Slow leak A1G2 transom shields.-gctid804479

[ozbucko]

After 16 months refurbishing the boat I took off for Easter and came back to find that I have a slow leak coming from the rear of the Stb transom shields.

These were replaced in October last year with new bellows, gimbal bearings, cables, hoses etc.

It appears that the leak is not from the small hose near the gearbox lube feed to the leg but near that area and slightly lower.

It is a slow leak that is dropping down onto the coupler area.

I tightened all hose fittings in the area and it still leaks around 2-3 gallons per 24hr.

[Ruffryder]

Upper SQ steering shaft

[builderdude]

"ozbucko" post=804479 wrote:
It appears that the leak is not from the small hose near the gearbox lube feed to the leg but near that area and slightly lower.

It is a slow leak that is dropping down onto the coupler area.

I tightened all hose fittings in the area and it still leaks around 2-3 gallons per 24hr.

First thing directly under the lube fitting is the input shaft seal (u joint bellow area) further below that is the shift cable bellow. You sure it's not the water tube area or higher up like Joon said (square shaft seal) ? Stuff some paper towels around the area to help pin point where it's coming in.

[ozbucko]

Replaced November with seals and SS pins.

[Chief_Alen]

Shift shaft bushing .

[ozbucko]

More info please Chief.

[Chief_Alen]

every time you shift the drive the shaft wiggles wearing the bushing the shaft passes thru.

change it every 2 years when the impeller is changed.

could be your leak

[builderdude]

"Chief Alen" post=804515 wrote:
every time you shift the drive the shaft wiggles wearing the bushing the shaft passes thru.

change it every 2 years when the impeller is changed.

could be your leak

Chief, I'm not familiar with everything Alpha, is the bushing you refer to between the exhaust port and u joint bellow in the bell housing? And is there a modification or replacement that includes some type of seal also? Just curious....

[Ruffryder]

Yes the bushing is between the exhaust port and drive shaft hole, on the bottom of the upper drive shaft hole.

Failed shift shaft bushing will usually leak water into the shift cable cavity...ruining your shift cable every time.

It is almost impossible to leak into the drive bellows since there is a large O ring , drive shaft yoke sits tight against.

[Chief_Alen]

Mis-read the first post ?

I'm getting old.

Joon could be right, also there is a weep hole that allows water into the bilge if you have water in the drive shaft billows.

# 13 leaking that damn gasket ... #11 leaking seen that a couple of times.

[ozbucko]

Thanks Chief, these seals were replaced when the new transom shields were fitted in Nov plus a bead of sealant around the outside.

11. is a bit low as the leak appears to be from slightly above the top of the drive shaft boss but on the inside of the shield.

I am thinking that I may have a failed top pin seal.

I will do some more contortions in the engine room and use the old tissue test to see if I can confirm the leaks source.

[Chief_Alen]

Again my apologies !

[Ruffryder]

Also Look carefully around the hole where 2 pairs of trim sender wires comes thru...there are 2 halves tapered bushing/seal to be tight.

[ozbucko]

Thanks, I am familiar with these parts.

They were also replaced when new trim sensors were fitted to both legs in November.

However I will have a look just to be sure.

[ozbucko]

So we spent another four days away and I had a chance to get in and around the engine bay and try and identify the source of the leak and it appears to be from the Y joint.

I didn't have a mirror to look up and confirm but the area where I first thought it was leaking from was where the plastic through tube is located but was fixed by just tightening up the clamp.

The only other concern is that there are rust stains on the lower part of the transom under the inner shield but there was certainly some severe dripping from down near the Y joint to shield.

I take it this will be another major job requiring the boat to be pulled from the water again for the same job as done in November?

Will I need to pull the engine to fix it with Part number 11?