Is this normal?

[55'Fleetwin7.5]

Just rebuilt the lower unit on my fleetwin. Took it out to the lake and it ran like a dream and shifted perfectly. Overnight I lost maybe an ounce of lube on the floor.... I checked the screws and they did need a little tightening. Now it is full again and a very very small amout seems to come out jst at the base of the prop... I mean not even enough for a drop to fall overnight, it just shows up on the skeg... Is this normal or do I need to go back in and fix something... I am getting ready to rebuild my other one and I want to make sure I get it right.

Thanks

 

[F_R]

Re: Is this normal?

Leakage is not normal.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Is this normal?

You are about to embark on my least favourite task - resealing the lower unit. Did you use new seals when you rebuilt it? At the very least you should have replaced the drain/vent screw washers, the spaghetti seal and the o-ring around the gearcase head. If you used a new spaghetti seal did you cut the ends too short? Did you also use silicone with the spaghetti seal?

Also, you are sure its gear oil, right?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Is this normal?

Leakage is not a good thing. Did you dry everything off after re-tightening the screws ???

 

[55'Fleetwin7.5]

Re: Is this normal?

I replaced all the items you listed BUT did not use silicone when replacing spaghetti seal... Is it too short? I don't know... I cut it flush to the end of the channel... Is that too short? Also, the one I replaces was black and seemed a bit fatter than the orange one that came in my kit... I thought that maybe it was just because it flattened out. So, where from here? Do I go back in? I hate doing things twice but it could be I need to pay some stupid tax!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Is this normal?

Is it too short? I don't know... I cut it flush to the end of the channel... Is that too short?

Yep. Your manual would have told you to all about 1/32" overhang at each end. Do you need to reseal? Dunno. How much leakage can you live with? If gear oil comes out, water will probably get in.

 

[55'Fleetwin7.5]

Re: Is this normal?

Off to the dealer for the new seal... Stupid Tax! What about the silicone?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Is this normal?

This isn't a big deal. In fact, its a pretty cheap and easy fix if the spaghetti seal is the source of your leak.

I just use Permatex blue silicone. I fill the channel and coat the contact surfaces, but try not to use so much that it squeezes into the gearcase.

The black seal was probably the original. The orange one is fine.