Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

[Knot Waiting]

Last week I upgraded to a 1991 Sea Ray 260ov. Mercruiser 7.4 Bravo 1. I bought it from an inland boat broker who did not allow sea trials on their boats, only dyno/compression tests. Anyway, I took it out today and noticed alot of water collecting in the bilge. A closer inspection found water dripping in from the steering lever. It looks like it is coming up from around the gimbal ring pivot. How big of a job is this? What should I do? I have a massive loan on this thing and I am very nervous. Will post pics of the leak when I get to a computer. Thanks all.

 

[Don S]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Yes, it's a big job. Even with the access plug kit. Click Here


Won't even comment on buying a boat on credit without a water test :facepalm:

 

[achris]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Surely you have recourse on the dealer....

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

I hope so. This problem surfaced on the first run so I am going to approach them politely at first with option to repair. They are a pretty big operation.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Don, have you seen leaks in the area I'm describing? I can't quite see deep enough into the transom to verify water coming up through there but that's where the water is dripping from.

 

[Don S]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Yes, they can leak in that area. Normally, that part of the drive is not under water.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Yes, they can leak in that area. Normally, that part of the drive is not under water.

When we were out today I looked at the transom assembly and almost all of it was under water (at least with two guys on the swim platform leaning over to have a look).

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6B4R3.PDF

 

[Don S]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6B4R3.PDF

He has a Bravo I, not an Alpha I

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/11/11b4r5x.pdf
for some reason I cant get the complete manual ,only sections.I can get them, but once copied and pasted they wont work.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Sorry to say, but it looks like you might be adding to the loan. Transom issues are rarely simple or inexpensive.. Often the engine has to come out. Are you planning on DIY or having a mechanic fix it?

Also, check the consumer laws in your state as they related to vehicles, etc. as that may give you some recourse with the dealer, as mentioned. I know in my state, the seller is on the hook for a certain amount of time after the sale for anything repair-wise over 10% of the purchase price.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Sorry to say, but it looks like you might be adding to the loan. Transom issues are rarely simple or inexpensive.. Often the engine has to come out. Are you planning on DIY or having a mechanic fix it?

Also, check the consumer laws in your state as they related to vehicles, etc. as that my give you some recourse with the dealer, as mentioned. I know in my state, the seller is on the hook for a certain amount of time after the sale for anything repair-wise over 10% of the purchase price.

Im going to try and play nice with the dealer at first in hopes that they will cooperate. They flat out denied a sea trial in lieu of their dyno test. They aren't really anywhere close to water so I assume this is their standard modus operandi and that carries some inherent risk. If they get ugly, then I may fight fire with fire. If they cover it, I'm going to have a professional do the work, otherwise I'd try tackling it myself. Pics attached.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Almost all of the Mercury dealers I've called seem confused about this. Some say its not possible for water to come in from the pivot, others say its probably a bellows leak?? and still others have gone all armageddon on it and said it needs a new gimbal ring and everything. Am I crazy, is there another place to check for water coming from this area or are they?

Note: I did find water dripping from the raw water pick up hose on the back of the inner transom bracket as well.

 

[Don S]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

You have to find where the water is coming in from. We can't do that for you.
We can tell you how to fix it, or what might be wrong after you pin point the leak.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

I believe the majority of the water was coming in from the pick up hose, it had a drip/stream coming out of it. However there was also water slowly pooling on the inner transom bracket under the shift lever. Its really hard to see in there but from the pics it looks like there is grease mixed with water around the swivel pin. Not even sure how the grease would get there considering there is no zerk on the assembly.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

It is in fact true that water can enter thru the steering arm area because the seal gets destroyed by rust from no grease fitting.
The shaft erodes the bushing, then the seal from rust. get that part of the transon under water and water enters the boat.The grease is rusty mud.did you open the link in my previous post? Go to page 4B-8, items #3,#4

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

The dealer agreed to fix the problem as long as I bring it back to them...... 300 miles from here. He says it's only an 8 hour job with a $25 part. Think he should have read the repair manual a little closer but whatever. Seems like it's worth the drive there.

 

[achris]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Supervise the repair... Watch everything done, and inspect any parts they put back in... Check all other parts left in for damage/corrosion...

If they do a bodge up job you may not find out until months down the track, then they'll say 'out of warranty'...

Chris......

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

Supervise the repair... Watch everything done, and inspect any parts they put back in... Check all other parts left in for damage/corrosion...

If they do a bodge up job you may not find out until months down the track, then they'll say 'out of warranty'...

Chris......

Chris,
I agree, I'm a little nervous that they are going to try and jury-rig the repair. Not exactly how they could considering the location of the problem but the thought had crossed my mind nonetheless. Thing is, given the distance of the dealer I wont be able to check in once I drop it off. I think I'm gonna mark the swivel pin nut with a paint marker to make sure certain parts are touched.

 

[achris]

Re: Argh! My new boat is leaking. Advice sought.

If it was me, I'd book a couple of days off work, take a packed lunch, book a hotel room... You get the picture...

Chris..
(But if it was really me, I'd be doing the work myself )