Water comming In Boat??

[ole miss gal]

Okay, just took my boat out today. Noticed a good amount of water comming in from what looked like the trans shield area. Got to looking and my shift cable bellow is torn. Just wanted to make sure that water would indeed enter the boat if it's cracked or bad?? (water was comming in pretty good there) It's darn near torn all the way into. Also noticed that the boat didn't want to go in Forward gear like it should (had to keep 'dinking' with it to get it to take gear. Went in Reverse fine. Also, how hard is it to replace that cable/bellow assembly? Any advice is appreciated.<br /><br />BTW. The boat's a '91 VIP, 4.3 Mercruiser, Alpha 1 Gen 2.

 

[KRS]

Re: Water comming In Boat??

IF water got in there... I believe it's currently sitting in your drive too.... time to drain it... NOW!<br /><br />Someone with more knowlege will be along shortly.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Water comming In Boat??

Sierra has a completet boot seal kit 18-8206 ,boots, gimbal, water hose,clamps,gasket. around 180.00<br />usually by the time you need a shift boot , the cable should be replaced at the same time.65.00<br />you should have the manual handy for reference,decribes the procedure to properly do this job.<br />1/2 inch allen wrench may work on the hinge pins, youll need a really deep 9/16ths socket for the shift cable(2 sockets welded on top of another)<br />bellows adhesive(contact cement)for the U joint and shift boot.4hrs, maybe.

 

[ole miss gal]

Re: Water comming In Boat??

I see, The drive shaft bellow is fine though. Took the drive off this winter, greased the joints, waterpump, etc, no water in the bellow and the gimbal looked and spun fine.. There's no water in the oil at all either.<br />Just needed to know if water will leak through a busted shift bellow into the hull, that's it. I'm not replacing all that other stuff cuz I know it don't need it. Where's Don??

 

[Don S]

Re: Water comming In Boat??

Absolutly water will come in if the shift cable bellows has a hole in it.<br />If the bellows is leaking, you will have to pull the drive and the old cable to replace it.<br />If that cable has been in use for 3 seasons, best to replace it at the same time. <br />In the future, if you replace the shift cable (always first to go) replace the bellows at the same time. Saves going back and doing the other at a different time.<br />If the Ujoints and exhaust bellows, gimbal bearing are in good shape why replace them. These "Kits" are put together to sell parts to DIYers.

 

[ole miss gal]

Re: Water comming In Boat??

Thanks Don! That's what I was asking. I was looking at it from inside the boat. Man, that's going to be a bit of a job. Looks like the starboard side manifold is right smack in the way. Tell me I don't have to fool with taking that thing aloose. I'll have bookoo's of leaks if I do. Can it be done without screwing around with that thing? Think me an other person could do it? I'm pretty well mechanically inclined. 'If' I were to take it to a marine dealer, what would I expect to pay? (ballpark, as I know prices vary by region) And how long would it take, for say, you to do it?<br />Thanks once again for your reply!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Water comming In Boat??

You don't have to pull manifolds or risers (Usually) but I also can's see your boat. I also don't know your mechanical abilities or the shops ability to do the job. <br />I really don't like to get involved in estimates for other shops that can actually see or may even know the boat. <br />My suggestion would be to read the OEM Service manual and deside if you have the abilities.<br />Here is a link to the Gen II manual so you can read exactly what is involved in the process.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[ole miss gal]

Re: Water comming In Boat??

Okay, Thankyou Don!