Force 50hp/water in gearcase!

[fishmongrel]

I bought an '89 Maxum w/Force 50hp a couple months ago, and when I changed the gearcase oil about 2-3 ounces of water drained out before the old oil did. I refilled the gearcase and tightened the screws down, then ran it in tub until it reached temp. I idled w/prop engaged for about 10 min. Then ran it with prop disengaged at high idle for another 1/2 hour. Altogether it was run in tub for a good hour to an hour and a half at mostly high idle. I checked the oil afterward and no trace of any water. What usually causes water to appear in the gearcase oil? A loose screw? I did tighten the screws much harder than they were previously (used a wrench on a screwdriver). Think I should take it for a short spin and recheck it, or should I head straight for the marina? Much obliged for your input guys.

 

[skeets]

Re: Force 50hp/water in gearcase!

Hello fish<br />Take it for a spin. You might get new washers/o-rings for those drain-fill screws,they are a good source for leaks. A lot of boaters replace the washers each time the L/U gear oil is changed.<br />Enjoy your boat.

 

[Walker]

Re: Force 50hp/water in gearcase!

Be careful running an outboard for any period of time in a tub. The water heats up and you motor can overheat.

 

[merc16]

Re: Force 50hp/water in gearcase!

yea sounds like the seals around the screws. take her for a spin. if you really dont trust it give it a pressure test gte an old bike pump and a thread attachment and pump it there should be no air leaking out of nowhere

 

[fishmongrel]

Re: Force 50hp/water in gearcase!

Thanks alot guys, I really appreciate it!

 

[12Footer]

Re: Force 50hp/water in gearcase!

As Skeets says, change-out the fill/vent screw gaskets each and every time they are removed. It's vital to do this. And make sure there is no trace of the old gasket in the seat or on the screw head. They are available in packs of 5 for 2.50. It allways cracks me up, they don't put six in the box Duh.<br /><br />Take her for a spin for an hour or two. re-inspect. If clean, you can safely assume the leak was at the vent/fill screw seals.<br /><br />But do check the L/U every time you change spark plugs, prop removal and inspection, decarb and pinion greasing (same intervals on all of these).<br />So make a day of it <br />Good job on catching the contamination before your l/u grenaded. You're one-step ahead of the crowd thru superior maintainence.