Alpha drive water leak

[Sundancer]

Last weekend we left the drive up for a bit while in the water and the bilge pumped kicked on every few minutes. Couldn't figure out why until we realized we'd left the drive up. With the drive down, the leak stopped. Bellows? I don't think we'll have time to replace it before the weekend, so I guess we're stuck with it. I haven't looked at it yet, but I'm guessing there is a small nick or something in the bellows. If so, is there anything recommended for patching it on short notice?

I'm calling the local Sea Ray dealer in the AM. What's the consensus of the collective??

 

[comsnark]

Hmmm. Leaking bellows. I would get that fixed ASAP.
But I understand the need to be in the water for the holiday.

Not out of the question to get it done by the weekend IMHO.

 

[capz]

If you pull the boat and outdrive look for a stain inside the bottom 1/3 of the bellows. But with the holiday weekend approaching, I would first get a mirror and see if you can find evidence of a leak from the shift shaft bellows.
If you're sure the leak stopped with the drive down, it's probably the exhaust bellows. I've done 2 Alpha bellows and found it very difficult to install. The quick fix would be to tighten the hose clamp on the exhaust with a long screwdriver. Would be very tough in the water though.

 

[FYN409]

I would be a little nervous about venturing out with a leaking bellows. Could be just a shift cable bellow, but if it's a ujoint bellow you could cause some damage to the ujoint's/gimble bearing with the water intrusion.

On the other hand I completely understand wanting to use it over the holiday. I would contact the marina, and unless they are real backed up they should be able to get it in. For someone that knows what they are doing it's only a couple hour job.

-Ryan

 

[Sundancer]

I'm sure it's not the shift shaft bellows. We did that a couple of years ago chasing a leak. This one is ONLY when the drive is up. I'll take a LONG screwdriver out to the boat and start fishing around. It's hard to find leaks when it's only in freshwater and only for three days at a time. There aren't any stains or trails to follow!

I did discover one other source of water from the deck drain. It was loose where it exits above the water line. I didn't even think about that one. A little silicone and a half turn should cure that problem.

 

[boatrboy]

............If you're sure the leak stopped with the drive down, it's probably the exhaust bellows. I've done 2 Alpha bellows and found it very difficult to install. The quick fix would be to tighten the hose clamp on the exhaust with a long screwdriver. Would be very tough in the water though.

Capz - are you sure about that? My exhaust bellows does not even connect to the outdrive and I just did an older alpha with the same "tube" set up for the exhaust. I could be wrong (not knowing the newer alphas) but the older ones don't allow water in the bilge from this bellows, only the driveshaft bellows and shift cable. Let me know.

Mark

 

[Sundancer]

My exhaust bellows doesn't really connect either. As the drive is lowered it "sort of" stuffs itself into the other side. I know it's not water tight.

I was able to get it in yesterday, but missed the status call today due to meeting! DOH!!! :smt013 I'll be on the phone seconds after they open tomorrow to see what they have to say. The only had three boats on site and the lot was empty! I guess it was a good week to have something break!! So, I'll expect a BIG bill when I pick it up when I return home on Friday! As long as it's fixed, I'm happy!! :grin:

 

[Sundancer]

I was able to talk to the service department today. I'm GLAD they found something! It was a combination of the shift bellows on the inside and a water line that was shot and leaking. I guess after nearly 20 years and almost 500 hours things wear out. About 5 years ago the same mechanic mentioned that the shift cables should be replaced, so we'll take care of that since some water has complicated things there and I gave them the OK to replace the gimbal bearing as well. I can't WAIT to pick it up and take it for a spin now. It was a little grouchy on the shifting, but I just did it quick. Now it should have a better feel between neutral and reverse. That's a good thing!! I might even get it back tomorrow. We'll see. I'm not going to be home until later anyway, so Saturday is just as good! This ought to keep the bilge dry for next years San Juan trip! :grin: I LOVE spending money like this! What I HATE Is when you spend money and they don't find anything or can't fix it!! :smt017