Water coming in from Bell housing?

[rightray]

Not sure that is even the term but I have water coming in and the bilge keeps turning on as water accumulates. Is this some kind of gasket issue?

1997 Maxxum1700sr with a 3.0 mercur Alpha sterndrive.

Hoping I can fix it myself. Please see the pics.

It is behind the motor on transom where it goes to the outboard. Thanks!

[mmwjr]

If I have my bearing correct the pictures are of the bottom of the inner transom plate where the trim hose come through. The leak is most likely the driveshaft bellows above this leaking and running down. It could also be the manifold for the trim hoses but less likely. Another possibility is the swivel shaft seal at the very top.

[rightray]

Thank you! Yes you have the right location.

[rightray]

I uploaded a short video to see the leak. It is behind motor on transom.

https://youtu.be/BOpRd3YGfCM

[mmwjr]

I could not tell if the engine was running in the video due to the music. This just shows a good amount of water coming in but you need to do a better job pointing the source. You can try blotting around with paper towels to isolate dry vs wet areas.

[rightray]

Thanks, I will try that. Engine was off when I recorded but on or off the bilge does its job. Its out of the water now, was worried about doing damage so I want to try to fix before I put it back in. Been messing with a garden hose trying to find source.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by rightray

Thanks, I will try that. Engine was off when I recorded but on or off the bilge does its job. Its out of the water now, was worried about doing damage so I want to try to fix before I put it back in.u Been messing with a garden hose trying to find source.

While the bilge pump has kept up with the amount of water coming in that’s a big gamble as the leak is rather bad and the pump could die, battery run down or leak get worse since the source is unknown, address it ASAP.

Possible sources are driveshaft bellows, leaking exhaust pipe or leaking trim manifold. I’m betting on bellows, check for cracks in between the folds.

[rightray]

Did some more exploring. Was easier for me to see it at night with a flashlight. So it looks like the shift cable bellows is ripped apart. I confirmed where the leak comes from by spraying a hose at it and the water made its way inside.

Pic: https://imgur.com/a/4nG7vZ6

[mmwjr]

Yup it’s shot. The other bellows don’t look so great either, IMO they should all be replaced.

[rightray]

Oh well. Youtubing videos. Wondering if I should attempt. Thanks for the input!

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by rightray

Oh well. Youtubing videos. Wondering if I should attempt. Thanks for the input!

Under Documents of this site you will find the Mercruiser manual for the Alpha drive with the instructions to perform the job.

[rightray]

Very helpful thanks again.

[donald]

The bellows is in very bad shape also replace also when doing shift cable.
Don

[rightray]

Yeah, locally it is a 3 week wait to get it done so I may attempt to do myself. I need it for the end of next week.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by rightray

Yeah, locally it is a 3 week wait to get it done so I may attempt to do myself. I need it for the end of next week.

Not a terribly hard job. You will need the hinge pin tool to remove the bolts that hold the bellhousing to the gimbal ring. I believe a 1/2 hex socket also works.

Good time to replace the trim sender and limit switch. You can buy the bellows kit with lower shift cable and gimbal bearing.

[rightray]

Thanks for that info!

[rightray]

Just want to give an update. Thanks for all the advice. I was able to change just the shift cable bellows without taking the whole thing apart thanks to this video. https://youtu.be/tjaOM-H3D0A

I plan on doing all the bellows when I come back from vacation. I just needed to get get back in the water ASAP and this seemed the best option.