Bravo 3 transom with white dust in engine room ?

Adam small

New Member
Aug 9, 2020
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Boat Info
1998 230 signature
Engines
5.0l merc
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I have a 2005 searay with bravo 3 outdrive and I was winterizing and I noticed this white powder or dust on top of it . Is it anything to worry about ?
 
Have no clue what that would be. Looks like over spray when something was painted. Does it wipe right off and there is black paint beneath it??

See a couple of spots of it on the wiring right below the halon bottle, too, saying to me it's not corrosion.

But, a single picture from one angle can be deceiving.
 
I had the same problem on my 2005 240 Sundeck, the mechanic at the marina told me that it was salt residue due to the transom seal leaking (running the boat in salt water). I'm not sure he is correct since I see no other signs of a leak and other than normal wear. The area that I saw the residue was at the steering arm. I didn't have it replaced yet since it requires that the engine needs to be pulled. Keeping an eye on it for now.
 
So how do you know if the steering arm needs to be replaced or if it’s corroding in there? Are there any other signs ?
 
That looks like mineral creep. It is most likely salt. Do a taste test by touching the white stuff with a wet finger and then taste it. As water evaporates dissolved solids can crystallize and penetrate through sealed barriers. An example is a saltwater aquarium. Salt creep can push through the cover or pipe connections and form salt crystals. This can also occur with other minerals such as calcium.
 
That looks like mineral creep. It is most likely salt. Do a taste test by touching the white stuff with a wet finger and then taste it. As water evaporates dissolved solids can crystallize and penetrate through sealed barriers. An example is a saltwater aquarium. Salt creep can push through the cover or pipe connections and form salt crystals. This can also occur with other minerals such as calcium.


Does it seem like anything major to worry about ?
 
Does it seem like anything major to worry about ?
You certainly don’t want salt where it can accelerate corrosion. Do you keep the boat in the water? Saltwater?
 
Yes I keep it in the saltwater at marina , if I wipe off dust none of the metal is corroded, does that mean where I can’t see is corroded? I noticed the vents are directly above possibly water coming from there?
 
That may be the source. I would keep up with it so it doesn’t build up. Mix up a spray bottle with fresh water or some salt away and keep after it now and then. It would be difficult to tell if there is corrosion inside the transom assembly. Saltwater certainly will accelerate wear on everything.
 
I agree it's the steering pin. Search for bravo steering pin and learn all about something you don't want to know anything about! There's not much you can do other than replace steering pin which is done by JR marine fix or removing engine. I agree to wet it down with some salt away every once in a while. Maybe it would help reduce corrosion, idk?? It certainly wouldn't hurt.
 
After rotating the pic 90 degrees right (orientation had me wondering WTF am I looking at), it does certainly look like salt deposits and coming from the steering pin.

Best way to fix is pull drive, engine, and transom plate to repair. But can be done in place, but takes some surgery.
 

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