How much trouble am I in?

[anamod]

First of I don't know much about boats so bear with me. At the end of last year I hit a rock with my prop pretty hard. So I had a new prop put on and I never took the boat out again (I had it winterrized at the dealer and out it in storage). I have taken out a couple times this year and it ran fine.

I have a Volvo Penta 5.0 Gxi
Last weekend I notcied that there was an oil slick under my lift. I checked that lower unit dip stick and when I loosened it a watery oil mixture (mostley water) came out from behind the prop. It was not coming from the drain screw but actually behind the prop. The dip stick oil looked clear with almost a green tint to it didn't really look like motor oil. I know that lower unit oil is different. Once I tighted the dipstick the leaking stopped.

So is it safe to add some more oil and take it off the lift and drive it to the launch to bring it to the dealer?

And what might be the issue?

Could it be a broken seal or a bent prop?

Im I possible looking at a new lower unit?

And is that watery oil discharge a bad sign.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: How much trouble am I in?

Drain outdrive oil and see if it has water in it. If it does it needs something. Needs pressure tested to see what seal needs replaced.

 

[anamod]

Re: How much trouble am I in?

Do you think it is safe to drive it to the launch? Its a pretty good distance from my lift. Also can a seal go out that fast? I have had the boat for 1 year and have about 20 hours on it

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: How much trouble am I in?

the gear oil I use is perfectly clear. What came out when I changed the rotor was dirty / but that is all cleaned up now, so I expect it to be clean from now on. so compare to whats on your dip stick, or vent cap. you dont have your location listed in your profile, so tell us where you are, but did you get hit with the heat wave this week, could just be a bit of expansion from the sun/heat on the drive in the sun out the vent .
did the dealer replace, or rebuild the prop, he should of inspected the drive for you

 

[anamod]

Re: How much trouble am I in?

Im in Minnesota. I had a brand new prop put on at the dealership. There was a good deal of this discharge when I opened the dipstick. No it has been pretty cold here this summer so far.

 

[dubs283]

Re: How much trouble am I in?

your best bet is to have the boat towed to the ramp, don't risk running the drive while it is leaking lube, you may end up messing it up worse than it already is.

most likely it is a wrecked propshaft seal and possibly a bent propshaft.

pressure test, disassemble, and inspect drive unit

 

[gadget73]

Re: How much trouble am I in?

The water will settle to the bottom, so I wouldn't really expect to see much on the dipstick up top. If you really cannot tow the boat to the ramp, drain out oil from the bottom until it comes out like normal oil, then refil the drive so you're working with 100% oil. Bearings absolutely hate being run with water, and they will tell you about it by self destructing.