Water leak, options/opinions?

[dinghy3000]

So unfortunately I’ve got a bit of a leak in my transom.​

Here are some pics and a quick vid.

 

[dinghy3000]

Boat is a 91 Four Winn’s Horizon 180 w/ 175 HP 4.3 Cobra.

seen this vid on youtube and it’s similar, guy in video says ts a rotten transom. mines not as bad, but was hoping it ways the bellow.

gotten quotes from 3-4500 for the transom repair.

so far i’ve tightened the 4 nuts on the inside and they seem to move a bit. i was able to get my finger nail in between the transom assembly and fiberglass from the outside, but not any more.

i was thinking about applying a big bead of 3M 4200 around the assembly like siliconing a toilet. any thoughts?

will post vid of trickle when i get a chance


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OcW8MXCAcrY

 

[tpenfield]

Looks like a fun project. The bead of silicone is just a band-aid, so no telling how long that will hold up. To really fix it . . . it looks like things have to come apart. Bellows don't look that great anyway.

Do you plan of fixing this yourself, or having it done?

 

[AShipShow]

Theres a possibility its just your Y-pipe leaking. Run the boat on muffs out of the water and see if it leaks. If it doesn't leak, then pull the drive and look for water in the u-joint bellows.. If yes, replace bellows, if no, looking more like a transom...

 

[dinghy3000]

​

​So this is the leak, I’ve just had the muffs on running in the drive way and there was no trickle. Guess I’ll have to pull the drive and inspect for water. Did it once and it was a heck of time getting it back in (ended up jacking the boat up off of trailer).

This is also the spot that looks the worse from what I’m able to see any ways, you guys think it’s pierced through? and if so enough to cause that consistent flow?

Bought a tube of 5200 for the caulking gun as well. Will apply once it’s dried off again.

Thanks for all the help, just got it rigged for trolling and want to run it as long a I can.

 

[dinghy3000]

[No message]

 

[briangcc]

No offense here but those bellows are shot. They're dry rotted and need replacement ASAP.

 

[dinghy3000]

lol none taken, how likely you think those could be the cause of the water leak? should just be the universal right? as the exhaust already has cut outs/slits in it

 

[AShipShow]

a tear in the exhaust bellows won't cause a leak in the bilge... theres supposed to be water in the exhaust bellows...
Not too familiar with OMC, but there might also be a shift cable bellows like mercruiser has which could be a source. If the u-joint bellows is leaking, then you will also want to replace the u-joints if they got wet.

 

[dinghy3000]

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... If that caulkin' job stops the leak for awhile, ya got a rotten transom,.....

 

[dinghy3000]

well shall see.. if it continues to leak, guess i’ve got to do a bellow job asap?

is it possible to do with pivot bracket still on?

thanks

 

[Silverbullet555]

Bellows are not the part you want to try and stretch. Yes they can allow water in and can lead to gimbal bearing and ujoint failure.

Do yourself a favor and change your bellows. They are done.

 

[dinghy3000]

they’re that bad huh? lol are you able to do it without pulling off the pivot bracket?