[myotherhorse]

Originally Posted by mikeyt

Sounds like you are down to a split in your drive bellows or the shift boot. My bet is on the drive bellows. To replace it you need to remove the outdrive and while you have the outdrive off you may as well inspect the gimbal bearing as well as the u-joints for wear. Removing the outdrive & doing these repairs is for the mechanically inclined. This is not something you will want to leave for any length of time or you may find your boat on the bottom of the lake.

Here's a link to a step by step instruction on doing this job so that u have an idea what you are up against if you are planning on tackling this one yourself.

oh boy! Frustrating cause I believe previous owner had just had the gimbal bearing done. Could it be it was not put back together properly and if so anyway to just check on and fix "that"?

[blockp]

There are some suggestions of items to check in this thread.

[myotherhorse]

Originally Posted by blockp

There are some suggestions of items to check in this thread.

Thanks I'll check it out.

[Andy b]

My money is on drive shaft bellows, either split or not sealed correctly after the gimble bearing was done.

[EricG]

I have to replace mine this spring. I had the previous owner change the shift boot before I bought it since I saw a hole in it. I told him to replace them all since it was apart but aparently he didn't. I was inspecting mine the other day and saw some cracking in the larger bellow. It doesn't take on any water yet but I will replace it this spring anyway. I think I am going to get my upper bravo III refinished since is has some corrosion on it(common issue with the Bravo III's). Luckily my boat mechanic only charges $700 to replace all the bellows and shift cable. Some of my buddies have went to the big boat shops and have been charged over $1000 to have the bellows replaced.

[myotherhorse]

With just two or three weeks left of good weather for boating...and the bilge pump is taking care of the water, would it hurt to run the boat for now and pull apart at end of boating season?
In other words, just how fast do these things sink? I don't want to be stupid about it, but also don't want to give up boat right now after just buying it. Also thinking whoever fixed the gimbal for the previous owner did not put it back together correctly.

[Lucky14]

If it is running enough to pump out water and leave an alarming amount of water in the bilge- it is time to hang it up for the season. As a first responder- you are putting the lives aboard and those who respond or give assistance to you if the boat should falter.

Craft will sink and sink fast given enough pressure and volume. Remember holes don't stay the same size. The tear in the bellows will enlarge given enough water pressure on it... the more it leaks the larger it gets.. the quicker it gets.

Don't go out with it like that

[Andy b]

What he said

It's bad enough when things happen out on the water, But you don't go out if you know you already have a problem!

[myotherhorse]

So it turns out the water is coming in thru an exhaust hole on left side of the engine. Turns out previous owner could not get parts for the yamaha outdrive and so put on a different one and shop that worked on it says when engine was put back in, what probably happened is the seals...gaskets...were not lined up correctly, letting a hole from the exhaust directly into the boat. He says we can fill it with spray foam the stuff that expands if it bothers us, or a caulking, use the boat till winter then take it in to have it taken apart and put back together correctly. He says it can't hurt nothing because any that comes out other side will just go into engine cavity. HOwever, there is some exhaust coming out of that hole, too. Know this because when we hook up with muffs and run, exhaust and water come out of hole on either side of outdrive as well as the prop. Know this because we tried using a clear caulking first and probably did not let it cure long enough, and when run engine on land (with muffs) it popped the silicone out. So it seems the seal must be on partially right.
Any thoughts? And, we also are having trouble with engine, owner left old gas in it. What forum is best to run through what we have done so far and ask for any suggestions?

[ColoradoDiablo]

First off I'd be finding another mechanic!
Any mechanic that would suggest a fix like that ought to be hung by his...........well you get the idea!
He gonna buy you a new boat when it sinks?
Fix it right , or pull it from the water for the rest of the season and fix it this winter!
Why in the hell would you risk your boat going to the bottom for a extra week or two on the water , much less your life or someone elses?

JMO , Guess I look at things different.