www.iFourWinns.com

New boat owner here. 1994 four winns 190 horizon. 5.0 cobra package (ford). Seems water is pouring in through shift cable bellows. I have the book and it says nothing about replacing. Any help is so much appreciated.

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe

I had mine leak also. At the time I didn't know much about boats so my buddy did it. He replaced all of them. The hardest was the exhaust. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it's recommended to replace them every 5 years.

_________________
1995 Fourwinns Sundowner 195
Tow-2005 f-150 5.4

The cobra shift cable bellows is up in the engine compartment on the cable tube, takes about 10 minutes to chage.

_________________
Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

In 1994, you could have Old Style Cobra outdrive (OMC) or New Style Cobra (OMC made the same as Volvo SX)

If it is Old Style, you have 2 bellows under the outdrive:
1. The lower one is the exhaust bellows, and it actually does not matter if that one leaks. Newer Bellows already have drain slots cut into the bottom of the bellows so it does not hold water.
2. The upper one houses the Drive Shaft & Universal Joints. It must not leak. If it does leak, water goes into the boat, and also wets (and ruins) the universal joint bearings.

The shift cable comes through the transom bracket and up through a "Hose" that is about 1-1/4" diameter. This hose is water tight at the transom bracket end, and the other end is open (or covered with a small bellows) and must be above the waterline. This open end has a small bellows on it that Borchik might be referring to, but that bellows does not matter because it is always above the waterline. I had to replace this "Shift Cable Hose" (that is not the correct name for it) on my old Cobra Drive (1987). It required pulling the engine, and removing the "Exhaust Y-Pipe" to be able to get to it.

If you have the new Style (Volvo SX style), then I am not yet sure how the shift cable is routed or sealed. New style outdrives have a hump on the top, Old style have a flat top.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Turns out that its not the shift cable bellows. I filled the boat up with water and it comes out around the exhaust. I pulled the motor, then the Y pipe. The O ring is replaced and in place. I put the Y pipe back in. Filled it again and have the same problem. Like its leaking under the Y pipe. Water comes out by the anodes at the bottom of the gimbal ring.

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe

And thanks so much for the info so far. I really do appreciate it.

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe

Please make sure you are not putting enough water in the boat to get the starter wet.
Well assuming that the Y-pipe is not leaking, then it sounds like the gimble housing needs to be re-sealed to the transom.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

I will look at it tomorrow morning. I did replace it because the u joint tore the original one up. I am concerned if the one i have on it now might be the wrong one. Once again, thanks so much.

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe

Apparently there is a difference in gimbal housings. I didnt bother to look, out of inexperience, at the shape of the exhaust flange on the one i picked up. The one that broke had a lobe that went down. The i got goes up. The y pipe lobe goes down. Water is coming in through the bellows, as it should, and coming in the boat through the lobe on the y pipe. My thoughts are to fab a plate to go in between and use the old o ring on the y pipe side, and the new o ring on the gimbal housing side. Only concern is if will cause back pressure. Any thoughts?

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe

I once had to make a plate like this for an OMC. I made mine out of 1/8" SST, however, in hindsight I think I would make it from 3/16" Aluminum. This area is very subject to corrosion, and mixing SST and Alum could cause the aluminum to corrode faster due to galvanic action.
I used the 0-ring on one side, and just form-a-gasket on the other side.
If you have a machine shop make a plate (or can fab one yourself) and you have an exhaust hole approximately the same as your new gimble housing, then you should not be adding any back pressure.

ps. I might still have a CAD file for the shape of the plate that I made. If you are going to have a shop make one, and they have CNC equipment, this could save you some time. PM me if you need this.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

This is great. I made the plate out of stainless steel, and was waiting to hear back. I am so glad i came to this site. I am more glad to have your knowledge. Happy boating to come back for Labor Day.

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe

The plate worked. I epoxied the low spot on the y pipe. Siliconed between the plate and y pipe. Slapped it all together. Fluids all remain where they should be. Lake water in the boat included. None. Just in time for labor day at lake mead. What a journey this was, but boy have i learned a lot.

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe

That's great. Welcome back to boating instead of boat repair

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

It is so great. I love how you can post issues here, and everyone seems so willing to help out. Saves us all thousands in labor. Now i can buy fun parts. Extended swim deck. Tower. Boards, etc...

_________________
Tow= 08 Ram Big Horn 4 x 4
1994 Four Winns Horizon 190. OMC 5.0 Ford. "B.O.A.T."
Las Vegas Joe