What did I do to my boat? (Milky white substance on water surface.)

[don613]

I initially submitted this to the wrong area.
1985 Bayliner Cierra 2550
Volvo 260 Penta Stern drive

First things first, I'm no mechanic. Since I realize that, I always have an experience mechanic do my regular service for me. Unfortunately, I just discovered that my mechanic isn't willing to help me when I have a serious issue.

Ok, here's the story. I was out on the lake with my family for our last weekend of the season. After goofing around for a while, we stopped in the center of the lake to visit with another boater. While I was standing on the swim platform, I noticed a oily, milky-white substance floating to the surface of the water near my stern drive. (Prior to that, I had not noticed any performance issues or strange noises coming from our boat.) I called my mechanic and he acted like it was not big deal (maybe I didn't explain it to him well enough). So, I started the boat and tried to limp back to the marina. Before we could make it, the boat starting making a low whine sound near the stern. The sound was evident at the gear shift near the helm too. The sound didn't last very long. After a few moments, the sound almost went completely away. A few minutes after that, the boat stopped moving. I know what you want to say. "Why didn't he leave it shut off when the leak was first noticed?" I ask myself that too. What's done is done and I'm sure it's gonna cost me.

Could someone give me an idea what I have done to it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Don S]

Re: What did I do to my boat? (Milky white substance on water surface.)

Sounds like water in the drive. Going to have to pull the boat out of the water and check the gear lube (actually motor oil for your drive). If the lube is milky, that's from water. Drain it all and pressure check to find the leak. May be the ujoint bellows full of water and leaking.

 

[don613]

Re: What did I do to my boat? (Milky white substance on water surface.)

Obviously, you've seen this before. The boat is already out of the water and parked in my driveway. I just went out and checked the U-drive Bellows. You were right, I found a small finger-size hole on the underside of it. If that area filled up with water, will that cause any permanent damage? Of can I just replace the bellows and refill with oil?

Thanks
Don

 

[Don S]

Re: What did I do to my boat? (Milky white substance on water surface.)

Yes, I've seen it many times........ I work on these %#@*&%$ boats for a living.
Anyway, at this point you need to pull the upper gear box and check the ujoints. You probably also have milky grease in the bearings in the bellhousing on the back of the engine and they will probably need replaced as well..
Since it started vibrating then stopped moving, I would guess you may have other problems. Possibly ujoints, maybe drive issues.
But it may have all started with the leaky bellows. It MUST keep water out of the ujoint area. The seal ring on the ujoint shaft was probably rusty and pumped all the oil out or the drive. Then you was trying to lubricate it with water.