Leak Suggestions

[Boilers2000]

Have a '92 Sea Ray 200BR with 4.3LX and alpha 1 Gen 2 gimbal and bell housing and SEI 116 upper and lower unit. Had a leak that was coming from below the drive shaft. Replace gasket between y-pipe and transom plate but leak is still there...appears to be on the starboard side. Dont know what I should check next. Could it be a tiny pin hole u joint bellow leak? What else can I look at? Should I just pay to have someone rebuild the hold transom assembly? So frustrating bc you cant see or do anything without pulling the engine. Beyond frustrated right now, but I guess that's owning a boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Have someone jump up and down on outdrive and look. Any movement and you have a full restore

The fact tgat your boat is coming up on 27 years of age is a high probability for a full restoration

 

[Boilers2000]

Will give that a try...I have never jumped on it, but I have really wrestled it around and do not see any movement. Also have banged around on the transom and it sounds solid. What type of movement would I see...the transom flexing or a gap forming between the bell housing and fiberglass transom?

 

[Scott Danforth]

banging means nothing

only true method is a few test drills.

put your finger on the edge where the transom shield meets the transom. if there is any minute movement, you will know it.

any movement is bad.

when was the last time you serviced your bellows?

 

[Boilers2000]

Any ideas on cost? Any repair options other then full replacement?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Any ideas on cost? Any repair options other then full replacement?

No, not until you find out what is leaking.

if your transom needs to be replaced, there is no special magic anything other than elbow grease, tools and a new transom (and stringers, deck, etc)

 

[Boilers2000]

Recently removed the stern drive to pull the engine, stern drive probably hasn't been pulled since it was replaced and was wrestling like hell to get off and everything felt firm but I mess with it again to really focus on that area. Bellows service is on the list for this winter or spring.

 

[rickasbury]

So....bellows is a possibility as well as the shift cable boot- do the above as suggested and then pull the outdrive and inspect- went through the same and the main seal on the transom was leaking and my boat is an 06. Find the leak before it does damage the transom.

 

[Boilers2000]

The plan of attack now is remove the out drive and engine again and tear apart the gimbal housing. That should give me access to the through holes in the transom to inspect for rot and if no rot will do the bellows and main seal on the transom. Pulling the engine a second time should be easier, right?

 

[achris]

...Pulling the engine a second time should be easier, right?

Nope, should be exactly the same.

But I suggest you THOROUGHLY inspect the uni and shift cable bellows before you go pulling the engine... Pull the drive, because if you need to replace the bellows, the drive needs to come off anyway... (You didn't inspect the bellows while you have the drive off and the engine out before?)

 

[Boilers2000]

I did look at the universal bellow, but the shift cable bellow still was blocked by the bell housing. Turned bell housing to the side and tried to look. Any tips for checking bellows. The leak is on the starboard side and runs out from under the inner transom plate. I did notice when I was out the last time if I was on the starboard side of the swim deck the leak seemed to slow versus if I was on the port side. Leak also intensifies when moving so dont know if that could also be related to a bellow. I might try a small hole by the transom plate on the inside to see what the shavings look like before pulling the engine. All very frustrating right now.

 

[wahlejim]

Intensifies when moving on a gen II, I don't own a gen II but have read about them and it sounds like it is coming from the area around the speedo tube. Maybe another member can confirm this?

 

[Boilers2000]

Speedo tube as in speedometer? How does that come through the transom?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Drilling holes is not a big deal, certainly not one where you would worry about making them 'small holes'. 3/8ths or larger drill bit, I ended up using a 1 inch hole saw to really see. Holes should be low on the transom or stringers, 'cause that is where the water goes. And the big caution is not to drill through the hull, that takes some work to repair, although not enough to lose sleep over if it happens. After drilling, if everything is in good shape, just fill the holes with 3M 5200. Trust me, 5200 is a permanent repair.

Here's a post with some drilling pics at the bottom of page 1
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...nts-and-25-yo-transom?p=10060340#post10060340

where I started looking at water damage on my transom when I re-powered. You can see where I started at the bottom of the keyhole and worked my way out looking for wood damage. It doesn't show the holes I put in the stringers though, and they got the same treatment.

If you get clean dry wood at bottom of transom, your transom is golden. Same with bottom rear of stringers. My guess is you can at least get a hole or two into each with the motor in and find out if you have wood rot. I would want to know that before I tore into the outdrive and spent a bunch on maintenance.

 

[Boilers2000]

Plan tonight is to take the advice of Scott and put some pressure on the outdrive and see if there is any movement and try to find some spots by the key hole bolts to see if I cant do some small test holes. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

 

[Boilers2000]

Here is a picture of the inner transom...anything jump out to anyone?

 

[achris]

Pull the drive, pull the engine, refit the drive and take it to a ramp. Back the trailer in until the water level is the same as in normal operations, and watch for water coming in....

Chris......

 

[Boilers2000]

Took Scott's advice and put the drive in up position and got on the swim platform feet on the out drive and put my weight by into it. (I know Scott Said to jump, but couldn't bring myself to do that) Friend didn't see any movement....switched places and he did the same thing but weights 30 lbs more and was more aggressive with his bouncing enough to make the trailer suspension creak...saw no movement around the housing. Transom appears firm (I know drill test is only sure way). So which is the more likely culprit the transom seal or a bellow, or something else that goes through the transom? Is the best bet just to tear it all down and rebuild? I do like Chris's idea and will probably do that once the engine is out. Taking to get winterized soon will probably ask the shop to look at the transom to get their thoughts. Fun winter project ahead for me!

 

[wahlejim]

Speedo tube as in speedometer? How does that come through the transom?

Water for the speedometer goes through the circled hole in the bellhousing, goes through transom right about where you are describing your leak. Leak would increase as you are under way as water pressure builds up. Parts for the speedometer are circled.