Boat

Have Boat Questions? Ask a Boat Repair Expert.

Connect one-on-one with {0} who will answer your question

I have a 1987 Mercruiser 5.7L (2BBL) Alpha One. I started…

Customer Question

I have a 1987 Mercruiser...

I have a 1987 Mercruiser 5.7L (2BBL) Alpha One. I started it up today to take it out and noticed that it is squirting water out the back of the engine at the center up above the flywheel housing and what appears to be immediately below the intake manifold. The hole is a little larger than 1/4" and when I put a drill bit in it the bit goes in probably 2 1/2". There are three holes across at this level and they're all about the same except this one allows the drill bit to go in a little further, probably an extra 1/4" +/-. This is the very center hole. This hole appears to be the top center hole in the actual bellhousing. What I can't tell is whether the water would be coming from a busted gimble bellows or a pushed out freeze plug behind the flywheel, or some other source

Submitted: 5 years ago.Category: Boat

Show Less

Ask Your Own Boat Question

Answered in 4 hours by:

7/19/2015

Marine Mechanic: K. Kergan, Marine Mechanic replied 5 years ago

K. Kergan, Marine Mechanic

Category: Boat

Satisfied Customers: 1,031

Experience: 24 yrs exp. Inboard/Outboard mechanic Mercury/ Mercruiser, Volvo Penta and OMC, Johnson/Evin.

Verified

Hi, my name is ***** ***** tell you that it won't be coming from the bellows, if the bellows leaks, water comes in through a small hole in the transomassembly just above the shaft.Is there any water in the bilge?

Customer reply replied 5 years ago

Yes the water builds up fairly fast when it comes out. It squirts pretty good out that hole.

Customer reply replied 5 years ago

I keep trying to upload short video but wrong format and it won't let me.

Customer reply replied 5 years ago

There should be a photo of the hole attached

20150718_102519.jpg2015071...jpg

Marine Mechanic: K. Kergan, Marine Mechanic replied 5 years ago

When I asked if there is water in the bilge, I was wondering if the flywheel could be throwing up bilge water.
Apparently the water is coming from the flywheel housing.
The only place it can come from is one of the freeze plugs unless the block is cracked.
There is no other source there.

Marine Mechanic: K. Kergan, Marine Mechanic replied 5 years ago

There must be water coming out below as well?
Excellent picture, by the way.

Marine Mechanic: K. Kergan, Marine Mechanic replied 5 years ago

It's the flywheel throwing water that makes water come out that hole.
Behind the hole is just a solid part of the block and they never crack right there. A short distance below the hole is the open area for the flywheel.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes

How JustAnswer works

Describe your issueThe assistant will guide you

Chat 1:1 with a marine mechanicLicensed Experts are available 24/7

100% satisfaction guaranteeGet all the answers you need

Related Boat Questions

I upgraded my mercruiser 5.0L alpha (2BBL Thunderbolt 5

Hello. I upgraded my mercruiser 5.0L alpha (2BBL Thunderbolt 5 ignition 1998 - serial no: OL346230) by replacing the longblock to Quicksilver 5.7L Remanufactured longblock (part no 807449R50 - 1996 an… read more

Jason

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade School

22,043 satisfied customers

Kerry! Mercruiser ALPHA 1 had a nice shifting alpha 1 but

Kerry! Mercruiser ALPHA 1 had a nice shifting alpha 1 but noise was coming from between engine and lower unit. Removed out drive to replace gimble bearing,seal,drive shaft bellows, EX bellows,raw wate… read more

K. Kergan

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,031 satisfied customers

I have a Mercruiser Alpha 1, Gen 11 outdrive. Its attached

I have a Mercruiser Alpha 1, Gen 11 outdrive. It's attached to a 5.7 Mercruiser engine Recently I had the shift bellows replaced and a little before that I had the Gimbal bellows done. The mechanic wh… read more

Tan

MerCruiser Certified Technician

Certified Marine Technician

11,409 satisfied customers

1987 Merc Alpha One. Found after freezing winter storage to

1987 Merc Alpha One. Found after freezing winter storage to have a cracked propeller hub, all gearcase oil on garage floor. Removed outdrive, found water in U-joint bellows, but cannot see or feel any… read more

K. Kergan

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,031 satisfied customers

Have been advised the gimble unit on my 1990 SeaRay 260 Mercruiser

Have been advised the gimble unit on my 1990 SeaRay 260 Mercruiser Alpha One needs replacing. I suspect the outdrive also needs some repair. Therefore, would like to know the cost of a new gimble unit… read more

Jason

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade School

22,043 satisfied customers

Hello, I have a mercruiser 1987 Alpha one, Generation One

Hello, I have a mercruiser 1987 Alpha one, Generation One outdrive that leaks outdrive fluid and water into the bilge. In the summer of 2010 I noticed that the outdrive oil reservoir level would drop … read more

Tan

MerCruiser Certified Technician

Certified Marine Technician

11,409 satisfied customers

Is there supposed to be a seal on the flywheel at the spline

Is there supposed to be a seal on the flywheel at the spline fitting for the stern drive driveshaft for a Mercruiser 1986 Alpha One MR, and if so, what are the dimensions, part number etc?… read more

James

Certified Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

4,094 satisfied customers

Mercury alpha 1 gen 2 hello, im a plant mechanic for a hospital

hello, im a plant mechanic for a hospital and regularly work on chillers,pumps,boilers etc... heres my question. i have a 1995 welcraft with a alpha1 gen 2 outdrive. the gimble bearing has started to … read more

Jeff G.

