Merc 225 3.0 exhaust and water leak

[snapmorgan]

So I will start out by saying, I am a mechanic, but not an outboard mechanic. I have a boat with a pair of 98 model 3.0's, carb engines. One engine is noticeably louder than the other. I have exhaust and water coming out of the "vents?" on the lower cowling, the square rubber tubes on the front and rear of the lower cowling that go into the midsection. I removed the lower cowling and I can see water coming down somewhere around the vertical shaft. Where do I proceed from here? Pull the power head I assume? Thanks in advance for the help.

Full disclosure; saltwater boat with around 650 hrs

Thanks

[Jim Speros]

I'm having trouble with your description. Square rubber tubes front and rear of lower cowl?
The exhaust is in the rear part of engine and exhaust plate. The vertical shaft is near front and has engine mounts on either side of it.

Pulling powerhead is typically the first step. In Saltwater pulling powerhead which is usually an hour or less can take all day with studs stuck in exhaust plate.

Maybe you can show a picture and hope to get a better response on your question. If it is louder something is broken or eroded away.