Raw Water Leak question

[highslice]

I noticed water in the bilge last time we were on the boat. Had to run the pump every hour or so. I figured it was the bellows.

My mechanic looked at it and sent me an email today stating that the water was coming from "somewhere at the back of the motor and seemed to be a pressurized stream." Because of that he eliminated the bellows or intake hose as potential leaks. The bellows are 15 years old. He thinks the engine needs to be pulled to identify and repair the leak and he doesn't have the facilities to do that.

Question: What is pressurized besides the raw water cooling system? I know the fresh water side is pressurized as well, but the orange antifreeze would be pretty obvious in the bilge. TIA.

UPDATE: See my update below. Pulling the motor is off the table.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Do you have fresh water/fresh water pump on your boat?

 

[highslice]

Do you have fresh water/fresh water pump on your boat?

I do. But eliminated that as the source because the tank is empty.

 

[mrsrobinson]

I would put a camera on it under the motor.

 

[highslice]

UPDATE: I talked to the mechanic. He made a mistake in his reasoning. He wasn't thinking about the boat being fresh water cooled. So he was thinking cracked block or freeze plug. So pulling the engine is out of the equation. He is 2 weeks out, but he is going to do the drive service and replace the bellows and gimbal bearing. Even if the bellows aren't technically bad right now, they are going into their 16th year so it's time. My suspicion is that is where the leak is.

The guy is honest as the day is long and has never made a mistake on my boat. I am going to cut him some slack because he just got back to work yesterday after being out for week for a family emergency.

 

[highslice]

I would put a camera on it under the motor.

Yeah, I think I am going to buy one that works with my phone.

Thanks!

 

[BillK2632]

I bet if it's the bellows, it is the shift cable, that's the one that goes first.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Yeah, I think I am going to buy one that works with my phone.

Thanks!

I've been happy with this one

 

[highslice]

I've been happy with this one

View attachment 145629

Thanks. I'll have a look.