HELP!!! Gen 2 Outdrive problem

[vip33]

Ok so, I saw this on here somewhere else, but my outdrive oil resevoir was empty, and now it has oil back in it. This is 2 days later. Been sitting on the trailer ever since. What gives? I know I have a leak somewhere, but where? Why would gear lube show up again?

Also while checking for leaks around the foot, I noticed a crack. Very top of drive in the center. On the round part (looks like a half circle) oil isn't milky. I only noticed after I trimmed it down while on the trailer. Is this a very bad thing? I will try and get pics. It is right behind the square top cover that is bolted down on the drive.

Any help appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[vip33]

Re: HELP!!! Gen 2 Outdrive problem PICS ADDED!!!

Re: HELP!!! Gen 2 Outdrive problem PICS ADDED!!!

Ok here is a pic of where my crack is. What should I do?

Red line is the crack!!!

Thanks!

 

[erikgreen]

Re: HELP!!! Gen 2 Outdrive problem

I'd be wondering what caused that. The bell housing (where the crack is) is a big, solid piece of metal.

If it's more than a surface crack (goes all the way through) then that housing has been or is under a tremendous amount of stress, and you need to figure out why... did the sterndrive hit a big rock, or hit the road, or is the casting corroded inside?

If it's not all the way through, just fill it with some marine-tex and sand and paint. If it is all the way through, then it'll need to be welded or replaced.

It's important to figure out how it happened so you know if it'll happen again, or if something else is going to fail because of whatever caused that crack.

If you can't figure out where it came from, then you could repair it and watch it very carefully for more cracking. If it gets worse then I'd look at replacing the bell housing.

Erik

 

[vip33]

Re: HELP!!! Gen 2 Outdrive problem

Erik,
Thanks for your help. Yea, I haven't hit anything, no drive line vibrations, and like I said, I wouldn't of even been looking at the outdrive unless my gear oil had been low. Goes to show, check and double check. I think it's all the way through. Starts at the leading edge of the housing (closest to the bow) and runs about 3 inches down. I have only owned the boat about a month. Couldn't see it when I bought it, cause it was trimmed all the way up. Then in the water, it was submerged. Oh well. I will break out the Tig, and get to work, and keep an eye on it!!!!

Thanks again!

Michael