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

4,730 satisfied customers

On Alpha I 2d gen 1994, attaching U-Joint Bellows to inside

On Alpha I 2d gen 1994, attaching U-Joint Bellows to inside of Bellhousing using the inside retainer ring. Question is: What is the procedure to insert the retainer ring?… read more

Tan

MerCruiser Certified Technician

Certified Marine Technician

11,409 satisfied customers

Im trying to replace the exhaust billows between the stern

I'm trying to replace the exhaust billows between the stern & outdrive. It's on an Alpha 1 / Mercruiser 470. I've tried fastining it to the stern end & lowering the out drive, I've reversed it & faste… read more

Dominick

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,009 satisfied customers

1996 Sea Ray with 5.7L Mercruiser Alpha 1 with a leak around

1996 Sea Ray with 5.7L Mercruiser Alpha 1 with a leak around the shift cable area. Have replaced all of the boots and ensured clamps are tight. What else can I check? A friend told me it may be one of… read more

K. Kergan

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,031 satisfied customers

can i get directions on replacing the gimble bearing & b

can i get directions on replacing the gimble bearing & bellows on my volvo ocean series xdp drives… read more

Dominick

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,009 satisfied customers

Hi, On my mercruiser Alpha 1, the cooling water does not

Hi, On my mercruiser Alpha 1, the cooling water does not come out the prop, rather it pours out between the bellhousing and leg. So I assume the exhaust bellows is broken. Is it imperative that it is … read more

shane j forrest

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

270 satisfied customers

Hi....I need to replace the water intake hose on my mercruiser

Hi....I need to replace the water intake hose on my mercruiser 175, with an alpha one sterndrive. Is there any tricks to this as ive heard it can be very involved?.... or are there any step by step re… read more

Master Tech

Service Manager/Technician

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,167 satisfied customers

I have a 1994 merc Alpha one w/ 4.3 2bbl engine. Everything

I have a 1994 merc Alpha one w/ 4.3 2bbl engine. Everything works AOK, except that I am now hearing a mechanical (bearing, u-joint?) noise when the unit is in neutral trimmed all the way down. trim up… read more

Master Tech

Service Manager/Technician

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,167 satisfied customers

We have a 1998 Pennyan 22 boat with a V-6 Mercrusier Engine

We have a 1998 Pennyan 22' boat with a V-6 Mercrusier Engine and Outdrive. The engine was replaced with a larger brand new V-6 "drop in" Mercruiser 4.3 liter model MCM with "Thunderbolt Ignition", dis… read more

Dominick

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,009 satisfied customers

hi, I have a 1976 bonanza with a 165 mercruiser i/o, i am in

hi, I have a 1976 bonanza with a 165 mercruiser i/o, i am in the process of replacing my bellows again , and I noticed my gimbal ring has excessive play at the bottom pivot pin. I do have a replacemen… read more

Dominick

Marine Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,009 satisfied customers

I just replaced my bellows and bearing in my mercruiser alpha

I just replaced my bellows and bearing in my mercruiser alpha 1, I got everything back together, tilted the outdrive up while adjusting trim limit and trim gauge and saw that the smaller bellow (exhau… read more

Larry B.

Marine Service Tech

High School or GED

574 satisfied customers

Disclaimer: Information in questions answers, and Show More

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.

JustAnswer in the News:

What Customers are Saying:

Wonderful service, prompt, efficient, and accurate. Couldn't have asked for more. I cannot thank you enough for your help.
Mary C.Freshfield, Liverpool, UK

This expert is wonderful. They truly know what they are talking about, and they actually care about you. They really helped put my nerves at ease. Thank you so much!!!!
AlexLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for all your help. It is nice to know that this service is here for people like myself, who need answers fast and are not sure who to consult.
GPHesperia, CA

I couldn't be more satisfied! This is the site I will always come to when I need a second opinion.
JustinKernersville, NC

Just let me say that this encounter has been entirely professional and most helpful. I liked that I could ask additional questions and get answered in a very short turn around.
EstherWoodstock, NY

Thank you so much for taking your time and knowledge to support my concerns. Not only did you answer my questions, you even took it a step further with replying with more pertinent information I needed to know.
RobinElkton, Maryland

He answered my question promptly and gave me accurate, detailed information. If all of your experts are half as good, you have a great thing going here.
DianeDallas, TX

< Previous | Next >

Meet the Experts:

Ted G.

Rigger, Diagnostician

2,678 satisfied customers

40 years boating, Safe boating instruct., Offshore Race promoter, Failure Analysis, Expert Witness

Dominick

Marine Mechanic

1,009 satisfied customers

25 Years Experience as Mechanic, 20 Yrs Boat Yard Owner/Mechanic, Factory Certified

John White

Marine Mechanic

306 satisfied customers

11 years experience working on outboards, inboards, sterndrives & pwcs

Jason

Marine Mechanic

22,043 satisfied customers

Degree in Marine Technology. Gas and diesel marine mechanic.

Tan

MerCruiser Certified Technician

11,409 satisfied customers

40 yrs. experience with complete engine repairs both inboard/outboard and MerCruiser Certified Technician.

Jeff G.

Marine Mechanic

4,730 satisfied customers

42 years experience, Certified Master Technician, All Major Outboards, Sterndrives, Hi-Performance

Captain Dave

Marine Mechanic

2,672 satisfied customers

USCG Licensed Captain, 20+ Years Boating, Fishing, Maintenance and Repair Experience

< Previous | Next >

Show MoreShow Less