Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

[krazymatt]

I have a 2002 Mercruiser alpha one, 3.0L 4cyl. 140hp
What would cause my gear oil resevoir to be completely empty all of the sudden? There is no oil on the garage floor. I must've lost it last time I used it. Does this mean I need a new lower unit? :'(Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

Check the drive for gear lube, pull the top vent plug and see if any gear lube comes out, then drain the rest of the gear lube and check the magnet for metal. No reason to assume you need a new drive just because the reservoir is empty.
My suggestion would be to pull the drive and check for gear lube in the bellows.

 

[krazymatt]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

The thing is I've used it twice this year, and the first time I verifyed that all levels were good. Last time, I didn't check it before I used it, and today I was going to go out, and I checked it and there was nothing. So that means I lost it last time I used it and I was tearing it up on the lake, so I'm sure I did damage.

 

[Don S]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

Did you consider that only the reservoir may be empty not the drive?
I sure wouldn't go buy a new drive just because the reservoir is empty without at least checking some things.

 

[Don S]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

No name with the bayliner.
Best to register, login, then start your own thread instead of just tacking on to someone elses post.
It gets real confusing with 2 different things going on in one thread.

 

[krazymatt]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

I called my local bayliner dealer, and they told me to remove the plug and check the gear lube. If it is milky it's not good(whatever that means). If it's not milky it's a seal. Well, it was milky, and it smelled kinda funny. Now I know it is going to be an expensive fix. Anyone have any opinions?

THAT IS MY POST!!!NOBODY IS TAGGING ON!:|:devil:

 

[Don S]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

THAT IS MY POST!!!NOBODY IS TAGGING ON!

It's impossible to tell when you don't have a name.

I mentioned checking the gear lube in my first reply and also to pull the drive and check in the bellows. You never mentioned milky gear oil in your first post.
I reseal drives all the time and just because there is milky lube in it doesn't mean it's totally destroyed. It needs to be pressure and vacuum checked to find the leaky seal, then disassembled and inspected. You may not have serious damage to anything in the drive, but you won't know without looking.
But if you are dead set on buying a new drive without checking, then go for it. It kind of sounds like that's what you want to hear.

 

[krazymatt]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

Thanks, but being that you re-seal drives all the time doesn't help me any. The dealer charges 95 bucks an hour. Either way it will likely be expensive. I'll trade the boat in for a new one before I start paying for expensive repairs. Is this common on Inboard boats?

 

[krazymatt]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

Kevinbeach, if you're not going to answer the question, don't bring more drama to this post please.

My point is whether I need a new drive or not, I'm still looking at spending between $1,000, and $2,000 to get it repaired. So allow me to ask the question again. Is this common on inboard rigs? Thanks

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

Is it common to get water in the oil? Sure. Or at least, not uncommon.

Nor should it cost $1,000 to simply reseal the drive. I understand you not wanting to spend a lot of money rebuilding an outdrive that may be shot. I just put a new one on my boat last summer. But the chances are good the unit can be simply resealed.

If you are that concerned about it, why not ask the dealer / mech what it would cost to simply reseal the unit and pressure check it? At tleast that way you will know what it MIGHT cost - best case scenario.

For what it is worth, in my experience, (limited though it may be), you can usually tell pretty quickly whether an outdrive can be saved once it is taken off. Long before you have soaked much money into it.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

waaaa waasaaa waaaaa
freaking chillins. DonS tole ya what tro check.
boating aint free.
dont be cheap
its seals. they frewaking fail. on everything.
do the maint or pay the repairs.

 

[Don S]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

Rodbolt, is that swelling I see around those red spots?

 

[calwldlif]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

Dude
Don't listen to theses guys!
your drive is shot!
don't walk by it , it might fall off
and smash your big toe.
put yellow tape around the boat!
you don't want someone getting
too close!
sign the pink slip and I'll be over to haul it away!
I will only charge 100.00$ to get it out of your
life!
Peace:devil:

 

[KRS]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

C H E C K T H E D R I V E F O R O I L ! ! !

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

What a laugh...instant gratification rules, keeps the economy moving too! Perhaps that's the answer to all of our problems...disposable boats! Run em hard and throw em away. Well at least you live up to your name.

Good luck, I hope your drive's not fried.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

DonS
could be.
the skates have worn me out this week.
everyone waited till june 28th to try to get their neglected beasts water ready. however I am off on a 4 day weekend I actually have one boat in the water and 2 others ready on the trailer.
I told them my boats are ready regardless
Krazymatt
your problem could be anything from a simple shift shaft seal to water in the bellows that caused the input shaft seal to fail.
the oil system on the drive is a closed system. if the resevoir needs more than a few ounces of fluid once then its leaking.
if oil can leak out water can leak in.
fix it before it gets expensive.

 

[krazymatt]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

For you guys who answered my questions like men, I can't thank you enough. 8)

For the rest of you babycrys that have more mouth than brain, I'm so sorry for not using please and thank you mam...:|

 

[bamadave]

Re: Why is my Gear Lube Resevoir empty???!!!

More mouth than brain? Someone who doesn't give a S... enough to open the engine compartment to check the fluid levels should have second thoughts of ridicule.
But to calm your fears, my crystal ball says you are in for HUGE repair bills in the future. I have no problem charging $100.00 per hour for people that have more money than sense. If you are not willing to pay a little now for PREVENTATIVE maintenence, don't ***** when something happens to your toy.