05 XStar leaking at prop strut - HELP!

[MarkS]

Got the same problem on a 2008 Xstar. Do you remove from the outside/underside of the boat and replace or do you have to get in under the motor ?

[FoggyNogginz]

Thanks! I took it to the dealer today, and even some of the service guys were surprised at how much water drains from the seal, but it does appear to be perfectly normal on these newer models. I have the Ilmor 5.7, and they use an even larger hose on the dripless seal than Indmar did, which creates a pretty serious flow of water. Check out the video to see this thing drain after I pull it out of the lake. This was a real shocker to someone who used to own the old style seal with the brass nut and wax rope!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nL93kIWvdY

[ccelia]

Not sure if it is normal or not but my 2009 X45 does the same thing when I pull it out of the water. My bilge is bone dry and the pumps never kick on which leads me to believe that it is normal.

[bcd]

It's normal. The dripless uses engine water as it's cooling supply. When you have the engine off and the boat out of the water, it's essentially draining the engine out the dripless seal. Mine usually drips runs for a while, and then eventually burps a large amount of water out. Be careful, it can be hot water coming out of there.

[FoggyNogginz]

Anyone? Thoughts on this? I'm thinking of heading to the dealer tomorrow with a list of items to check out.

[FoggyNogginz]

Seth - So, would it be (potentially) normal for water to run from this seal for 2-3 minutes after going on the trailer?? My 2002 X9 didn't do this, so I was a little freaked out. TIA



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[seth25]

The newer drip less shaft seal will have a water supply line to cool the seal. If you are running the boat from a fake a lake or similar devise, yes, water will be coming from the seal.

[FoggyNogginz]

I pulled my 2012 X14V out today and water was literally pouring from the shaft seal. Seems odd since the bilge never ran even once all day. I guess I need to fill the bilge up with a hose and see if I can recreate the problem, and/or run the engine from the installed flush valve. Other thoughts here are certainly welcome.

[btmswhite]

Thanks for the advice. The shaft seal was shot and completely burned out. It was close to disintegrating when it was taken out. Dropped a new seal in there and no more leaking.

[Bruce-ActionWater]

Most likely the packing gland. In 2005 the gland was not lubricated by water like the 2006 and newer. It probably has finally failed if it has not yet been upgraded to the new style. I would start there.

[seth25]

Had the same problem on my 05 x45. If you filled the hull up with water on the trailer, then that's the leak. Start with the shaft seal first. It will "leak" from that spot if you run with a fake a lake on the trailer. Than is designed for cooling. This is if it has the newer style dripless seal with the cooling line. Mine was the older style with no cooling line. It should not leak there with boat not running. Check that the line going to the dripless seal is connected and check for holes. Also check that the clamps are tight. If this all checks out, you will need to replace the seal. Not a fun job on my boat with the 8.1. Basically had to stand on my head to get down to it.

[GoneBoatN]

The other reason you need to check to see if water is coming in there from inside the boat is that if you do have a OJ dripless installed, there is a water/cooling line that runs to it. On mine, that water/cooling line runs between the dripless and a fitting on the oil cooler. That dripping you see could be normal as it is just draining from the cooling lines.

[GoneBoatN]

Now that you found it by the fill the bilge test, put the boat in the water and examine the same area inside the boat. Given it's a v-drive, flashlight and inspection mirror will come in handy. Find out if it is coming through the packing/dripless or somewhere else.

Have a look see at this thread of an example of what somewhere else could be - http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/...ad.php?t=52945. This is a direct drive but same thing. Although if that were to be your case, the v-drive puts the engine right above the shaft log and will make doing the same repair a bit more difficult. Not sure if new boats have this same design so it is just a thought.

[btmswhite]

this one is definitely dripping! so much that the bilge turns on every hour or so. Need to get this tightened up.

[snork]

I could be wrong, thought it was '04 for the XStar