www.iFourWinns.com

I am really scratching my head on this one...........Backed the boat into the water, started her up, looked over my shoulder after about 6 mins and the bilge-pump was running????? Opened the hatch and about 30 to 40 gallons was in the bilge........pulled back up the hill, removed the plug, drained, looked, found no obivious reasons. Backed back down, here's what I found.

It does not leak with the drive-up, running or not. When I go in on the drive, before full-in, it starts pouring water, running or not, from somewhere bottomish. It would sink the boat in less than 30 mins. Its not the drive-bellows, checked that tonight, dry.
The only thing at this point I can figure is the hose that the shift-cable runs through has became loose on the inside of the gimbal-housing. It's a large hole , about 1-1/4 dia., enough to provide the water-flow I'm getting. If it is said hose, the motor will have to come out...........You cannot access it from inside the transom.......The one thing I'm gonna do tomorrow, which I did not do today at the ramp, ( I had a 6 and 9 year old distraction-factor with me )is fill it up with water, lower the leg and see where the water comes from.
I just thought I stole this boat. Now it's biting me back...............Sheeszh

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

Wow, hate to hear this but glad you were able to get it back out as quick as you did. Be sure to check that bellows carefully... they can look fine until you pull the folds apart, or they can be loose at the ends. But it sounds like you've nailed it down.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I pulled the drive Mike, U/J bellows is dry, I replaced it a few weeks ago..........I think when the drive is up it puts enough tension on the cable-hose(??) that it seals, then when the drive is lowered, it pushes it off the housing...Just a guess at this point. I have thrown in the towel for today...I've been shopping for new(er) boats tonight, but realism set-in, this ones paid for. I'll scrape a few more layers of skin off. WTH........... I'm not giving up on the old bitch........

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

Paid-for is GOOD...

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

+1 Paid for is Very Good. Once you sort out where the leak is, it will be fine, and if you are doing the work yourself it is only the price of the parts

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

If you do need to pull the motor, a couple of good options.
Know someone who works with or owns a forklift.
Get to know the guys at the local rental store and buy them a case of beer.

I just take them down to the store and it takes 20 minutes and they will help jerk it out and put it in.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

Sometimes a "steal" is not always what you end up with.
Glad you did not sink.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

At least you know your bildge got a good wash out...

I was amazed at how much water you can pick up via the shift cable. My old Thompson would pick up gallons from that "little leak".

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

I am glad you found the leak the way you did!!!

That is way I just added a extra pump to my boat. You don't know what could happen.

It's still deal even if I have to put more time and money into it. There's a stopping-point with anything, but right now I'm way ahead of the game. Plus I enjoy tinkering with stuff. My last new boat ,02 Sea-Ray 225 Weekender, was down-right boring, nothing but service and cleaning, and the thick payment book!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

I'm going to do that too. Now...................just in case.

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

After you get done tinkering, or with the boat. Which never happens!!! You will know one end from the other. So if anything goes wrong, you have a clue were to go and what to do. I have a new boat, has not hit the water yet!! I have already put in 40hrs+ and still not were I want it!! YES, we love to tinker..

Took it out today after some "Adjustments" Not a drop in the bilge.............Count-down to the coast-22 days..... Now it's on to getting the car-tires off the trailer.........

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

OK we are still wondering, what was the solution...bellows...shift cable tube...transom seal....what.....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Here's the deal. If I posted this on I-Boats, I would be deemed a threat to society........ Those guys truely crack me up sometimes..

I tightened my transom-plate........

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL