Oil in water OMC drive

[Renken owner]

Hello, the last time I had a nasty noise comming from my drive and I've pulled the drive yesterday. As you guys said my bellows was shot and also my U-joints and gimbal bearing. I have ordered those parts allready.
After pulling the drive (it did come off quite easy) I did see a lot of rust and water in the bellows. I even did see some fish swimming in it! (well, not quite true but there was water enough though).

But another thing that's worrieng me is the oil that I drained from the drive. It was creamy light-brown so there is water in it. The question is; where does it come from (apart from the water it drives in). Is this normal when there is water in the bellows or has some other part met his maker? And which parts I have to check?

Thanks in advance,
Frank

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Oil in water OMC drive

The leak can be from anywhere there is a seal! ...or a crack in the lower unit (usually the cone) from hitting a rock or other submerged object. There are seal kits available for the upper and lower units. Some of this work is best left to marine mechs that have the necessary tools( like presses) to take everything apart, and who know the torque specs and glues necessary for certain parts like the impeller shaft. Also, re-shimming may be required if gears are changed requiring further tools)

It's also best to pressure and vacuum test the drive with all the new seals to see if any of them are leaking. Be prepared to spend a fair chunk of change. Drives require many hours of work and once they are taken apart, surprises are quite common (i.e. worn gears at $500.00 a set, etc.)

I was quoted $3000.00 to fix mine. OUCH!!! I got away with less because I refused to replace some gears which showed some wear, knowing full well that I am taking a chance that we need to reopen it again, hopefully at a much later date. (I don't use my boat that much other than to do a bit of water skiing and tubing at the cottage.)

Here is a place that works on OMC and where you can get some of the more intricate parts:

http://www.sterndrive.info/

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil in water OMC drive

The water in the bellows came from a bad bellows. Replace it, Replace the gimbal bearing and ujoints also.
The water in the drive came from the water in the bellows. The front seal in the drive is not designed to keep water out, only oil in. You will also need to replace the input shaft seal and possibley the yoke. If the yoke has a groove where the seal rides or it's rusty, it will not seal on a new seal.

 

[Renken owner]

Re: Oil in water OMC drive

So, when there is water in the bellows then it will also get in the oil of the drive. Thanks, thats what I wanted to know (and hear). In that case I assume (and hope) that there will be no other leak and won't bother now to disassemble the upper or lower drive further. I'll check it later and if there is water in the oil again I shall change the oil more often till I have more time to do the whole drive.
I'll also order a new shaft seal and check the yoke for grooves and if it's only a bit rusty I'll pollish that part.

Thanks guys,
Frank