Bravo One Oil Leak (but gear oil is not milky white)

[pyrotek]

I have a 97 Bravo One outdrive that has been slowly leaking oil all year. I have had to re-fill the resorvoir with about 1/2 quart over the course of the summer. When in the water, I can see an occasional oil drop coming up from somewhere around the outdrive. I would say about one small drop per minute. It could even be the exhaust - who knows.

Just changed the outdrive oil for winterization and I was suprised to not see milky white oil. It was clean and dark green.

So, how can I figure out where this is leaking from? I would rather not do the pressure/vacuum testing since I read Mercruiser does not recommend it. Are there probable places for it to leak without water coming in? If the oil I see in the water is really outdrive oil, I would suspect it is more near the prop than the bell housing since its about 1 ft away from the stern.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Bravo One Oil Leak (but gear oil is not milky white)

I would rather not do the pressure/vacuum testing since I read Mercruiser does not recommend it.

A pressure test is ok to do to help locate a leak. Mercruiser does not recommend doing a vacuum test.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Bravo One Oil Leak (but gear oil is not milky white)

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Did you happen to unscrew/remove both the drive drain plug and vent plug and put new fiber washers on to rule out that's where it could be leaking from?

Mark

 

[pyrotek]

Re: Bravo One Oil Leak (but gear oil is not milky white)

Did you happen to unscrew/remove both the drive drain plug and vent plug and put new fiber washers on to rule out that's where it could be leaking from?

Mark

Nope, haven't had easy access to it over the summer. I will put new fiber washers on it when I refill it, as I did the end of last year.

I think the lower drain washer is still on the drive since it didn't come off with the screw. I didn't bother looking for it last time since its submerged in the draining oil. I'll inspect it next time now that the oil is finished draining.

I'm not familiar with how many "seals" there are to keep the oil inside.

 

[ssb33r]

Re: Bravo One Oil Leak (but gear oil is not milky white)

ouside the boat you'll have the prop shaft seal, the washer on both plugs upper and lower, and an O ring between the upper and lower, then there is the input shaft but that will leak oil into your bellows. Odds are its the prop shaft seal. Prop shaft has 2 seals, one to keep oil in and one to keep water out