2000 260da Bilge Leak

[B.matt]

I find water in the bilge after out running. If I'm out for 4 hours I get about a half a gal.. No leak with engine running at dock or boat sitting for a week. I am thinking it could be the transon seal? Any ideas

Thanks
Bmatt

 

[sr330daguy]

It's probably not the transom seal. Although most steering pins leak all the time when they fail , have someone turn the steering wheel from slowly lock to lock with the boat at dock (the engine does not have to be running),while watching the steering pin ,and transom plate area in general for leaks. With the boat started check the intake hose at the transom plate for leaking there.However, I believe your problem is elsewhere ,remember when the boat is underway and on plane ,the transom assembly is not in the water.Its time to pull the hatches and look around for leaks when the boat is underway (check the Y pipe again at the transom plate). Also check your thru hulls , hoses and sea cocks.

 

[Kendall]

Check for a gap between upper hull and lower hull where they come together near the rear sides of the boat. The 5200 caulk here can dry out and leave an opening that water can come in when under way. Re-caulk as necessary.

 

[kevin27]

I bet its the steering pin. May be time for a new transom assy.

 

[scoflaw]

With there being at least a half dozen possible points for water entry it's going to take some time and work to pin it down. Lights, mirrors, cameras are your friends.

 

[Boater420]

I had a leak at the Y-Pipe that was almost impossible to see without mirrors and a light. Only happened while the engine was running.

 

[kevin27]

I had a leak at the Y-Pipe that was almost impossible to see without mirrors and a light. Only happened while the engine was running.

Yes I agree. I also had the same thing happen to my first boat. Almost forgot.

 

[sr330daguy]

Check for a gap between upper hull and lower hull where they come together near the rear sides of the boat. The 5200 caulk here can dry out and leave an opening that water can come in when under way. Re-caulk as necessary.

Thanks didn't think of that...a very good possibility

 

[B.matt]

Thanks for the replies. Going to take another look today.

B.matt

 

[B.matt]

Pulled the motor and found the steering shaft needed to be replaced. Waiting for new transom unit.
thanks for the help
B.matt

 

[BillK2632]

Not at all an uncommon thing, can happen with all Mercruiser drives, but most frequently with Bravo III due to their size and weight - it's a bad design steel swivel shaft (steering pin) in an aluminum gimbal ring. The clamp bolts tend to loosen over time and allow the shaft to wallow out the aluminum housing. You end up with sloppy steering and a leaking at the swivel shaft. The maintenance procedure calls for checking the torque on the swivel shaft clamp bolts every 100hrs, but it get's missed on a lot of boats. There are a couple of aftermarket fixes that involve cutting / drilling holes to access the steering arm/shaft that can be done without removing the engine. But often due to the age of the boat, it's time to replace other components also, so pulling the motor and replacing the transom assembly is the way to go - it's not a cheap date! You said the leaking occurs when you are out running, the steering pin area is only under water when the boat is sitting, maybe the water has been leaking in and running forward and you only notice it after you run the boat? There would have been evidence of water running down the inside of the transom from the steering arm / swivel shaft if it was leaking.

 

[B.matt]

There was allot of salt build up on the inside of the transom.
also I found a leak on the exhaust. Must have leaked when out cruising. bye the time I got down there to look the heat dried it off the exhaust so I didn't see it. Hopefully it will be nice and dry in the bilge when i finally get my t back together

 

[Bt Doctur]

install the grease fitting to help prevent this from happening again

 

[HPH]

I just went through this with my 2004 260DA. As you have done, I checked all of the obvious culprits. I Then turned it over to the mechanics. Unfortunately, I had to replace the transom shield. I wish I could say all is well now, however I can't. A smaller version of the problem still is under investigation.