Broken down starcraft

[elkhunter338]

My 1st trip with her this year was cut short with only 1 trip bottom fishing. The outdrive started making noise. Come to find out water in the u-joint bellows. No water in the shift shaft area/shift cable area.
Now I have to find out where the water was leaking in, bellows look good with no cuts, or tears, only 5 years old. Stored inside most of the time in the down position.

Does any one know if water can leak into the u-joint bellows from any place other than the bellows or the ends/hose clamp area?

Does anyone have any pictures of an outboard bracket being used to convert a I/O starcraft to a outboard. If so did the outboard conversion work well?

I am about ready to sink the I/O and go to twin outboards, I have had nothing but trouble with the 140 hp merc. I/O, it has never been the same problem twice.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Broken down starcraft

And to think I catch crap for my obvious bias against I/Os

Too bad you're on the wrong side of the country! http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/boa/1826808976.html Does this ad ring any bells to anyone?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Broken down starcraft

And to think I catch crap for my obvious bias against I/Os

Too bad you're on the wrong side of the country! http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/boa/1826808976.html Does this ad ring any bells to anyone?

ummmm...You have an "obvious" bias against car engines being used in boats?
I would say "Blatant" lol

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Broken down starcraft

Thanks for the comments, that 225 would make my old starcraft fly.
I have nothing against car engins in a boat, what i am forming an opinion is the i/o unit. A car engine or better yet a diesel with a direct inboard is probably pretty trouble free, especially with fresh water cooling.

However my main question was is there any other way for water to leak into the u-joint bellows other than from a bad bellows or the ends.
The water did not leak from the inside of the boat, I store the boat indoors with the plug out so there is no way the inside filled up with water. I just installed a new sei last spring and there was no sign of water in the u-joint bellows.

I am thinking for a pure fishing boat a set of twin honda 50's on a outboard bracket. Or evinrude e-tecs, but it is all about the $$ or lack of.
I will have to get the i/o back running.

 

[Kainon]

Re: Broken down starcraft

The only way for water to get into the bellows is through a leaking bellows, cracks/holes or loose clamp OR through the gimbal bearing from the engine but as you mentioned you've had the plug out.

I had a friend with a cobra drive that the bellows clamp loosened.

The water hose goes from the gimbal helmet to the transom, cant get into the bellows.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Broken down starcraft

I like the I/O - quiet, clean, not two stroke, no red plastic gas tanks that leak.I went all day Monday tubing and waterskiing and used 6 gallons of gas. After rebuilding the whole driveline - I understand the whole set-up. I think once you get it dialed in you'll be happy. Probably be mad at O-B's if they were mis behaving too!

 

[Kainon]

Re: Broken down starcraft

self-correction/addition.. the only other way for water to get in there would be the BIG O-Ring at the top section of the drive, where it goes into the upper bellows. If you pinch that O-ring ( like i did ) or forget to put it in.. that would do it.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Broken down starcraft

Well finished pulling the u-joint bellows off, and now the ring where the bellows seals at the transmon is corroded at the 5-7 o'clock position, and I think there is not enough ring left for the bellows to seal. I see this is a common problem when water gets into the bellows.
I saw a ghrkit to repair the problem but they wanted $300.
Or I saw used Gimble housings about $250, with no bearing or such.

Any other options, can you remove and replace the ring where the bellows seals. It appears there is a rubber o-ring behind the ring.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Broken down starcraft

Well finished pulling the u-joint bellows off, and now the ring where the bellows seals at the transmon is corroded at the 5-7 o'clock position, and I think there is not enough ring left for the bellows to seal. I see this is a common problem when water gets into the bellows.
I saw a ghrkit to repair the problem but they wanted $300.
Or I saw used Gimble housings about $250, with no bearing or such.

Any other options, can you remove and replace the ring where the bellows seals. It appears there is a rubber o-ring behind the ring.

I tell ya Elk..
The Mercruiser I/O forum is the place to ask..Guys in there LIVE for this stuff..

BEST of luck to you amigo!

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Broken down starcraft

I have asked the question in I/O section, but you starcraft guys sometimes are ontop of stuff and have some good input. We do not want to see a starcraft sitting in the shop all summer. I just have to decide what I am going to do with her.
It looks like I might be sending the upper half (sei) back to sei for warranty to get new u-joints, and for them to check to make sure the yoke is not rusted to where it will wipe out the upper yoke seal in the outdrive.

I did get the big o-ring installed correct because there was no water at all around the shift cable area in the outdrive, all the water stayed in the u-joint bellows.