Expert: Everett Peacock - 1/5/2009

Question
Back in August I had my boat out for a day of fishing.I have a 1987 Bayliner with a 4 cyl I/O while about 13 miles out I noticed I was taking water on in the engine compartment to the point it was filling up in a short period of time.I pumped the water out and raced back to shore.The boat was never checked afterwards for the leak.I am guessing there is a gasket on the upper and lower outboard that attaches to the boat and it might of went bad.
what can I do to find out where the problem is without having to put the boat in the water again to find the answer.Do I need to remove the upper and lower stern drive.
Is this something I can do?Again the boat has sat for 6 months so I am trying to get it ready for spring and summer but before I do a tuneup I think this is priority right now.
Any suggestions as to why water is leaking into the engine compartment?
thanks
john

Answer
with the boat on the trailer inspect the u-joint bellows....on the drive there will be three hoses that have something in the side of it...,inspect the dig bellows from right to left for cracks and splits on the rubber....common problem when you get some age on them...