Alpha One Drive - Gimbel Housing Transom Seal

[maruefer]

After sending boat to a local Merc repair shop for winterizing, they mentioned that the transom seal should be replaced. reason is because a feeler gauge, less than a 1/16th can be slid behind some of the left and right areas. Had boat in lake for four months this past summer and not a drop of water in the boat when removed. Boat is 27 years old (SeaRay 210 Monaco). Transom looks fine, no warps inside or out. Boat did sit in storage for 8 plus years before purchased back in 2012 and storage was heated in winter. My question, is this feeler gauge test how to determine the seal quality? perhaps bolt tightening is needed? also, why does the motor assembly need to be removed in order to be replaced?

 

[alldodge]

After sending boat to a local Merc repair shop for winterizing, they mentioned that the transom seal should be replaced. reason is because a feeler gauge, less than a 1/16th can be slid behind some of the left and right areas. Had boat in lake for four months this past summer and not a drop of water in the boat when removed. Boat is 27 years old (SeaRay 210 Monaco). Transom looks fine, no warps inside or out. Boat did sit in storage for 8 plus years before purchased back in 2012 and storage was heated in winter. My question, is this feeler gauge test how to determine the seal quality?

If a feeler gauge can be slid under the gasket the there is an issue. If this is the case you should be able to do it, and it needs to go under it more the 1/2 to 3/4 inch. If it's only doing it 1/4 inch then the gauge is only coming in contact with the gasket. You should also be able to find some softwood somewhere. Use a screw drive and poke around.

perhaps bolt tightening is needed?

If the bolts need to be tightened then the transom is getting soft and there is an issue.

also, why does the motor assembly need to be removed in order to be replaced?

If the transom is soft the engine along with the transom assembly and outdrive will need to be removed to rip out the wood and fiberglass. The boat transom is made of wood which is sandwiched between fiberglass on both sides. If the wood has gotten wet it needs to be torn out. Now if you keep the boat on a lift or trailer I wouldn't worry so much about it until I started seeing water showing up. Just my opinion

 

[Fishermark]

Alldodge has it right. Your shop is saying the seal needs to be replaced. That's not correct in and of itself....

The only reason for the transom assembly to loosen is for the transom to be rotten. That you can check easily on your own. Forget what it looks like - looks alone can be deceiving. The ultimate test is to drill a few small test holes in your transom form the inside. (Making sure not to go all the way through! ). If everything coming out is dry then you have nothing to worry about. If the sawdust comes out wet... then you need a transom rebuild. Not just a seal replacement.

If you have no leaks at this time you might simply keep an eye on things. It will be important to check your alignment as well, since a rotten transom will affect the engine alignment.

 

[britisher]

When I bought my 89 SR 180 2 years ago, we found that the transom was mush and I had to do a full rebuild as all the other wood was rotten too. That said when we looked at the gimbal housing where it seals up against the boat transom on the outside, we noticed that calk had been squeezed round it. Obviously the PO had noticed some water ingress and decided to do a sticking plaster job on it rather than fix it. The whole gimbal unit when removed was stripped down to individual components and completely rebuilt. One of the new items was a new seal. They cost like $30 or so. They are not expensive. They a rubber gasket pure and simple. Like any gasket they are held tight to make the seal. Over time the rubber will lose its elasticity and will begin to fail as a seal.If the boat is 27 years old the seal is probably past its sell by date and needs replacing. The transom may or may not have water damage to the wood. only by removing the stern drive and gimbal will you be able to review it properly.

 

[Bondo]

After sending boat to a local Merc repair shop for winterizing, they mentioned that the transom seal should be replaced. reason is because a feeler gauge, less than a 1/16th can be slid behind some of the left and right areas. Had boat in lake for four months this past summer and not a drop of water in the boat when removed. Boat is 27 years old (SeaRay 210 Monaco). Transom looks fine, no warps inside or out. Boat did sit in storage for 8 plus years before purchased back in 2012 and storage was heated in winter. My question, is this feeler gauge test how to determine the seal quality? perhaps bolt tightening is needed? also, why does the motor assembly need to be removed in order to be replaced?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I guess My question is,... Why the 'ell are they pokin' at the transom seal with a putty knife in the 1st place,..??

I've never heard of that Test before,....

 

[Bt Doctur]

to illustrate the gasket area

 

[Speakrdude]

Are you from my neck of the woods? That's the second time, recently, I've heard that (miss) diagnoses. A friend of mine said the shop told HER the transom seal needed to be replaced.
I put it in the water, fired it up, exhaust hose clamps on the y-pipe were loose. Problem solved.

 

[Grub54891]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I guess My question is,... Why the 'ell are they pokin' at the transom seal with a putty knife in the 1st place,..??



I've never heard of that Test before,....

They are looking for winter work......wish we had that problem..busy here! Anyway,check the transom as stated in other posts. If for anything peice of mind. Mine did need a transom rebuild,but getting her done!

 

[Fun Times]

Perhaps bolt tightening is needed?

If no water is found inside the transom wood like Fishermark described, then re-torquing the screws and nuts that you can reach to 25 ft. lbs. might be worth checking just to be sure. The transom thickness should be between 2" and 2-1/4" thick....

also, why does the motor assembly need to be removed in order to be replaced?

The rear of the engine rests on/bolts to the transom assembly plate....Plus some of the screws and nuts that hold on the transom assembly can be difficult to reach with engine in place....Also the exhaust Y pipe needs to be removed and a few other small items in order to remove the assembly from the rear of the boat. It's a big job on most boats.

because a feeler gauge, less than a 1/16th can be slid behind some of the left and right areas.

Page 2A-1 of service manual # 6 is where the transom gap measurements can be found. The manual calls for within 1/16 in. in that area. Here's the rest of the measurements, http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/ma...iser6.html#/16

 

[maruefer]

nuts checked were at 25 ft lbs. no water in the area and transom not wet at all when small hole drilled. do they seals rot after 25 plus years? price to complete and basically install all of the replacement parts while doing this around $1500. fair or out of line?

 

[Fishermark]

...do they seals rot after 25 plus years? ...

In a word - NO. This falls under the category of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[alldodge]

+1^ and suggest finding another mechanic

 

[Bondo]

+1^ and suggest finding another mechanic

Ayuh,.... The seals don't rot,.... Wood in the transom rots,.....

I'd go with an ice pick, 'n poke the transom, from inside,....
No way ya oughta be pokin' the seal with a putty knife on a boat that don't leak,....