Water leaking into boat thruogh shift cable passage

[Yyachtwork]

Hello- I was on a boat that just changed two of the three bellows. Merc in a 1998 Bayliner. Now water is leaking into the boat through the shift cable passage. Why would this be happening? What can we do to fix? Thanks

 

[Rick Stephens]

Typical reason is the water passage o-ring is not properly in its groove. That allows water under pressure from the pump into the shift linkage area. Pull the drive and reinstall the o-ring. I usually use grease to hold it in place.

 

[Yyachtwork]

Awesome! Thanks.

 

[Fun Times]

Is this an Alpha or Bravo stern drive?

Was the shift cable removed and replaced?

Is the water leaking up on top of the engine at the mercruiser shift cable mechanism assembly out the cables end or more down at the lower transom assembly behind the engine leaking into the bilge area?

If the water is leaking lower then one thought could be maybe there' a damaged shift cable bellows now.

If up top there could be a few other lower numbered possibilities too of Ricks higher probability depended on stern drive model.