Leaking Transom Assembly

[businessjett]

Hello,

I'm starting to freak out about how much my boat is costing to fix up. I just spent $2k with an over heating issue. Now I have a fuel pump issue. ( mechanic said around $4K )

When I was poking around today. ( I only pock because I am not mechanically minded and would break something ). I was looking at the transom assembly. The mechanic has previously said I really need a new one ( among with other things ). So I took a photo. You can see at the top of the photo is a lot of "gunk" is that being created by water coming in ? The boat always has a little water in the bottom even though I have scooped it dry.

This mechanic has also said I will soon need new risers and manifolds.

Any advice would be appreciated.

The engine is a 2004 5.0 Mercruiser. Serial No OM684005

 

[BillK2632]

Yeah, that arm that attaches inside the transom assembly is the steering arm. As the steering pin that holds the arm in place wears it will develope a leak - especially on the bigger BIII outdrive. The OEM fix is to replace the whole transom assembly - $$$. Another easier fix is the JR marine kit which is a fraction cost and is very successfully when severe damage is not already done from salt water leaking in.

 

[businessjett]

Yeah, that arm that attaches inside the transom assembly is the steering arm. As the steering pin that holds the arm in place wears it will develope a leak - especially on the bigger BIII outdrive. The OEM fix is to replace the whole transom assembly - $$$. Another easier fix is the JR marine kit which is a fraction cost and is very successfully when severe damage is not already done from salt water leaking in.

Oh I have read about that JR Marine Kit. I think I contacted him once and never heard back . I will contact him again now.

Thank you very much

 

[Thornton69]

It is unfortunate that normal maintenance items on your boat appear to have accumulated to the level they have.
Did you have an inspection done on it before your purchase? A lot of this stuff would have been brought to your attention at that point and saved you some of the shock you are getting now. Regardless, putting it off any further and trying to pinch $$'s in the wrong areas will likely only lead to more frustrations down the road.
Your steering pin has been leaking for a long time. When this happens, it allows sea water to drip on the driveshaft and get tossed around in the back of the bilge. It can contribute to all sorts of other corrosion issues that you don't see with the engine in place like electrical connections and components, drive coupler, Y pipe connection, starter and the oil pan for example.
Lots on here have had great success with the JR repair. In your situation with all the unknowns of a "new to you 19 yo boat", I would want to get the engine pulled and clean/inspect everything else down there. A lot of which you can do yourself to save some labor charges if your yard allows that.
There is a saying that "boat" stands for break out another thousand. You have to decide if you want to drag out the repairs your mechanic has suggested with baby steps or bite the bullet and hopefully enjoy several years of trouble free boating.

 

[businessjett]

It is unfortunate that normal maintenance items on your boat appear to have accumulated to the level they have.
Did you have an inspection done on it before your purchase? A lot of this stuff would have been brought to your attention at that point and saved you some of the shock you are getting now. Regardless, putting it off any further and trying to pinch $$'s in the wrong areas will likely only lead to more frustrations down the road.
Your steering pin has been leaking for a long time. When this happens, it allows sea water to drip on the driveshaft and get tossed around in the back of the bilge. It can contribute to all sorts of other corrosion issues that you don't see with the engine in place like electrical connections and components, drive coupler, Y pipe connection, starter and the oil pan for example.
Lots on here have had great success with the JR repair. In your situation with all the unknowns of a "new to you 19 yo boat", I would want to get the engine pulled and clean/inspect everything else down there. A lot of which you can do yourself to save some labor charges if your yard allows that.
There is a saying that "boat" stands for break out another thousand. You have to decide if you want to drag out the repairs your mechanic has suggested with baby steps or bite the bullet and hopefully enjoy several years of trouble free boating.

Hey thanks for the long and solid advice. I did get a report done but not a very good one it appears. Where I live are few mechanics. The one recommended to me seems extreme. He claims I need to replace both fuel pumps, which seems odd to me.

I do agree with you but feel I need to find a mechanic that is more interested in advising the customer better.