Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

[laxray]

After having my prop stop spinning we pulled the couch out of our Celebrity 180 1994, stern drive is 4.3l alpha one, and in searching around the motor found a drive oil reservoir that had been knocked loose and fallen in to the back of the the engine compartment. I managed to remount it in the proper clip but it was dry or at least fairly dry. I have since pulled the boat out to deal with the fried stern drive.

My question is where does this oil flow to? I was thinking it somehow makes its way down to the stern drive but I'm not sure how? My understanding is the there should be no oil in the bevels, not sure if there is some other place it makes it's way down.

Any suggestions would be great. I have a huge support staff of retired mechanics and machinist, even the local boat store to sound off of.

Thanks

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

If its a GEN II ,the bottle has a hose that goes thru the transom and connects to the outdrive using a special valve.
Having the bottle tip over and not be seen suggests you missed pulling the engine hatch . Even tipped over it should not have caused a drive failure.
If there was no oil in the bilge or in the bellows then you missed a leak by not checking under the hood.

 

[laxray]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

In a correctly working boat is there a sea of oil around the u joints?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

No, the bellows are supposed to be free of any oil and water. If there was enough oil in the bellows it would migrate to the bilge thru a vent hole.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

In a correctly working boat is there a sea of oil around the u joints?

Do you mean inside the U-joint Bellows that keeps the U-joints dry from water? No, No standing oil should be in the area of the U-joints. The drive lube bottle gravity feeds the stern drive to help keep it full of oil. Your job is to check the oil reservoir from time to time and keep it full using Mercruiser High performance gear lube (oil) along with checking your engine oil.

You should also be changing these oil's every year, two at the latest.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

go here http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/97/97hs2.pdf page 2-36 and find # 37 and items 26-32

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

Nope that Area should be mostly dry and clean...in a perfect world.

 

[laxray]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

That diagram cleared up some questions. Thank you. If I am looking at purchasing a new complete sterndrive, what else do I need to look at while I have it off? Gimbal bearing, new bellows, anything else? I was planning on going ahead and replacing plugs, wires distributor cap and any old hoses.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

Everything you need to know is in the manual link. pay attention to where bellows adhesive is used. You glue the large rubber ring in place. if dislodged, it will allow water into the bellows and drive

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

After having my prop stop spinning we pulled the couch out of our Celebrity 180 1994, stern drive is 4.3l alpha one, and in searching around the motor found a drive oil reservoir that had been knocked loose and fallen in to the back of the the engine compartment. I managed to remount it in the proper clip but it was Dry or at least fairly dry. I have since pulled the boat out to deal with the Fried Stern Drive.

If the Monitor Bottle was empty or upside down you should have had an Alarm sounding in the dash, warning that the bottle was empty.
Check the wiring to the float switch in the bottle for problems.

It normally has 4-6 ounces in it. The Oil level in the bottle and a general inspection of the engine compartment should ideally be checked at the start of each trip or at least once a week to see if you are consuming Drive Oil.
This could very well be the reason you have a Fried Stern Drive.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

If the Monitor Bottle was empty or upside down you should have had an Alarm sounding in the dash, warning that the bottle was empty.
Check the wiring to the float switch in the bottle for problems.

It normally has 4-6 ounces in it. The Oil level in the bottle and a general inspection of the engine compartment should ideally be checked at the start of each trip or at least once a week to see if you are consuming Drive Oil.
This could very well be the reason you have a Fried Stern Drive.

If the bottle was upside down, how would the alarm sound?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

the newer ones have a float inside wired to the alarm system

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

If the bottle was upside down, how would the alarm sound?

You are correct!
Upside down would be the same position as floating UP. No Alarm!
This would explain the empty bottle with No Alarms.

Good Catch!

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

Was that a trick question?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Empty drive oil reservoir!!!

Was that a trick question?

I think it was!
The real question is how the bottle ever got hanging upside down.
Mine is in a bracket that requires that you remove bolts to free the bottle.
The hose comes out the bottom so pushing it out top is not an option.
It almost sounds like it was done intentionally, but I can't understand why! ??

All just another reason to inspect the equipment regularly.