Corrosion or dirt from upper I/O inside transom

[Big Dogg]

:huh:I have a bravo three that I went to add lube to the grease zig on the engine shaft running to the upper unit behind the engine on the inside of the transom. I found a bunch of what appeared to be dirt coming out of the inside of the upper unit where the steering shaft goes through the transom. My first thought was either mud dobbers (wasps) made a nest or a geko, or small birds.

I used a new vacuum cleaner bag and sucked out as much as I could. I put it into a clear peanut butter container and it was about 1/3 full of something that is a mix of salt crystals, sand or dirt, and paint chips. No hint of bug parts or grass or other debris that would lead me to believe it was a critter. Ran the boat for several hours and had no water in the bildge.

My best guess at this point is that it is just corrosion on the inside of the top of the I/O unit. The unit has been service every year for the last six years at the SeaRay dealer and has about 700 hours of use. It is stored on a lift above salt water.

The steering is fine and the boat is running great. I keep the bilg 100 percent dry while on the lift. I can't see up inside what might be going on in the upper unit through the transom due to the lack of space. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can check?

 

[Quint4]

That is certainly a leak point (swivel shaft & seal)...are you positive there is no leak? I will say I have find mud dobber nests from time to time in hidden spots although I would think with the noise,heat and vibration they would not build in there?

 

[Big Dogg]

I don't believe it could be bugs due to the other derbry I have found with mudd dobber nests around the house. I have attached a couple of photos and as I look close, it appears to be just a huge amount of corrosion (aluminum rust) and could be from a leak. It could be from a lot of salt water that has sat until it crystallizes. The steering arm is sweeping back and forth until it starts coming out inside the boat. I will check on this for any water after I take it out again.

The two chunks in one of the photos appear to be huge chunks of SALT, and, since I use the boat in salt water, it is very possible that I have a small leak in the upper pivot of the I/O. I have taken the boat down to Captiva in April (a six hour run) and we didn't have any water in the bildge when we arrived.

Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[Quint4]

I will bet your swivel shaft is corroded and leaking around the seal. I replaced my swivel shaft and seal (among other things) last Spring...here is my story:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17425