Leaks near transom

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camarors8992

Cadet
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
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I bought a 1987 Regal Sebring 185 roughly 5 days ago that had sat for 8 years. I brought the boat down to a nearby lake and left it on the trailer, but got the water up past the outdrive and checked for leaks. I found it had two smallish leaks on both sides, and it would get much worse when the outdive was turned the the left. I pulled the boat, and brought it back home. I gave my uncle a call since I have absolutley no knowledge of boats. He reccomended I change the exhaust bellow, cable bellow, and U joint bellow. I looked up in there the best I could and I did find a hole in one of the bellows, but would that cause the leak ? Some friends are telling me it could have also been a seal around the driveshaft leaking and it would be upwards of a $1,000 to fix that.m I don't know much about boats, but I know cars, and I'm mechanically capable. Just need some guidance as to where I should start.
 
Fishermark

Fishermark

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5,617
Re: Leaks near transom

Yeah - do some reading in the links that Bt Doctur posted. Your Uncle is right by the way - you need to replace the various bellows and other maintenance items like the water pump impellor, etc. You will see how in the service manual in the links. If you have questions, ask along the way.

When you pull the drive, see if there is any water in the driveshaft bellows. (There shouldn't be).
 
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camarors8992

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Jul 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Leaks near transom

I guess I'm going to need a little more help than that. How do I change the bellows? Do I need any special tools before I go and pull the drive ? Is pulling the drive as easy as the 6 bolts, hydraulic rams, and unhooking all the hoses ?

Photo0321.jpg


Those PDFs really don't answer my questions, they just seem to create confusion since I know almost nothing about outdrives.
 
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camarors8992

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Re: Leaks near transom

I got the drive off.

Photo0323.jpg


Yeapp, water shouldn't be in the U joint bellow and the exhaust bellow is in 3 pieces.

Photo0324.jpg
 
Bt Doctur

Bt Doctur

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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,369
Re: Leaks near transom

Once you get to the section you need, just click on it. Got lucky having it in fwd to remove the drive. Better yet, the bearing wasnt rusted to the shaft.
Again, learn how to use the links and sections because doing something out of sequence WILL cost you some big bucks .
 
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camarors8992

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Jul 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Leaks near transom

We put it in fwd gear afterwared to get the cable out a little further trying to figure out how it comes off to get the new bellow on. I didn't see it mentioned in the manual. Yea, anything "boat" is jacked in price and I already know sourcing my gaskets, bellows, o rings and such online will save me tons of money.
 
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camarors8992

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Jul 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Leaks near transom

I've read that service manual 3 times, can someone tell me how to remove the drive cable off the outdrive so I can put the new bellow on?
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
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Re: Leaks near transom

I've read that service manual 3 times, can someone tell me how to remove the drive cable off the outdrive so I can put the new bellow on?
Click to expand...

Did you read the section about changing the Bellows, All of 'em....
It's all there, Explained in Sequence...

You have to remove the gimbel housing...
 
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camarors8992

Cadet
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Leaks near transom

Bond-o said:
Did you read the section about changing the Bellows, All of 'em....
It's all there, Explained in Sequence...

You have to remove the gimbel housing...
Click to expand...


I didn't see a section about replacing the bellows, that's exactly what I need. I'm not to sure how to navigate through adobe. Any chance you can show me how to find it ? I appreciate the help, That's the only thing keeping me from getting the boat into the water.
 
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camarors8992

Cadet
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
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Re: Leaks near transom

I just thought I'd update you guys. I took the boat out for the first time yesterday, and the short trip went awesome!

Photo0401-1.jpg


Photo0404-1.jpg


Photo0405-1.jpg
 
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libellav15

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Messages
177
Re: Leaks near transom

well done!

great looking boat - what is it?

cheers

adam
 
6

6meter

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 15, 2010
Messages
525
Re: Leaks near transom

Nobody told him to so I doubt it greatly. And I'm sure the manual didn't suggest it either.
 
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