Trying to identify a leak

[DiverGuy]

I have a 2002 Sea Ray 220 SD with Mercruiser 5.0 MPI with Alpha One Gen II drive. I have a leak that I'm having trouble spotting. I have removed the bulkhead surrounding the engine underneath the hatch, and the divider wall between the engine and the battery. I still can't spot it.

It isn't a seeping leak. It's a steady drain that sounds like it is going straight into the water in the bottom of the bilge, as opposed to running down the side of the transom. Sounds kinda like there is a small child back there peeing into my bilge. It sounds like it's closer to the transom and seems like it's closer to the starboard side than the port side. It's bad enough that my bilge pump kicks on about every 10 minutes. It sounds like there is a drain plug left open. This motor has the single point drain system. I can see where there are two drain lines on each side with hoses attached (one on the block and one on the exhaust per side) and the hoses run up to the drain point at the front. It doesn't leak while running on the flush kit, only when in the water. From the outside, the bellows look to be in good shape. I was out on the boat last weekend and tried to spot it, but forgot to bring a mirror with me to try to get a better view.

I've done a lot of searching on this site and others about leaks, but can't find anything that really sounds like what I've got happening. Any of you guys who know your way around the bottom of these engines have an idea what it might be?

 

[Thornton69]

There are a few spots that water can get in that are below the water line not common to the pressure feed of raw water while using muffs. Common spots are the upper steering pin, trim sensor wires, exhaust Y pipe and the trim cylinder oil line manifold. Try to get into the tight spots with your phone and take some pics to narrow it down. You will want to get it figured out before going out too far.

 

[Bt Doctur]

pull the boat and inspect the shift bellow for breaks. Next is to pull the drive to see if water is in the main bellow and possibly getting into the outdrive.Per post #2 the Y pipe will give a gurlging sound. The bellows lok godd but are the clamps still there? Current job is a gen II that corroded the bellows clamp and was allowing water into the boat

 

[DiverGuy]

Thanks for the idea guys. I will inspect the clamps today. I also plan to put it back in the water today and check to see if it starts leaking upon being backed into the water, or if it doesn't start until after it's cranked. I hadn't thought about trying to take pictures under there. I'll bring a stick and duct tape a mirror to it. I'll do the same with my phone and put it in video mode and try to catch a shot of the leak.

Thanks so much!!

 

[DiverGuy]

Clamps look like new. I don’t think this boat has seen much, if any, salt water from the looks of everything. Taking it to the water this afternoon to try and get pics of the leak.

 

[Brite Idea]

It could be the steering pin seal. If that's the case it's a big job. If you can get a mirror and look under the engine straight back to the transom. If it's dripping down the middle that's most likely it.

 

[DiverGuy]

So I managed to capture it on video. It's right back against the transom, leaking in next to a big bolt. I'm attaching a link to a video of it. Looks pretty bad. I just backed the trailer into the water and it started without even starting the engine. Can anyone identify this and give me an idea of what would be needed to fix it? Looks like I will need to pull the entire outdrive. I've pulled the lower half of the drive before to get a skeg replaced, but never the entire drive. I've read a little bit about it and I think there are a couple of special tools needed. Any help is appreciated. I'm pretty handy with these things, but also know when its time to pay a professional. I live in a small town so not a lot of boat mechanics close by, except the guys who work on outboards and small fishing boats.

 

[Thornton69]

There is a drain hole between the gimbal bearing and seal but I don't think the shielded bearing will allow that much water past it. The shift cable also comes through in that area. It also has a small bellow that may be torn. A little more coming in than a small child peeing. Time for a bellows job. Would suggest doing the gimbal bearing and trim senders at the same time.

 

[dlvwill]

+1 shift boot

 

[DiverGuy]

Should I be worried about anything being damaged from spending three afternoons in the water with it like this? All fresh water. I just got the boat back in October, so I haven’t had much time to get it in the water. Gear lube looked good when I changed it.

 

[scoflaw]

The problem is that boat manufactures don't seal the plywood end grain at the key hole cut out. So time goes by with a slow leak and it isn't addressed. Fast forward 17 years later, yes you could have a wet/rotting transom. Hey, you won't know until you figure it all out. Best of luck

 

[DiverGuy]

Yeah, I understand about the risk of transom rot. I was mainly wondering if it could have leaked water into anything mechanical that would cause damage down the road. But, like you said. I won’t know for sure until I get in there.

 

[DiverGuy]

Sorry for the late response. After watching numerous videos and tutorials and pictures so I better understood what I was looking at.....you guys nailed it. Shift bellows - the narrow end was completely torn loose and was letting water flow in unobstructed. I have the outdrive off now getting ready to do a bellows job along with gimbal bearing and shift cable. Thanks for the responses.