Mercruiser Service Manual Question

wyrman · Dec 8, 2015

I have to tear my Bravo 3 off this winter to find the source of a leak into the bilge. I figured I would buy the service manual #39, but I see there's different versions such as transom assembly, gear housing, integrated transom system, and more.
So my question is, which one do I need? I know how to remove the drive, it's the rest of the job I'd like the manual for.
I know I can find the info online without buying the manual but sometimes it's nice to have one.

Dieseljeff · Dec 8, 2015

I have the Online manual downloaded for mine.
You tube videos are awesome for DIY help.
Perhaps it's your steering pin that is leaking?

Good luck!

Jeff

wyrman · Dec 8, 2015

From what I've read I'm wondering if its the steering pin.
I'll get the out drive off and check it out.
I kind of wanted to get the paper manual.

Woody · Dec 10, 2015

wyrman said:
I have to tear my Bravo 3 off this winter to find the source of a leak into the bilge. I figured I would buy the service manual #39, but I see there's different versions such as transom assembly, gear housing, integrated transom system, and more.
So my question is, which one do I need? I know how to remove the drive, it's the rest of the job I'd like the manual for.
I know I can find the info online without buying the manual but sometimes it's nice to have one.

Find it and download, then print what you want.

kevin27 · Dec 10, 2015

I bet it's the steering pin. Both of mine were leaking when I had those drives. I replaced both with new units due to corrosion. Pulling the drive won't help you need to look on the inside.

scoflaw · Dec 10, 2015

Seeing that there's half a dozen points of entry for water, your best bet would be to locate the leak with a light and mirror while its floating and leaking.

wyrman · Dec 10, 2015

I did that Scoflaw, and it's coming from the top of the transom area behind the engine, kind of to the right looking front to back.
I couldn't tell exactly what it was but I know where and I'll get back in there and look again now that I know what it is I'm looking for and see if I can't identify it.

scoflaw · Dec 10, 2015

If it's above the driveshaft it's most likely the steering pin. Depending on how much water is coming in you may be able to stop the leak with the addition of a grease fitting. If you have play where the pin attaches to the gimbal ring your going to have to take it apart. It's a big job so if the ring and pin are tight , I would go with the grease fitting first. BT Doc has details on the fitting somewhere here. It stopped the leak on my boat

wyrman · Dec 10, 2015

I appreciate the info, but if its the steering pin ( which its sounding likely) I'm replacing it.

scoflaw · Dec 10, 2015

It's the wimpy little seal that fails not the pin, that's why the grease works

wyrman · Dec 10, 2015

Its a permanent fix? If so I'll look into it.
Really not looking forward to the other option, but would do it if I had to.

scoflaw · Dec 10, 2015

My story... Couple of years ago both my pins were leaking, so I bought all the stuff from JR Marine to do the repair on both sides. $800 worth
Tore into 1 side to find out the only worn part was the small seal that rides on the pin. Many, many hours of labor later , rethought about not doing the 2nd drive and added the grease fitting. Neither side has leaked since.

wyrman · Dec 10, 2015

OK, thank you. I'll look for BtDoctor's thread.
That'll save me a lot of work, and probably back aches.

Bt Doctur · Dec 11, 2015

its leaking because the grease fitting that used to be there was eliminated.
Mercruiser saved $.05 cents but the corrosion destroys the seal that's in there.
Installing the grease fitting before it starts leaking and most likely never will start leakijng.
let me check for the video

Bt Doctur · Dec 11, 2015

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph....php/73571-gimbal-housing-replacement?highlight=btdoctur+grease+fitting+install

Bt Doctur · Dec 11, 2015

http://vid57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/BtDoctur/DSCN2574_zpsd58d26ef.mp4

wyrman · Dec 11, 2015

Thank you Bt Doctur. I'll install the fitting but if that's the culprit, it's already leaking.

scoflaw · Dec 11, 2015

The goose neck area is also a weak link for leaks and is very close to the steering pin. You really need to pinpoint the leak source.

wyrman · Dec 11, 2015

I will scoflaw, just getting as much info as I can, and I appreciate all of the input very much.

wyrman · Dec 13, 2015

I crawled around in the bilge yesterday and I think it's leaking from the steering pin.
It's not in the water so it's obviously dry, but there's rust deposits below the steering arm.

Mercruiser Service Manual Question

wyrman

Dieseljeff

wyrman

Woody

kevin27

scoflaw

wyrman

scoflaw

wyrman

scoflaw

wyrman

scoflaw

wyrman

Bt Doctur

Bt Doctur

Bt Doctur

wyrman

scoflaw

wyrman

wyrman

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities