Aq125/270 transom seal leak

[ajax5240]

'84 bayliner Capri with aq125/270 combo. Have water leaking in around the out drive to transom mount area. Tried last year with some sealant and it didn't last well. Was looking into doing it right, and it seems that I have to yank the engine to do so? Is that a correct finding? Are there any alternatives to pulling the motor that would last a season or so? The boat is not left in water overnight but I'd prefer not to need to worry about it. Are there any good sealants that can handle those conditions and vibration?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

'84 bayliner Capri with aq125/270 combo. Have water leaking in around the out drive to transom mount area. Tried last year with some sealant and it didn't last well. Was looking into doing it right, and it seems that I have to yank the engine to do so? Is that a correct finding? Are there any alternatives to pulling the motor that would last a season or so? The boat is not left in water overnight but I'd prefer not to need to worry about it. Are there any good sealants that can handle those conditions and vibration?

Thanks for any help!

Ayuh,.... The odds are, yer transom is Rotten,...

No amount of calkin' is gonna fix it, short term, nor long term...

 

[Don S]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

If your engine is one of the 125's without the front motor mounts, then a rotten transom is even more of a problem, since the transom is then ALL of the support for the engine and the drive.

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

Yep, most likely you need to pull the motor and replace the wood in the transom. Wouldn't be surprised if your stringers and deck are going too.

You can probably see the mounting bolts being sucked into the wood from the inside. I wouldn't be using that boat until I fixed it if I were you, because like Don said there is a lot of stress on that transom.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

Gotta fgiure out if the transom is leaking or the exhaust down tube is leaking??
Get a mirror and a flashlight and get under the motor.
Look at the down tube where it connects to the transom???
Possible leaking from an o-ring?

 

[ajax5240]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

OUCH! I'll get out there and take a look at those bolts as well as the exhaust down tube and keep my fingers crossed for the down tube being the issue. Thanks for the replys even though it may not have been what I was hoping to hear

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

Good luck... I've got the same exact boat as you and had the same problem with a rotten transom. The bottom bolts were pulled through the rotten wood and the transom unit pulled away from the boat leaving a gap. It's not easy to hear.

 

[ajax5240]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

Nicky.. Have you repaired your transom?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

To test the transom. Get a small hammer with a plastic head or something you can tap with.You don't want to do any damage.
Start tapping on the top of the transom. Some areas are thicker so look for the the thickest spots.Usually on both sides of the motor/drive and above the drive.
Start gently, listening to the sound. Then work your way around the drive. Noting any difference in sound.
If you find any difference, get an ice pick and go inside at the transom. Start poking and see if you find any soft spots.

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Aq125/270 transom seal leak

Yes I replaced the transom and pretty much everything else. If you want to get an idea for what you're in for you can stop by my resto thread. I've taken a lot of pictures.

Here's what my transom looked like when I dug into it. The bottom was complete mush. The whole missing bottom part was scraped out with a hammer.

​

There's always a chance that your transom is ok, you won't really know until you investigate it. But considering a boat of this vintage, it's very likely that it's rotten.