Bad drive oil leak

Fritz400

Recruit
Joined
Jul 23, 2021
Messages
3
Hey everyone I recently bought my first boat, a 2001 Tracker tahoe mercruiser 4.3 alpha one gen 2. I've taken it out 3 times since owning it, and each time taking it out I've had to completely fill the drive monitor within a couple hours of being on the water. I believe it is leaking inside the bilge somewhere because I have never been able to see any oil on the outdrive whatsoever. But at the same time it also had an engine oil leak(which has been fixed now) leaking from the oil pressure sender so it was hard to tell what's what. I took the outdrive off and the gimbal area had some water and possibly a little oil mixed with a ton of disgusting grease. I drained the lower unit and the oil was a nice blue without any water but the oil in the monitor is brown. I also noticed the water port o ring was really corroded and not sealing well at all. So I guess what's where the water is coming from? My question is can this be where the oil is leaking or is it most likely leaking inside the bilge? So sorry about the long post. BTW all the past work done to this boat so far I've corrected has been done half assed so idk if someone put cheap parts into this outdrive and that's why it's having problems or what but I'm trying to get everything fixed now that I've learned so much about boats in the last couple weeks of buying it
 

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Rick Stephens

Admiral
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
6,118
I you are losing oil you need to drain and pressure check the drive. No other way. Anything we can tell you is flat out guesses. Drain the oil, make up a pressure tester and go to looking for your leak.

A new to you used boat needs ALL the maintenance done before you go shredding water with it. Don't piece meal it. Get the manual and start at the beginning and do all the regular maintenance. Skipping it and going boating is a good way to spend a few thousand fixing stuff you should have caught.
 

Fritz400

Recruit
Joined
Jul 23, 2021
Messages
3
I pressure tested it and it immediately drops to 8 psi, and I have now noticed there's an oil film running down the lower which is coming out of the water intake. so I guess this is where it's been leaking. is there a certain seal that it would most likely be coming from in that area?
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,281
Well, there is no such thing as a 'good' oil leak. :unsure: As stated, pressure check the outdrive, make sure the bellows are in good shape and seal up properly when you re-install.

Sometimes the leak can be from the gear oil reservoir to the transom, other times it is the outdrive itself.
 

Fritz400

Recruit
Joined
Jul 23, 2021
Messages
3
Thanks for the write up!
 

Grub54891

Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
6,216
Quite possible it's the shift shaft seal leaking in the lower half of the drive. Seen it more than once if it's coming out of the weep holes on the front of the lower. easy fix if it is, hope that's all it is.
 
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