Gear oil in bilge?

[91capri2050]

Hi, I have a 91 Bayliner Capri with 4.3/Alpha One. Took it out today, and ive been noticing the past few times some oil in the bilge. There is now a pretty good bit, and ive only used the boat 5 times this year. I have determined that it is gear oil, my question is, where is it coming from?

 

[Stachi]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

how did you determine it is gear oil?....if it is because it looks thick and brown , that is how motor oil will look when sloshed around in bilge water...

 

[91capri2050]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

how did you determine it is gear oil?....if it is because it looks thick and brown , that is how motor oil will look when sloshed around in bilge water...

the unmistakeable odor. i checked the oil in the engine, its full.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

sorry you are having this problem. I hope it doesn't rock yer wallet badly...lol....might be a good time to post this question on the Repair and Maintenance forums.....a whole bunch of seasoned motor heads in there...I have learned PLENTY in those rooms....try the Force and Chrysler Outboards, or,the Mercruiser,OMC.Volvo & other I/O& Inboard Engines & Outdrives forum...good luck bro

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

Loosing gear lube through a bad input shaft seal, it's filling the bellows and weeping out the bellhousing drain, just my guess. Are you adding gear lube.

 

[91capri2050]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

Loosing gear lube through a bad input shaft seal, it's filling the bellows and weeping out the bellhousing drain, just my guess. Are you adding gear lube.

i havnt added any yet, or even checked. can that seal be replaced when i do my bellows? that would be the easiest time, correct?

if someone could move this thread to the mercruiser forum i would not mind.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

Do you have the Gear Lube Monitor system? The plastic bottle will split around the bottom and leak down the hose. Ends up in the bilge.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

can be done with bellows, but how much water is in your drive pushing the oil up and out your input seal? Not mention when you get low on oil your gears and bearings in the upper tend to self destruct. And that can take you to the bank.

Time to do the bellows now and fix the leak.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

Very common issue on Alpha Drives. The fix is to remove the outdrive (8 bolts), and remove the seal retainer, behind the U-joints. It takes a spanner to remove it.


Now inspect the yoke for a groove, where the seal rides. When you find it, replace the yoke, seal and Oring. Grease the U-joints, splines and install new gaskets and Orings, when you install the drive

 

[91capri2050]

Re: Gear oil in bilge?

No gear oil monitor system. There is a bit of water that enters the bilge, but im fairly certain its coming from the shift cable boot. I was trying to delay the bellows until after the season, but I guess we will see. Any rough estimate on how much that seal replacement would run at a marina?