Stringer Intermediate Housing Taking on Water

[Mkongsiri]

Hi all,

Tried the first water test of my 77 Carver with OMC 235 Stringer after a year long restoration today. As we were backing the boat down the ramp, I saw that we were taking on water through what appeared to be the intermediate housing inside the boat. We of course immediately pulled it back out of the water. The entire outdrive was disassembled and resealed over the course of the past year so I was a bit perplexed. It goes without saying that there is something most likely not sealed correctly. But I guess my question is, as the boat is being launched, the angle of the ramp puts the entire outdrive underwater until of course it starts to float. I guess I'm looking for confirmation that even fully submerged, there should be no water coming in from the intermediate housing. I'm just not sure as the exhaust ports are fully underwater and I want to make sure before I tear apart the whole rear end again. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[southkogs]

You sure the boot is on correctly - or has no holes? That's what it sounds like to me.

The entire sterndrive should be underwater when the boat is at rest, and no water should make it in through the intermediate.

 

[Mkongsiri]

Yeah, the transom boot is installed and sealed correctly. The water was dripping from the bottom of intermediate inside the boat. Thanks for confirming, I'll be taking it apart this week.

 

[southkogs]

'77 was the last year for the Electric Shift ... is that what you have or do you have the hydromechanical? If it's the Electric shift, what I would check is where the shift wires pass through the intermediate. That wire set has a "plug" built into the wires for the hole it goes through. My plug isn't very good, so I hit is with some silicone when i put it back in (silicone seems to work okay and is easier to take off). But not properly plugged that joker will run some water through it.

 

[Mkongsiri]

I've got an electric shift. I pulled the upper and lower gearcases off yesterday and undid the transom boot seal. I checked the cable lead for the electric shift, it's still sealed in pretty good with 5200. I think I found the problem, the hoses and fiberglass elbow that connects the exhaust manifold to the bellhousing weren't tightened, just pressed on. In my excitement to get the boat into the water it looks like I overlooked checking the hose clamps. I assume water was coming out of there as it looks like the exhaust port on the back goes right into those tubes. I didnt think water from the manifolds exited out into the exhaust but I guess I'm wrong!

 

[southkogs]

That makes sense. I wouldn't have thought of it ... glad you did.