Upper Shift Shaft Oil Leak

[Bruce1983]

I have an 88 Rinker with an Alpha I outdrive which has started to leak gear oil from what appears to me to be the upper shift shaft located in the bell housing. (pics attached).

I have searched the site, internet and manual and I am still having a hard time figuring out if this is a big (expensive) issue or something that can be fixed cheaply (possibly on my own).

I live in Ontario so the boat just came out of storage about 2 weeks ago. I had it winterized/serviced prior to storage in October.

The mechanic made no mention of milky gear oil, and when I brought it from storage I didnt see any leaks. I have moved it to my house and after about a week noticed the slow leak. I also cant figure out if gear oil should even be in the area above the upper shift shaft. The boat has not been run yet this year.

At this point any help and/or info would be greatly appreciated. I will provide any more info I can... Thanks.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft Oil Leak

check the level and color of the drive oil and cpmpare to whats on the shift shoe. whats there looks like regular A/F because of the greenish color.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft Oil Leak

looks like regular A/F because of the greenish color.

To me too, is this a closed cooling engine, 470 maybe? If it is, could be leaking exhaust riser.

 

[Bruce1983]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft Oil Leak

The boat is not closed loop cooling. 4.3L merc. The fluid is definitely the consistency of oil. Thanks for the input

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft Oil Leak

If it is in fact oil ,it could be coming from the inputshaft carrier seal.. Need to remove the drive to confirm or deny oil in the boot.
Was it winterized with reg A/F or the pink stuff, you could also do a taste test to determine oil or A/F

 

[Bruce1983]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft Oil Leak

I will check it on Sunday to see if it is A/F. Maybe the move home splashed some af into the exhaust area and it is just leaking out?? I will check with the mechanic as well. Thanks again. Will repost sunday.

 

[Bruce1983]

Re: Upper Shift Shaft Oil Leak

So the mechanic is out of town for a week so I cannot check with him regarding what he used. I checked the leaking fluid and it is the consistency, taste & smell of gear oil. I was hopeful regarding the a/f but I dont think thats what it is...

Any other ideas? Once the weather gets better (snowing again here) I plan to pull the outdrive to get a better look.

Thanks