Air escaping from stern drive unit

[8x56mn]

I put my 19 foot Sting Ray into the slip yesterday. The boat has a Merc. Cruiser 140 and I noticed air bubbles escaping from the bolt on flange gasket off the upper unit where it connects to the back of the engine. Should I be concerned, it was a very small leak I believe, but not sure if this will cause me problems. The boat is now in the slip, and the flange is of course above the water line.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

If it is the gasket between the lower unit (out drive) & the bell housing (the thing with the six studs), I would be very concerned......<br />If the large rubber o-ring or was damaged or reused when re-installing your drive, it may no longer be water tight......<br />That would allow water to enter your bellows area & destroy your ujoints, gimbal bearing, and yoke seal....Then water would get into the out drive.....<br />I would go have a look at it ASAP, if you have any unexplained water in the bilge, I would be wary......<br />There is a small hole over where the input shaft enters the boat at the transom.....<br />If you have any water seeping from this hole, you have a problem ....JK

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Ayuh,.... JK's Right,.....<br /><br />You have Cause for Serious Concern.......

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

It's the flange that connects the upper drive unit to the bell housing, not he lower unit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Ayuh,........ That's a Problem........

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> If it is the gasket between the lower unit (out drive) & the bell housing (the thing with the six studs), I would be very concerned<br />Let's just say: the drive.....<br />Read rest of my first post......<br />You need to pull your boat out, pull the drive & inspect o-ring & gasket.....JK

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

OK I went to the boat to take a closer look and I realised that it's the cap on top of the out drive that was weeping air bubles. This is the cap that covers the upper drive. Could this be from just filling the drive with new oil and all the air had not vented?

 

[tommays]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

NO that would be even worse if you really think you have air you need to check FAST<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Ayuh,........ That's a Direct Shot Into the Oil Cavity of the Outdrive,......<br /><br />The Good Thing is you boat in Freshwater,.......<br /><br />And,.... Hopefully,..... You Haven't even Started it Yet,....... Right,..???...<br /><br />Your Drive is in Serious Trouble,........Time is Not on your side.......

 

[Don S]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Don't get me wrong here 8X56, but you are playing with a lot of very expensive parts here, you don't even know what they are called or what they do. I think your best bet would have a qualified tech at least look at it and verify it there is actually a problem or not.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Well Don, I took your advice and pulled the boat out and had it checked, nothing wrong, mechanic said if there had been a leak there would have been oil in the water. He thinks the air bubbles were comeing from the exhaust and appeared to be coming from the cover.<br />Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

It's to Bad you had to go thru that,.... But,......<br /><br />Better Safe,...... Than Sorry........<br /><br />By your description,...... I figured you have a Real Problem going on.......

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Glad all is ok...<br />Oil in what water?<br />If everything is sealed right on the drive, oil & water never touch, but.....If water were getting into your bellows, water & oil wouldn't mix until the yoke seal started to leak...<br />Glad all is well, the way you described it, it did not sound good.....JK

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Yup, tomorrow I take her out for some fishen. This downrigger stuff is all new to me, but been reading and bending a lot of ears. I have bought all new gear and a ton of lures. I've been a serious hunter and collector all my life traveling around the world, but never got into fishing that much and boats are another challenge, but I'm learning. My wife says it's a mid life crisis. I'm trying to get my grandsons down, but with school and them living so far away it's tough. Anyway thanks to everyone for all the sound advice, hope I didn't bug you all to much with stupid questions. I did get a manual and have fully acquainted myself with the mechanics of the motor and drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

You Lucky Dog,........... <br /><br />There's Still Ice in the bays up this way,+ the smaller lakes are Still Frozen,...<br /><br />And,...... I've got a Broken Boat to fix yet,..... <br /><br />I'm Hopeing for a few Football Browns off the beaches just south of here,......If I Don't get That,.....<br />I WILL be On the Water for the Walleye Opener............ <br /><br />My Battlewagon is Fully Equiped for the Lake Ontario Fishing I Do......<br />

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Very nice outfit, yea ice, I use to live in Sandy Creek and was born and raised in Redfield. I know about ice and snow and that's whay I now live in the finger lakes. <br />How do you post pictures on this site. Hey landed my first ever land locked Sunday, some good eating. I'm learning!!!

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Originally posted by 8x56mn:<br /> How do you post pictures on this site.

Here is a link to a post I wrote...hope it helps<br /><br /> Posting Pictures on iboats <br /><br />-JMW

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

I use to live in Sandy Creek and was born and raised in Redfield.

Eeewww Boy,............<br /><br />Any chance you know any of the Collins's or Clarks,.......<br />That's My Love's Family,...... She's Born,+ Raised in Sandy Pond/ Sandy Creek..............

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Yes I know them, We had a fishing lodge and dog boarding and grooming buisnessd on South Main St. Sangary Kennels and Shady Rest Lodge. Iused to know Lance preety well and my son Fred was real good friends with one of the Clark boys I recall.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air escaping from stern drive unit

Lance is Debbie's Oldest Brother........... Deb's the Baby of the Clan......<br /><br />Small World inwhich we live........<br /><br />Wait til I tell her tonight......