which didn't work, I ended up finding the right clamp and stopped the leak, Do what you can to stop it if you can't find a replacement seal.

Most of the time, that part/ seal is wrecked by others pulling the motor apart and not taking care putting the covers back on, these seals are grooved and the back of the motor slides into this groove, if it doesn't the seal ends up buckled or worse and won't seal.

 

[khoonie]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

Thanks again, Mike. Amazingly, I had considered checking out a local place that has junked boats - as well as using some sort of sealant to keep the water out! I really think the big oval seal that allows the front and rear components at the bottom of the motor leg to be put together as a unit to seal out the water is the biggest concern, though. I hope to find one at the junked boats place, but if not, I might even see if there might be a way to use a refrigerator grooved-door-seal as a substitute in some way. (I am learning the art of improvisation.) I also found a place in Florida that hunts down obsolete parts for you - I don't know how costly that might be yet, but it costs nothing for them to see if they can locate one. Meanwhile, I may take her to the lake before this problem is solved, taking care, if there is a lot of wave action, not to shake things up too much. I appreciate your help on this and I will update this thread as soon as I have some solutions or more questions.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

I am a stickler for using the correct part in the correct place, but sometimes men have to improvise.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

I wouldn't worry about replacing the seal.
Weather you replace it or not!!! it aint gonna stop the water from getting in there.
On the back shield there are 2 tiny holes with plastic plugs.
Remove them and the water will drain out.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

I may be mistaken but I believe the water 'should' be in the mid leg to help cool the exhaust gasses. Wouldn't the aluminum get hot and melt the rubber components (shocks)? If so that leaves the midleg seal to help prevent the gasses from bubbling into the cowl.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

It is below the power head by a good 8 - 10 inches and below or about even or below the water line when idling, I am under the impression this is to keep water out, why would you want water in that section for, you run the risk of it splashing up onto the plugs, or is that why the plugs boots are made . The only exhaust gas able to escape into the cowl would be from the boot going to the back, or a broken exhaust gasket from either between the power head or the exhaust port either way you would have a problem.

So sorry but I disagree on this one, I would think the less water in this section the better, mine was getting water into it because someone before me had taken the back of the motor off and not replaced it correctly, therefore it let water in, I took the back off warmed the rubber in boiling water and put it back on as when it was done before, they had folded the rubber causing the leak. Why have it there if it isn't to keep the water out?

I disagree, but I am not saying I am right :facepalm:

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal


Micks right here.
(The only exhaust gas able to escape into the cowl would be from the boot going to the back, or a broken exhaust gasket from either between the power head or the exhaust port either way you would have a problem.)
The water in that part of the mid section isin't for cooling.
Your right, your mistaken.
(I may be mistaken but I believe the water 'should' be in the mid leg to help cool the exhaust gasses. Wouldn't the aluminum get hot and melt the rubber components (shocks)? If so that leaves the mid-leg seal to help prevent the gasses from bubbling into the cowl.)
The exhaust is cooled and won't get that hot unless there is no water circulating.
The exhaust is directed out the snout and shouldn't be anywhere else.
IF???? It showing up in the mid leg then the #31 is probably bad or the gasket/seal under the power head is leaking.

 

[khoonie]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

I tend to agree about the water not supposed to be in that area. I can't think of any other reason to have that rubber seal down there.. I have managed to locate the exhaust hose assembly parts but that oval seal has eluded all my efforts to find it online. I have started looking for it on junked motors now. I may have to come up with some sort of improvised seal in the meantime. I will let you know how that goes. Thanks for your input on this one.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

Improvised seal is better than no seal at all if it keeps the water out

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: !988 Force 1254X8C: water in motor leg - replacing motor leg seal

The seal can be done with a piece of rubber hose.
That section isin't ever gonna be water tight.
The boots on the plugs are for insulating the plug from arking and shorting.
(you run the risk of it splashing up onto the plugs, or is that why the plugs boots are made)If the water's deep enough to get to the plugs??
YOUR SINKING!!!