[Cruiser151]

Hello Everyone.
Newbie here I have a 1997 Mariah 191 SE Talari. I am taking on some water and need to find out where it is coming in. Had the boat serviced and service guy said the Bellows and gimble look good. He replaced the impeller and replaced gaskets and and changed fluids. Took the boat out Sunday and the first thing is water was dripping from under the dash (Speedo) , so I guess the line was clogged and not it is open now. So I have to track that leak down. Good thing is the Speedo still works. starting to accumulate water in the engine bay and ski locker I hit the bilge and its all good, pulled out of the water and pulled the main plug and i know it could have dam near filled a 5 gallon bucked. He said that I need to put it in the water and get a flash light and look around the engine compartment.
Ok I will but my real question hear is does anyone know of certain trouble areas I should be looking first?



Thank you in advance

[GregT]

The main culprits for excessive water in the bilge are usually bellows, shift cable bellows, and then internal leaks at the water pump or hoses. Since you were told the bellows are good, the next step would be to run it in the water and look for leaks around the engine in the cooling system. Depending on how long you drove around with the speedo line leaking, that may contribute a lot of water. Also, if you had ice in a built-in cooler, that may drain to your bilge.

I'd also be a bit concerned that you had that much water build up without the bilge pump evacuating it out the side. I would expect less with the pump working.

[Cruiser151]

Thank you, I will inspect the cooling hoses when i put it back in the water. My rear cooler was empty at the time. Unless the speedo line was leaking somewhere else also. the drippage on my feet was not enough for what drained out.
Thank you I'm on the hunt..

[mikeyt]

I would still have a close look at those bellows myself despite what the service guy said. They can split along the seams/folds and its very hard to detect.

[Cruiser151]

Yes, I believe so also..

[Lewy]

Hi,
i had a similar situation last year. Turned it was the shift cable bellows.
Only really noticed it when the leg was trimmed out then, it gushed in to the engine compartment.
Trimmed in the and the bellows are compressed, and far less water enters.

Might be worth looking at that on yours.
Good luck.

[Cruiser151]

Thanks , great direction I will look into it....

[Cruiser151]

I will inspect and probably throw a zip tie on the end just to be sure..

[GregT]

Let us know what you find.

[harrisdm]

One more issue to consider. There is a seal in the hole/bearing cavity for the outdrive swivel pin. If it is leaking, you will see water coming in around the shaft connecting the steering arm to the steering control. You do this while the boat is sitting in the water not moving. I have had that seal leak on both alpha and bravo drives.