AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

[okietator]

Hope I am posting this right as it is my first time. Have a AQ231B with a 285 SD. Disconnected water hose at hose connection on stern drive. Blew thru it and could hear air being released. Quick test with smoke confirmed, but could not isolate exactly. Is it most likely (hopefully) the gasket at the hose connection? or could it be the seals at the steering tube. thanks for any help

 

[Maclin]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

Did you tape over and seal the intake grates, and also plug the small drain hole towads the bottom of the drive for that test? If not, then when you blow thru that hose there the air will just go out the intake grates and/or the bottom small drain hole.

 

[okietator]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

I had the drive in a tub of water. When I blew smoke thru hose I could see the smoke at the hose connection area, but could not tell if it was at the hose connection gasket or just below where the steering knuckle starts. Since I posted my question, I inspected the gasket more closely and it does have a tear between the O ring and the flat gasket.

 

[Maclin]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

A good test is to tape over the grates and plug that bottom drain hole, and use garden hose at small pressure and run water thru the same hose you blew in, make sure the garden hose to drive hose is sealed.

I am sure the neck and gasket at minimum would need replaced. The test should show if the water is coming out from the tube or connections inside. I would replace the drive hose also while you are in there, I mean if the test shows work is needed.

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

Replace the gasket! It's not re-usable. Then you will know if that was the problem or not.
Also, while you have the hose connector off, see if you have a lot of excess play around the bushing.

 

[okietator]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

I ordered the gasket yesterday. How can I determine amount of play at the bushing? My experience with boats is my 14' john boat I use to duck hunt. Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

With the hose connection off, just look around the pivot shaft under the connection and the gap around the bushing. If there is a gap and you can move the drive up and down and see the gap, you need a new bushing.

 

[okietator]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

Ok, gasket fixed the issue. Which has lead to a new one. Let the motor run for about 25/30min but could not get it to stay running at an idle. Figured it was just some bad fuel issues. It sat for maybe 5 mins then re-started, ran about 30 sec. and then I got a solid shot of cappuccino, out of both vent hoses. Have not pulled any plugs yet to see if I have water in the cylinders, and was planning on plulling intake this weekend. Open to thoughts,suggests,condolences etc..
Thanks Tator

 

[Maclin]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

Cappuccino out of both vent hoses indicates a major water intrusion into the crankcase. One possibility is cracked cooling passages inside the block.

What is the recent history of this boat regarding your purchase and prior, especially around the subject of draining the block for winterization?

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

Classic cracked block symptoms. Most common cause, not draining the block and it freezing.

 

[okietator]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

bought in 09 unknown history, but looking at the boat itself, looked good. put it in the water once in 09 putted around for hour hour and 1/2. seemed to run great. I winterized it that year and it had not ran again til this summer when I found the gasket leak at the water intake. Did not drain the block to winterize put on the muffs and a hose w funnel and anti freeze. I would think if I had cracked the block, I would have seen water right off, unless I guess thermo had not opened yet? A gasket would be soooo nice

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

Did not drain the block to winterize put on the muffs and a hose w funnel and anti freeze. I would think if I had cracked the block, I would have seen water right off, unless I guess thermo had not opened yet?

You found your problem. That is NOT the way you winterize an engine, read this thread. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=369864

 

[captmello]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

ouch! that sucks.

Well, now's your chance to upgrade to a 350...

 

[okietator]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

Yep it does. Oh well, It is a lesson well learned. My next question is can I find a 305 and and swap out parts i.e. exhaust manifolds, raw water pump, etc. Or is there a diff. between marine 305 vs. truck.

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

The only differences is the cam (a truck cam will work fine) the head gaskets (no steel, SS or composite) and the core plugs (need to be brass). You do want to try and keep the same vintage engine, or you will have all kinds of issues with your marine parts fitting.

 

[okietator]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

I have a 350 in an old school bus which runs great. Could you be a little more specifice regarding the marine parts to fit. I would like to get this accomplished with as little out of pocket as possible. This is my " starter boat" and I am on a steep learning curve. If I need to track down a 305 marine version I will, but would like to use what I have. Thanks so much for your help. Tator

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

The marine parts you need is everything but the long block. Ignition, alternator, starter, wiring harness, fuel pump, carb, probably the intake manifold, senders, engine circulation pump, pulleys, brackets, flywheel, flex plate .............

 

[okietator]

Re: AQ231B Sucking air at hose connection below upper gear box

OK thanks but that is my question. I have all of those parts right now on a bad block, can I interchange them with the stock components on my 350. I guess that is where I am a little confused, 305/350 block is the same, regardless of water/land use. thanks again