Gear Lube level

[dy168]

Hello all,<br />I am new here. I have a 2004 SeaRay with a Mercursier 3.0 Alpha I I/O engine, just finished the break in period with 20.5 hours. I took the boat out 5 times, howcome the gear lube level in the reservoir went down about half an inch each time. I called the dealership, they said it is normal because there is probably an air pocket inside the line and the it is normal for a new engine. I checked and there is no gear lube leaking out. I have poured in at least 200cc so far from day one. Is this normal? Should I believe what the dealer said to me? I am due for the 1st 20 hours break in oil change. Any suggestion? Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Gear Lube level

Yes it's normal. But after it "Burps" the air out of the line and the top of the drive (above the vent plug) it should hold steady. But,it shouldn't loose 1/2" of gear lube each trip (5 times).<br />Sounds like the drive needs to be drained and pressure tested.<br />If the lube starts turning a milky green, that's an indication of water getting into the drive also.

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

Don S, the lube is in green colour. When I go for my 1st 20 hours break in oil change, I will let them know about that 1/2" down after each trip. Thanks

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: Gear Lube level

Welcome to iboats riverwolf! Hope you find the site as helpful as I have.

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

Hi RedRangerVIP...thanks.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Gear Lube level

riverwolf,if you have added 1 1/2 inches of oil in the resevoir,you have a leak.If you don't see it,it maybe at the u-joint shaft,going into the bellows.Burping? No way.I'd have way too many customers looking for gear oil top offs.<br /><br />Also if outdrive was ...mis-installed... the shift shaft can distort it's seal and leak (should be visable)<br /><br /> DHP

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

DHPMARINE<br />I just checked my gear lube bottle, there is 760ml left and it holds 946ml when full. So I have poured in 186ml of gear lube into the resevoir so far. So, you don't think this is normal. The service manager at the dealership said it is normal. I am due for my 1st 20hr break in oil change. Should I raise hell when I do my oil change? What do you suggest?

 

[Don S]

Re: Gear Lube level

I said right to start with:<br />

,it shouldn't loose 1/2" of gear lube each trip (5 times).

DHP said:<br />

if you have added 1 1/2 inches of oil in the resevoir,you have a leak

You said:<br />

I just checked my gear lube bottle, there is 760ml left and it holds 946ml when full. So I have poured in 186ml of gear lube into the resevoir so far

Two of us said you have a leak and you keep proving it. What do you want to know????

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

Don S, Take it easy ok...I am new to this forum and new in boating. I am not here to offend anyone. DHPMARINE said it wasn't burping but a leak somewhere. It seems like he was trying to argue what you said. You didn't say it was leaking but "....shouldn't loose 1/2"....." and "....sounds like the drive needs to be drained and pressure tested". I wasn't proving anything but telling DPHMARINE the facts, so he knows more about my situation....OK! Don't forget I did call the sevice department and they told me it is normal for a new engine to do that as long as I didn't see any leak anywhere. I am not a mechanic and of course I will listen to what trade people say to me. BTW, you started off your message saying "IT is normal" but not DPHMARINE.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gear Lube level

I wasn't getting excited, I just don't understand what you want to hear. <br />I probably should have said an initial loss of fluid is normal until it burps the air out of the top of the drive. But then it should hold steady and not need 1/2" of added gear lube each time you go out. That is a leak! Since the drive is underwater, there is no way you are going to "See" the leak as your dealer is suggesting. It may only leak when it is running. That is why I said the drive needs drained and pressure tested.....That is done to find a leak.

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

Don S, I am bringing the boat back to the dealer for the oil change anyway. I will tell them to drain the drive and pressure test it and tell them what DPHMARINE mentioned like u-jount shaft and bellow. I don't know anything about the engine. I just don't want the dealer telling me crap which is not true. It should be free anyway because I purchased the boat only in June. BTW, is it a big job to repair a leak?

 

[skicat]

Re: Gear Lube level

I have a 5.7 250hp alpha1 gen 2. Over the course of the summer, 40 hours run time my outdrive oil dropped almost 1 inch. It was not down to the add fluid level. When I had it winterized I mentioned this to the dealer. He said it was nothing to worry about but would have it checked for leaks. When I got the boat back he said everything looked good and no leaks were found. Should I be concerned?

 

[Don S]

Re: Gear Lube level

For them to pressure test it, they need to pull the drive off and look at the front seal also.<br />On 20 hour inspections, we always pull the drive and check the alignment, if there was oil in the bellows it would be noticed then. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to pull the drive, check the alignment, look around and put the drive back on.<br />While the 20 hour service is not free, if a leak or other problems are found, the repaires would be under warranty.<br /><br />One thing we do on a 20 service (We do this on our own, not per Mercruiser) is if the customer bought the boat or engine package from us, we do the service labor for free. The custome pays for the oils. This also allows us to make sure evey thing on the engine and drive is ok. Especially if we installed the engine package.

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

I purchased my boat at MarineMax and oil change cost $120. I thought it was very expensive at first comparing for an auto oil change which is $15 or less. I actually want to ask you a question. Last time while I was out on the lake, when the boat finally reached 20 hours and I put it in full throttle. It seems to me that the engine doesn't sound smooth and I can hear hesitation. It is also true when I tried to accelerate speed, this was a little hesitation first. Was it because of the type of gas I use? I was told to use mid-grade (89 octane) instead of regular. Do you recommend to use gas treatment at all?

 

[tommays]

Re: Gear Lube level

the first question i would ask you about the motor is does it have a water sepator <br /><br />it looks just like an oil filter but is between the fuel tank and the fuel pump<br /><br />if you have a gas 10% blend in your area it is very easy to get water in the fuel<br /><br />i think it is still and option on a 3.0<br /><br />what was you WOT (wide open throtel) rpm i have a 3.0 and find that most boats with them come with a prop on the to big side.<br /><br />if you compareing it to other motors it is not as smooth as the v-6 or v-8 motors<br /><br />tommays

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

Tommays, I don't know if my engine comes with a water separator. I always check my engine compartment and it always dry, the water pump never turned on before. Do you recommend me to get one? My prop has a 14.25 diameter and 21 pitch (whatever that means?) I never checked the WOT, next time when I go out, I will.

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

Tommays, I just checked the engine, it doesn't have a separator in it. Do you know what kind of buy?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Gear Lube level

I might suggest that you get a Seloc or Clymer manual for your drive and engine. Sold by model year---they are on ebay for about $35. Read all about the oil levels, fuel filters, prop setup, etc. Then come back with questions. It will also help you understand what your dealer and mechanic are telling you.<br /><br />PS----talk directly---one on one----with the mechanic at your dealership.

 

[dy168]

Re: Gear Lube level

ddboaer, thanks for the advice. I located Clymer manual for the 2004 Mercruiser sterndrive but not the Seloc. Thanks again.

 

[tommays]

Re: Gear Lube level

river<br /><br />i perfer the merc manuals the others cover every engine made in 2004 the merc manual will be just for a 3.0 <br /><br /><br />the water doesent come from the bilge<br /><br />water build up in the fuel tank is a part of boating it just builds up in the tank from the vent and getting hot and cold <br /><br />if you dont have a sepator i would due it through the dealer at this point <br /><br />i was asking if your area has a blended gas because the ethanol blends take on water much easery than 100% gas<br /><br />tommays