What gasket?

[Hesco0311]

I have a 1994 Regal Valanti Volvo 4.3GS with the SX-S drive. This might be a weird way of identifying a possible problem, but it's all I've got to go off of. Last year was my first summer owning a boat and while I had it out I noticed that when I would be on the water, stopped for a while, the boat would take on water at a certain rate (normal I presume). I use the time that the bilge pump pumps out water as a reference, say one minute. Then when I would be stopped for a similar amount of time while I was sitting on the back with my foot on the outdrive fishing, when I would kick the bilge pump on, it would need to run for significantly longer to evacuate the water in the bilge (maybe twice the amount of time). I know the boat was well taken care of, but I doubt any gaskets or seals or torque specs were checked.

Where should I start looking as far as troubleshooting? I tried searching the forum, looking at schematics, and I have a repair manual, but I am not seeing any gasket that I could point out and say, "Yes this is probably the one I need to replace."

Am I on the right track? Help me out!

 

[hosteter]

Start up the motor and check where the water comes from.this is the first thing you can do.then you can see what gasket or hose you should replace.

 

[Bondo]

Where should I start looking as far as troubleshooting? I tried searching the forum,

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Ya need to be searchin' yer boat, when it's in the water, for the leak,.....

Use a flashlight, mirrors, or a camera,....

The only way to pinpoint a Leak, is to look, 'n find it,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

to add to what Bondo said, if its not leaking just sitting there, your going to have to have the motor running when looking to find the leak.

 

[Hesco0311]

I'll definitely be doing that when I get it out, I guess I assumed that it would probably just be leaking in from underneath the inner transom plate, where I would not be able to pinpoint it precisely.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... It Could be any one of many things,.....

If it's the transom plate, odds are the transom is rotten,.....

 

[Augoose]

I'd look at the u-joint bellows by trailering the boat, raising the outdrive and examining the condition of the rubber. If you see any cracks or tears, the bellows need to be replaced. If the bellows are damaged, inspect the u-joints for rust and damage as part of your annual maintenance.
Secondly, and while the engine is running, raise the engine cover and look at all the cooling system hoses for leaks. To and from the thermostat, around the water pump, etc.
Those are all serviceable maintenance items (so to speak) and I'd look there first before worrying about something more catastrophic. If all of those check out ok, like others said run the boat in the water and carefully look all around the engine and the bilge for the source of the water. Before leaning over the engine I'd wear eye protection and remove all loose clothing. Consider holding a small camera on video record and reaching down to film where your head can't be. I like using a gopro for this. If you see water coming in through the drive shaft which connects the engine to the outdrive, its likely your bellows. If not ripped, possibly the hose clamps holding the ends in place have come loose or failed.
Lastly, do you have someone doing annual service for you? If not, I'd strongly recommend educating yourself on all the in's and out's of boat ownership and how to maintain them. I have the VP 5.0 with SX-M outdrive and I made a summarization and winterization checklist. Its about 3-4 hours work at the start and end of each season but it prevents major issues and $500 Sea Tow bills.
At a minimum every season you need to be changing the engine oil, outdrive oil, changing the water/fuel separator, inspecting the u-joints and bellows and lubing the joints, and I recommend checking the engine/outdrive alignment but you need a special tool for that which can be purchased online. Everything else you can do in your garage if you can change the oil in your car. There are several other inspection areas (steering, electrical, etc) but you get the idea.
Check out the sticky section for directions - http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...657719-dashboard-restoration-1999-chris-craft
Good luck

 

[Hesco0311]

Bondo, The hope is real that's not the problem....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Bondo, The hope is real that's not the problem....

hope for the best, plan for the worst. its a 22 year old boat. I know where I would place my money if I was a betting man.