Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

[jawzzy]

I just put on a NEW one June 2003, and it's already rotted out enough to leak on the bottom end of it. So first question, WHY already???? Any ideas?<br /><br />Second question: I had the outdrive off the first time, but was wondering if there's a way to do it without removing the outdrive again? It looks close on the sizing of the hole for slipping it over, but wanted to get a heads up before trying, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

No idea why it cracked so soon... maybe chemicals some type, ultra-violet from the sun?<br />Is your boat docked or trailered?<br /><br />As for R&R, I've read where it's possible. You have to carefully stretch it it over everything. But I did it with the drive off.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

I know this is not helpful but this is hard to understand. My boot is just shy of 30 years old. It spent it's first 14 years in smoggy, sunny Southern California and it is still good.

 

[delsol]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

other then chemical wear, how about checking stringers to make sure motor is not lifting and tearing boot, just a thought mine did years ago<br />84 renkin bad floors

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

mine is trailered, which is another reason I'd think it should be fine. <br /><br />the stringer idea is interesting, as I know my two front mounts have both bolts up in the air, but they just won't tighten down. I've never really thought it was a problem, but I guess I should look at this closer, as it is the bottom from right to left on the boot that's all cracked, and the hole is right on the right bottom corner. This may also explain another problem I posted yesterday about a noise in my intermediate housing. <br />Thanks to all for the info, and I'll try to remember to post an update

 

[mcolp]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

You do not have to remove outdrive to replace <br />boot. I installed a new boot on my SeaRay last year. I would suggest that you use some silicone grease to ease sliding the boot over the lower unit/anticavitation plate and skeg.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

I also installed the rubber boot on my 400 stringer without taking off the outdrive. Mine is a 1980 model and been replaced one time so far. I also trailer and my boat is stored in the summer sun.

 

[skicat]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

I suspect you have rotten stringers. After using bigger bolts and filling the holes with wood, there came a point when I could no longer adequately bolt my engine in place. It finally tore loose tearing the rubber boot and almost sinking the boat. <br /><br /><br />12-years of omc trouble<br />1-year of trouble free mercruiser (so far)

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

I'm going to check out the bolts and mounts, as I think that may be the cause of my problem, although I don't think the stringers are rotten, just that I need to redo the holes. Right now there's only one bolt in each mount as it is, and they just won't tighten down all the way. It was like that when I got it, and never figured it was a problem, but I guess I should have known better<br />thanks for the advice guys

 

[delsol]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

i took my boat in to shop for boot 10 yrs ago and they called me hours later to say come look at you boat , i did and what i saw was not pretty, the engine with drive removed, with a large pry bar could be lifted really easy, too easy... the result i let him take motor out, he did i took boat home and redid stringers and floors and gave the boat back to him ,he remounted the engine drilled new holes and put new boat <br />omc dealer total coat from him $450.00 not counting what i did to stringers myself..<br />just some food for thought

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

more and more I think the engine mounts are my problem, but I may not be able to update here till spring, as I'm dealing with this and a new Sig 24 volvo I just picked up, and time is running out with all the jobs I need to do before time runs out for winterizing, but I will update as I discover more. Thanks again!

 

[delsol]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

thats what i would do let it go till next year and winterize boat

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

Update as promised. I redid the bolts on the motor mounts today, and replaced the transom rubber boot. I had the drive off anyway, so it was easy. I phoned GLM though about the boot, and he told me that they had had trouble with the rubber composition from the manufacturer (China) back in 2003, and that constant exposure to the sun was damaging many of them. He said the latest ones are better, but that the boot SHOULD be covered and protected from the sun when ever possible. Thanks for the all the help again guys

 

[KaGee]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

Thanks for the update. We all appreciate it. Glad to hear your problem is fixed.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

the stringer idea is interesting, as I know my two front mounts have both bolts up in the air, but they just won't tighten down. I've never really thought it was a problem, but I guess I should look at this closer, as it is the bottom from right to left on the boot that's all cracked, and the hole is right on the right bottom corner. This may also explain another problem I posted yesterday about a noise in my intermediate housing.<br /><br />You know I have a stringer 800 and I also noticed that there are lose bolts in the front and back mounts. I tighten them down the best I could but there is at least one on each side that is not mounted flush. They all look like they are in half *** crooked. What is the deal with that? I never have any problems. How could you fix those? Are those just huge screws? I thought they were a bolt that goes through the stringer and has a nut and lock washer it attaches to.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

Manipulator, are you talking about the three bolts, thru each of the four claw feet, that screw into the motor mount stringers? If so, all I've ever seen used are lag bolts. I would suspect that at least the wood around the bolt threads is rotten. <br /><br />The lag holes never get sealed and water gets in them. Just hope that there is not wider spread rot in the motor mount blocks.

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

like Boomyal said, there only seems to be 3 lag bolts, yet 4 holes, so I put in a fresh lag bolt in the 4th holes, and cleaned up the existing ones, then used metal sleeves in the holes with new lag bolts, and a generous amount of a steel compound epoxy. Today everything "seems" nice and tight, but after a few runs will be the real test I'm not really sure the wood was or wasn't rotted (seemed OK, but

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

These are what mount right into the stringer....You are right, they look like a claw feet....same for the rear mounts.....<br /><br />Jawzzy, did you have to jack the motor up? If so, how? I don't have a cherry picker.

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

I just pried the old lags out while reversing with an air ratchet, and then inserted the new ones with epoxy and sleeves. I did use the trim though to get the engine as high as it would go for some working room.

 

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: Replacing OMC Stringer 800 rubber boot???

I had to redo the mounts last year. I put the trailer tongue and motor trim as far down as possible, then i raised the trailer tongue. When the outdrive hit the ground i continued to raise the tongue which lowered the boat but the motor stayed at the same height since the outdrive was sitting on the ground.<br /><br />I used rot doc on the holes to stop the rot and seal the wood around the holes. Then I filled them in with marine tex. As the marine tex started harden, I ran the lag bolts in and back out with a light coat of lubricant on it to keep the marine tex from sticking. Once it was fully cured I had a threaded, and sealed hole for the lag bolts to reside in...