Strange Problem, need some help with

[Bondo]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

The U-joint bellows appears to be in good shape, could not find any cracks or looseness. The leak is fairly resent as I greased the U-joints and gimbal bearing and had just a few droplets of water that were pushed out by the new grease. I don't think anything has been damaged but....the really hard question...where is the "dang" leak coming from?
- The large "O" ring on the u-joint housing had no grease on it,
- the gasket that is used between the drive and bell housing ( I think that is what its called )....again, no grease or RTV,
- and the "O" ring that seals the fresh water pick up had zero grease on it as well.
The six nylocks that hold the drive on were loose, or certainly not what I would call tight. Is it possible that the water that leaked into the u-joint bellows could have been caused by the things I mentioned above? Sorry, I know this thread is getting a bit on the long side. Thanks again for any help! Rick

Sad part is that bellows and out-drive were professionally serviced this summer, shabby work to say the least.

Ayuh,.... The 6 nuts should be run up to 'bout 45/ 50 ft.lbs... standard for 7/16" studs/ bolts,....

I guess I'm gonna go with the shabby workmanship on the last guy in there,...
If he didn't grease what shoulda been greased, I'm thinkin' he forgot to tighten the nuts too....

Clean it up, grease it, put it back together, 'n Run it,...

Btw,... I use grease to hold the 2 o-rings, 'n nothin' on the gasket,.....

Ole Don S, 'n many of the Tech's that post here use glue on the o-rings, insteada grease,...
Better holdin' power they say,...
I've never had 'em fall outa place goin' together, 'n the times I thought they did, I just pulled it back off to verify,...
Once the drive is On, they ain't goin' nowhere,...

One more thing, with the rust in the shift cavity, I'd expect the lower cable to go Bad sometime soon,....

 

[Fastatv]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Thanks Bondo, for your input. I think that's pretty much what I will do. New gasket and "O" rings, everything cleaned, and grease up the "O" rings, put it back together and hopefully resolve the issue. After I get it in the water and test it, I will get back on here and let you know the results. Thanks again to all that helped! Rick

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Thanks Bondo, for your input. I think that's pretty much what I will do. New gasket and "O" rings, everything cleaned, and grease up the "O" rings, put it back together and hopefully resolve the issue.

Might as well replace that shift cable and boot (cable bellows) while you're in there.
Nothing like losing control over your shifting ability around other boats or a dock.

 

[Fastatv]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Might as well replace that shift cable and boot (cable bellows) while you're in there.
Nothing like losing control over your shifting ability around other boats or a dock.

Thanks SS but the shift cable and shift bellows are new....well, replaced this summer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Thanks SS but the shift cable and shift bellows are new....well, replaced this summer.

Ayuh,.... By the looks of the shift cavity, I'm thinkin' water probably migrated up the cable, inside the bellows,..??

I'd probably change it, myself,....

 

[Fastatv]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Finally got my gaskets and materials in. Must have taken me two hours to clean everything up prior to reassembly. Anyway, got it together and it was a fight :faint2:. I installed the drive, completely together and with the prop still on it and I thought, I do not remember it being this difficult. After I had finished, I remembered that years ago, I installed the upper, then the lower unit, then the prop. Anyway, I still have the slight "bubbling" of water coming from the u-joint bellows drain hole on the inside of the boat. I must have missed the hole in the bellows :grumpy:. Called a shop or two to get a price on installing the new u-joint bellows and an inspection of that area. Rick

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Anyway, I still have the slight "bubbling" of water coming from the u-joint bellows drain hole on the inside of the boat. I must have missed the hole in the bellows :grumpy:

Earlier you wrote:

Ran the engine on the muffs for a few minutes today. Still had the slight trickle of water that it had before.....

Sounds to me like you have an usual problem. Perhaps a leak in the water tube or something. If you are saying it is leaking when on the muffs, then that is not a bellows issue. Look at the picture BTdoc posted. Note the water tube, which is plastic, is right by where you say it is leaking. Is it possibly coming from that tube?

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Also,just a note,them nuts that hold the drive on don't last forever,they can be torqued to specs,but still come loose. I've changed quite a few set's of them when servicing customers drives as I don't need it coming loose,and then reparing the damage from water intrusion.
If they feel to loose upon instalation,replace em.
Grub

 

[Fastatv]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Earlier you wrote:



Sounds to me like you have an usual problem. Perhaps a leak in the water tube or something. If you are saying it is leaking when on the muffs, then that is not a bellows issue. Look at the picture BTdoc posted. Note the water tube, which is plastic, is right by where you say it is leaking. Is it possibly coming from that tube?

I guess its possible that the leak may be coming from that water tube, if in some way it can let water into the bellows. The "sign/indication" of the water is definitely coming out of the bellows drain hole. And yes, I saw the dribble while on the muffs, but someone on here said the dribble was caused by the shaft turning and more than likely was splashing the water up to the drain hole....and I went with that as it did make sense to me. I imagine that is has something to do with the tube/hosing u pointed out, or I simply didn't see a hole or crack in the bellows. At this point, I'm getting quotes on how much it will cost to let a dealer do it...if I can find one that I can trust. Rick

 

[UNSUREBOATGUY]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

Back to the rust in the shift cavity-would it be a good idea to replace the shift shaft bushing? I did on mine and no more water in the shift cavity. It was pretty easy to do.

 

[Fastatv]

Re: Strange Problem, need some help with

This will be my last update on the leaking water issue. Took it to the dealer. When he pulled the drive, it appears that I had rolled the large square 'O' ring the rests on the carrier housing. This was caused by me trying to manhandle a complete drive, including the SS prop. Heavy, cumbersome. Had the u joint bellows replaced anyway and.....there were no tears in the old one. As mentioned, the shift cable bellows was only a few months old as was the exhaust bellows, did not replace. The leaking was caused by:
- very poor workmanship by "A" dealer, greasing nothing on reassembly, and loosely hanging the drive,
- second leaking should have been resolved by my work....I did the cleaning and greasing correctly, but hung the heavy drive alone. Next time ( which I hope is a very long time ), I will remove the lower unit and prop, and hang the upper portion only.....then hang the lower unit, then install the prop. Lessons learned. Thanks to all of you for your input! Rick