Strange Leak Inside Near Water Intake Hose

[waterclappers]

Hi everyone,

I'd like to start by saying thanks to everyone who takes the time to answer questions here. This forum has helped me immensely over the last couple months as I've worked to rectify the neglect of my boats previous owner.

I am now, however faced with a small leak in a place that is not addressed in my seloc manual or any threads I could find after a few searches so my hope is that someone here can shed some light...

My boat has an Alpha 1 Gen 1 mated to a 5.7 and when doing a quick check of the engine bay out on the river yesterday I noticed a small amount of water coming from a hole just below, and just to the right of the water intake pipe on the inside of the transom assembly. After further investigation I've noted that the leak occurs with the boat in, and out of water, and only with the engine running. The leak is not a steady stream but a slight spitting, or dripping if you will. If anyone could share some insight I would be grateful.

 

[Bt Doctur]

main bellows have water in it , that hole is a vent to the main bellow (I think) but the hole is usually directly above the inputshaft

 

[waterclappers]

Bellows vent..haven't heard of that one yet. I searched for that and found and reviewed this thread. It's all spot on. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/bellow-vent-hole-alpha-one-gen-1-merc.711042/

Pulled the drive and sure enough I've got a little bit of water in there. I recently replaced all bellows, gimbal bearing, shift cable, etc. I used 3m weather strip adhesive on the bellows and to glue my water inlet o ring and large o ring that seals the upper part of the drive to the bell housing. Looks like I'll be revisiting that process again.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Bt Doctur]