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water coming from stern drive

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cpusl

New member
I have a 2010 Tahoe Q5 that I just put the elephant ears on for the first time with the stern trimmed all the way up. It has a mercruiser 190 hp. I started the motor just to run it since it has been sitting for about 2 months and I noticed something peculiar that I needed to ask about. The water was coming out of the propeller, as I imagined it would, but I also noticed it coming out in the vicinity of where the stern meets the boat. Is there some outlet there as well or is it something I should be concerned with? I purchased the boat new and I never had too much confidence in the guys at the shop and I had to tighten some bolts where the steering met the stern before and I just want to be sure where all the water is supposed to be coming out.
 
cpusl said:
I have a 2010 Tahoe Q5 that I just put the elephant ears on for the first time with the stern trimmed all the way up. It has a mercruiser 190 hp. I started the motor just to run it since it has been sitting for about 2 months and I noticed something peculiar that I needed to ask about. The water was coming out of the propeller, as I imagined it would, but I also noticed it coming out in the vicinity of where the stern meets the boat. Is there some outlet there as well or is it something I should be concerned with? I purchased the boat new and I never had too much confidence in the guys at the shop and I had to tighten some bolts where the steering met the stern before and I just want to be sure where all the water is supposed to be coming out.
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BTW....Do not run your engine with the drive trimmed all the way to the top in the trailer position.
 
Don't store the boat w/the OD up either or you'll because the bellows to take a set and wear out early, could sink your boat...not a cheap fix.
 
Don't store the boat w/the OD up either or you'll because the bellows to take a set and wear out early, could sink your boat...not a cheap fix.
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Sorry, I am a bit inexperienced with stern drives. Could you explain the reason behind this and how I should have it trimmed while storing?

BTW....Do not run your engine with the drive trimmed all the way to the top in the trailer position.
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What is the possible harm from this as well?

Thanks in advance.
 
...the bellows to take a set and wear out early,...
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The bellows extends straight out when running since the drive is in the down position. Storing the drive in the trailer position when the boat is not being used puts a kink in them. The bellows will tear prematurely.
Do not run your engine with the drive trimmed all the way to the top in the trailer position.
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It is not designed to run like that...strains the U-joints. It should only be run in the down position.
 
Chris,

What is the "plumbing" for this? What is feeding the water to it? Is it sort of an "overflow" if the impeller is feeding more water than the water pump is circulating or is it from the exhaust?

Thanks,
Tony
 
I'm no Chris but........ There is a rubber impellar in the outdrive that pumps water into the engine. Then the water circulating pump in the engine pushes it through and the water exists with the exhaust.
 
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holinwtr said:
I'm no Chris but........ There is a rubber impellar in the outdrive that pumps water into the engine. Then the water circulating pump in the engine pushes it through and the water exists with the exhaust.
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LOL. Thanks. Yes, I understand all that. The raw sea water (after circulating) exits out the prop with the exhaust via the exhaust bellows. What "cpusl" was talking about was water that exits via different openings near the transom/gimbal/bell housing. What is that?
 
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byter said:
LOL. Thanks. Yes, I understand all that. The raw sea water (after circulating) exits out the prop with the exhaust via the exhaust bellows. What "cpusl" was talking about was water that exits via different openings near the transom/gimbal/bell housing. What is that?
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If you are referring to the two 1/2 to 3/4" holes in the lower / outer part of the gimbal housing at 4:00 and 8:00, then those holes are exhaust ports also. Exhaust and water will come shooting out those holes when the boat is run on muffs when out of the water. Perfectly normal.
 
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Sorry, I guess I misunderstood what you were wanting to know. Those holes are just part of the exhaust system. If for some reason you don't see water coming out of those holes that usually means they're plugged up with crud. Just something to look for in the future.
 
04fxdwgi said:
If you are referring to the two 1/2 to 3/4" holes in the lower / outer part of the gimbal housing at 4:00 and 8:00, then those holes are exhaust ports also. Exhaust and water will come shooting out those holes when the boat is run on muffs when out of the water. Perfectly normal.
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Cool! Thanks!
 
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