4.3 Mercruiser With Stern Drive Fluid in Bilge

jtw

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 10, 2004
Messages
34
Like the title says, my stern drive reservoir is empty and my bilge is full (of stern drive fluid). I don't see any leaks inside the engine compartment. I wrapped a paper towel around the quick connect fitting at the transom, and it stayed dry. I checked the vent screw in the stern drive, and it is full. But the level in the reservoir is still dropping. Can a seal leak in the upper unit be so bad that it leaks back through the drive shaft bellows even when the boat is sitting up in the boat house? The drive is in the full down position. Thanks.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: 4.3 Mercruiser With Stern Drive Fluid in Bilge

Drive is leaking into the ujoint bellows, then it goes into the bilge.
 

jtw

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 10, 2004
Messages
34
Re: 4.3 Mercruiser With Stern Drive Fluid in Bilge

Yes. So it leaks past this seal, even when the boat isn't running? I wouldn't have expected that.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: 4.3 Mercruiser With Stern Drive Fluid in Bilge

So it leaks past this seal, even when the boat isn't running?

Of course it can.
Pull the drive and look. That's the only way you are going to find out for sure.
 

fossill

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
427
Re: 4.3 Mercruiser With Stern Drive Fluid in Bilge

Check under your reservoir too. I had a leak, although minor coming from the level sensor.
 
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