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A leaky transom in 1999 searay br180?

J

jbath

New member
I needed the three bellows replaced and a water pump impeller replaced so I took the boat to a shop. Other minor repairs were done and the final cost was $1800. OK. But when I get out on the water the bilge starts and there is a significant leak of a quart every ten minutes. The leak is there with the motor running or not. I get the boat home and tilt the boat back and fill the bilge with water to see where the leak is and it appears to be primarily near the new gear shift bellows. I call the repair shop and the owner tells me to bring the boat in. It never had such a leak before the bellows were done. Not a drop. I just spoke to the owner who tells me he pulled the outdrive and there is a loose bolt sticking out of the transom assembly that may be a sign of dry rot in the transom or maybe a gasket and he needs to pull the motor (for a thousand bucks) to see if that is the problem and then if it is fixable. He tells me his work has nothing to do with the leak. Now I want to give every one a fair shake but can anyone tell me if the boat shop owner is being straight with me. Or, am I just a sucker? Have him fix it (again) or pull it out of there. Any ideas, comments?
 
Ayuh,... The boat's old enough, it may well have a Rotten transom,....

Further investigation is necessary to know,....
 
If it never leaked before you took the boat in for the work you mentioned, then I would be very suspect of the quality of work. I would suspect you have either the drive shift cable bellows or U joint bellows leaking.
 
I think this thread really explains why a lot of us work on our own boats. The bad news is easier to take, and all work has a lifetime warranty.
There's no way to know without looking yourself. I have a 1992 Bayliner and when water was coming in, as you can imagine, anyone and everyone would say rotten transom most probable cause.
When I got the engine out, I found my transom could probably deflect bullets. Like new, dry and solid and and very well designed and constructed.
My exhaust Y pipe seal was the issue (and maybe the trim hydraulic manifold gasket too).
Then after those repairs, when I put the drive on, oops...the thick seal around the driveshaft snout fell off and then water came in through the d/s bellows via the shift shaft (which passes a fair bit into the d/s bellows when that thick seal is out of place) Maybe my shift vertical shaft is worn or has too much clearance - dunno, but no water comes in when that thick seal is in properly.
So it was a lot of repeat work and calm analysis.

There are a dozen places water can enter the transom area of a Mercruiser. Despite a myriad of mirrors, video camera in the bilge and other testing processes, I had to pull the engine, reinstall the drive and relaunch the boat to see where it was entering on mine. It's just really tough to see anything down there.
If the leak can't be seen, that's what I would do. (or hire them to do)
 
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you don't have to pull a outdrive to see bolts sticking out of the transom.If it didn't leak before the repair it shouldn't leak after repairs.I would question his diagnosis before you let him pull the engine.
 
Thanks for your comments. It just seems to me that if was a leaky, rotten transom that the leak would come on gradually and not all at once and out of nowhere. I had him put the drive back on the boat and I will take it somewhere else to get fixed. Thanks again.
 
jbath said:
Thanks for your comments. It just seems to me that if was a leaky, rotten transom that the leak would come on gradually and not all at once and out of nowhere. I had him put the drive back on the boat and I will take it somewhere else to get fixed. Thanks again.
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J, noen of my business but, if the leak started after you took it them, hold them accountable brother. Put the boat in the water, take a flashlight and see where the leak is coming from...or at least give it a try.....whats to lose? Rick
 
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