High Performance Gear Lube Color - Bravo 3

[OllieC]

I recently put a drive cooler on my Bravo 3 because its seemed every season my drive lube would be almost black. We do a lot of cruising between islands and sometimes I'll be on plane for 45 minutes. Anyway, I drained the fluid for winterization and this is the color (see pic). This season I didn't have as many hours because of other issues, but I'm not used to the lube being this color. Is this okay - I've never seen bright green like this? The streaks are from the replacement gear lube I added after draining the old stuff.

 

[Scott06]

I recently put a drive cooler on my Bravo 3 because its seemed every season my drive lube would be almost black. We do a lot of cruising between islands and sometimes I'll be on plane for 45 minutes. Anyway, I drained the fluid for winterization and this is the color (see pic). This season I didn't have as many hours because of other issues, but I'm not used to the lube being this color. Is this okay - I've never seen bright green like this? The streaks are from the replacement gear lube I added after draining the old stuff.

I would think that means you have some mositure coming in.

I use High perf gear lube in my alpha one gen 2 - after 40-50 hours each season ti comes out the same color as it goes in. I also use it in the jet pump on my sea doo instead of buying the 9 oz Sea Doo synthetic gear lube bottle for $15, and it comes out looking like what you have. It isnt uncommon for me to get a little water in the jet pump, so would assum you have the same with your bravo 3

I cant see a drive cooler having anything to do with it.

 

[dingbat]

Definitely contaminated with water.

Did use use a new gasket/ seal the last time you changed the oil?
Sometimes you get lucky, other times you don't

 

[alldodge]

The B3 runs hotter then other drives, but seeing it black would have me add a drive shower.

 

[OllieC]

Definitely contaminated with water.

Did use use a new gasket/ seal the last time you changed the oil?
Sometimes you get lucky, other times you don't

I had the marina do it last year because I had the u-joints replaced however I couldn’t find one of the gaskets. It doesn’t mean it wasn’t on there but I did it Friday night in the dark. I also checked to make sure it wasn’t stuck inside either hole. I used two new gaskets this time.
Thats a bummer if I’m ingesting water

 

[OllieC]

The B3 runs hotter then other drives, but seeing it black would have me add a drive shower.

I did.

 

[alldodge]

B3's are known to start to leak over time. If it was my drive I would watch it but would look into seal replacement yet.

If adding the shower changed it from Black to what it is now, then all good

 

[OllieC]

I guess I’ll take it in next Spring to have a pressure test and figure out what’s wrong. She’s tucked away for the Winter. I was hoping the bright green was a good sign.
B.O.A.T. s

 

[bruceb58]

I would be doing a pressure test. Also, when was the last time you pulled the drive to inspect for water inside the bellows? How old are the bellows?

 

[Lou C]

as others said that bright green definitely suggests some water intrusion, it is usually a dark bluish-green.

 

[OllieC]

I would be doing a pressure test. Also, when was the last time you pulled the drive to inspect for water inside the bellows? How old are the bellows?

Drive was pulled last fall. New bellows, trim senders, gimbal bearing, shift cable, and u-joints were all replaced last Fall. I added the shower last Spring. Prior, the bellows were only 6 years old.
I stay up to date on all maintenance, but I don’t do outdrives. I leave that to the marina.

I’ll bring her in to the marina in the Spring and have what needs to be repaired, repaired. IIRC I had a touch of water that I noticed in the oil a couple years ago but it was a brown streak in dark green almost black lube, and probably should have had them do a pressure test last year. I “ass”umed that I didn’t have the plug in all the way. Plus, I saw zero leaks from the seals.

 

[poconojoe]

The B3 runs hotter then other drives, but seeing it black would have me add a drive shower.

Just wondering.....what is a drive shower?
At first I thought it was a typo!
Guess not...
So, I'm guessing it's some form of a spray that cools the drive.
Please explain. Inquiring minds....

 

[todhunter]

The drive shower's I've seen are passive devices (no moving parts) that pick up water from the boat's forward motion and spray it onto the exterior housing of the drive. Google "simrek drive shower" for some images. I've also seen folks make their own.

 

[alldodge]

Just wondering.....what is a drive shower?
At first I thought it was a typo!
Guess not...
So, I'm guessing it's some form of a spray that cools the drive.
Please explain. Inquiring minds....

There are various types, I have the Simrek so no holes are needed


Drill type

 

[bruceb58]

Prior, the bellows were only 6 years old.

LOL...only 6 years old?

Hopefully, you store the drive in the down position. I change my u-joint bellows every 5 years.

I do not have a drive shower and have no plans of installing one.

 

[OllieC]

LOL...only 6 years old?

I do not have a drive shower and have no plans of installing one.

Yup - fresh water and a 3 month boating season. Bellows looked fine but had it done anyway.

Neat.

 

[alldodge]

Think mine (1995 model) was around 20 years old when I first replaced my boots (still looked ok). Drive removed every year for inspection and drive maintenance. Gimbal and U joints are still original.

 

[tank1949]

Yup - fresh water and a 3 month boating season. Bellows looked fine but had it done anyway.

Neat.

Perhaps you implied and I didn't catch it, but I would not let that contaminated lube stay on OD all winter. Just my 2 cents....

 

[bruceb58]

Perhaps you implied and I didn't catch it, but I would not let that contaminated lube stay on OD all winter. Just my 2 cents....

He drained it...that's what you see in the pan. personally, I would not be running it next year though without pressure testing it first.

 

[tank1949]

He drained it...that's what you see in the pan. personally, I would not be running it next year though without pressure testing it first.

But the bearings are still coated with contaminated lube?????