Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

[TitusAdronicus]

Hey all!

So I finally got this old boat ('88) in the water last week, got the trailer stuck in the mud, (witch is another story all together) and almost sunk the thing do to the bilge completely filling with water. Now I know what your thinking, was the plug in? Yes definately. It was a LOT of water. The hull looks fine, very few scratches at all. I took the drive off this afternoon, I was going to replace the gimbal bearing anyway (it was making that noise) there was water in the bellows, but would that fill the bilge up?? the transom looks fine too, everything seems tight. Are there any other ways for water to get in? what about where the steering bearing is, the gasket on the cover was a little messed up. I unfourtuneately diddernt get a good look when it was in the water, i was more concerned about getting back to shore, it was probably in the water for about 5 min.

Any help at all would be great, thanks!!

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

Was it running when it filled up?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

There are lots of places they can leak. The bellows being bad is one of them. Another common place I have found on several OMC's is the exhaust Y right at the bottom. They corrode out and allow water to run in.

Don't you have a bilge pump? One with a float switch is something EVERY boat should have.

 

[TitusAdronicus]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

Yep it was running. I was stupid and diddent bother to take a look at the bilge as soon as i put it in the water. got too excited and jsut wanted to GO, lesson learned. And the bilge pump is clogged or somthing, there was a bunch of flotsom in the bilge, again, lesson learned. even if theres no "y" to the pipe (inline 4) im assuming that the bottom part of the exhaust tube is where all the action is, ill take a closer look.

Also, after reading some posts, i think the shift cable bellows was a bit low, not suer low, but just about the top of the transom plate, could that let in that kind of water??

thanks so much for your help.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

As long as the shift cable hose is above the water line, it will keep water out. Usually the top of the transom shield is well above the waterline.

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

Sarted mine up for the first time one summer...luckily I was watching it. started up fine, ran great....looked back and there was water pouring out the starboard side of the motor. Shut it down Immediately. Seems someone (me) didn't winterize the motor and it froze. Popped the rear starboard freeze plug (can't remember what don calls them). Luckily I found the plug...cleaned the hole and tapped it back in and its run fine for the past 4 years. Whew....got lucky:redface:


Possibly the same thing?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

If you have the drive off and are replacing the gimbal bearing go ahead and replace all of the bellows.Then take it to the lake when the ramp is not busy,back it in leaving it on the trailer and look for the leak.

 

[TitusAdronicus]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

THanks for all your help, ome more thing, is it nessicary to use the alignment tool every time the drive is takin off?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Mystery leak OMC Cobra 3.0

Yes,It needs to be checked so you don't wear out the shaft and coupler.
You can pick them up on Ebay for about 40 bucks.
I have one i used twice and may be listing it on ebay soon..
I no longer own a stearn drive..