A mechanic showed me a water cooling hose pinched off by reinstallation of the mid-section cowlling following a previous repair. This hose connects to a fitting that sprays water onto the drive shaft to cool and/or lubricate a bearing I believe. Had been noticing smoke comming from around the top of the drive shaft after starting the motor, and burning plastic or rubber smell.

Replaced the hose and had to clean corrosion out of the terminal fitting to get water flowing again. Put cowling back on but still had smoke after starting motor. Took cowling off again to check for proper and unobstructed routing of hose, then reinstalled and put vessel back into service.

After motor sat idle for one week starter would not turn flywheel. Thought it was a low battery, but was not. Removed plugs to reduce compression and got things moving, replaced plugs and got engine started which resulted in a lot of smoke from top of drive shaft.

Motor seems to operate ok but if it sits idle for more than 3 or 4 days starts to stiffen up, making starter labor, and after another 1 week idle stint had to repeat the above procedure to get started.

Any comments or suggestions? Can't find any good information, drawings or break downs for this assembly .

Need to compression and leak down test done on engine, check engine oil for water or gas in it.

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