Leaking 1977

[Archer762]

Hello all, we have a leak above the drain plug somewhere and I’m wondering if there’s another plug I don’t know about. Or maybe it’s just the shaft seal? There was about 12” of water in the boat after 1 night in the water. The bilge pump hose was clogged too thanks!

 

[Archer762]

 

[Carpediem44DB]

There should not be another plug but depending on where the water line is there are several thru hull fittings on the transom there anyone of which could be leaking. You need to put her back in the water and look carefully at any of the items that are below the water line and coming thru the hull. I had a poorly sealed hole that a trim tab wire ran thru that leaked when I was loaded. I put the boat in the water and put ten bags of cement on the swing deck to simulate the load and found the culprit right away.
Good Luck
Carpe Deim

 

[hottoddie]

You most likely have a leak in the stern drive bellows or shift cables where the pas thru the transom. good thing you caught it before it sank.

 

[hughespat57]

There are many holes in an Alpha drive unfortunately. They should not leak but of course sometimes they do...
From the bottom up:
1. Hydraulic trim hoses manifold block bolts on outside.
2. MerCathode if equipped has wire thru center of the above block
3. Exhaust pipe Y bolts to inside of the housing, they also can just corrode a hole.
4. shift bellows and cable
5. Drive shaft bellows
6. wires pass thru from trim sender and limit switch
7. water hose fitting, bolts on inside
8. speedometer hose,vary small tube often overlooked, if no speedo it should be plugged
9. the upper steering shaft and seal (attaches to the tiller arm), often rusts and ruins seal.
10. the housing itself can get a little lose and start leaking around the edge.

Anyone did I miss any?

 

[Ike]

wow. I think you got them all.

How long has it been since you have had the drive pulled and replaced all the bellows and gaskets? If it's more then five years you're asking for trouble.

 

[Nater Potater]

wow. I think you got them all.

How long has it been since you have had the drive pulled and replaced all the bellows and gaskets? If it's more then five years you're asking for trouble.

And, as I found on mine, if the PO left the outdrives in trailer mode, the shift cable bellows are a sure bet.

 

[2016FLD]

3. Exhaust pipe Y bolts to inside of the housing, they also can just corrode a hole.

#3 got me recently, the amount of corrosion surprised me, both lower mounting ears were gone.

The Y pipe is pricey, found a slightly used one on eBay that cleaned up well. Given the engine had to be removed to replace it and the surrounding parts were 25 years old, had the shop replace the transom / gimball assembly, including rams, etc.

Nice to know it's all new (that's what I tell myself to feel better about the cost, LOL!).

 

[hughespat57]

And that corrosion was just as likely electrolysis, seen that before.
If you have a few inches of water in the aft bilge it will be up to the Y pipe. Particularly with a single where the engine/drive are centered and a bit lower then twins.
Be sure none of your bilge pump wiring (connections) are not hanging into any water.
Check all the switches and pumps that they have no leakage, cracks.

 

[2016FLD]

And that corrosion was just as likely electrolysis, seen that before.
If you have a few inches of water in the aft bilge it will be up to the Y pipe. Particularly with a single where the engine/drive are centered and a bit lower then twins.
Be sure none of your bilge pump wiring (connections) are not hanging into any water.
Check all the switches and pumps that they have no leakage, cracks.

Agreed, mine is a single, till I bought it was on a lift with the plug rarely removed, the pile of corrosion was found to be higher than the plug when removed.