Phantom water ingress leak

[QBhoy]

so I have a leak...
simce start of season the boat has intermittently taken on water.
At first I put it down to me throwing buckets of water around the cockpit cleaning. And also that it’s a bow rider and always has taken on rain water.
Its far too much for that. Took on loads the other week when out on it. Couldn’t get it out the water that night and after a sleepless night I returned in the morning. Nothing in it !
took it out the water. Bellows look fresh and supple.
Back in. All is well...
down at it tonight. And auto bilge pump is running.
Normally the drive is naturally left turned slightly to the right because of my mooring. Tonight it was to the left. I’m thinking the stretch in the bellows is allowing a slight pin hole to leak ?
defo not from engine or transom.
Anything else I should think of before I pull the drive off ?
power steering rod ?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... The only way to find a leak, is to do whatever it takes to make it leak,.....

Then LOOK to see where the water is comin' in,.....
A digital camera can put yer eyes, where yer head won't fit,.......

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Were you able to look at the shift cable bellows and the main bellows closely? I ask as that would be the first place i would look assuming the plug is in.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi guys.

Yeah I had a good look at the bellows. Seems very supple. Even took the end off the gear cable below and pulled it back. No sign of water ingress there. He Merc dealer in the yard had a look too. Said they looked fine, but said I should pull the leg to look. Also said something about the steering mech being a potential cause too. I don’t take the leg off due to time. I just cable tied the gear cable bellow (instead of metal clip) and put thread ptfe tape on bung plug.
Didn’t manage to take it out today. I’ll get it out tomorrow and pull the leg...then report back.

thanks to both of you.

 

[alldodge]

The top of your transom plate wouldn't happen to bit a bit under the water would it?
If so maybe the gimbal ring seal