KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

[DJZIMMET]

I PURCHASED A 1992 CHRIS CRAFT WITH TWIN OMC KING COBRA 330 HP 1/0 ENGINES. THE STERN DRIVES WERE TO BE TAKEN OFF AND STORED FOR THE WINTER. THE YARD DID NOT TAKE OFF AND STORE THE DRIVE UNITS. WITH THE SPRING THAW I NOTICED THE PORT LOWER UNIT DRIVE LEAKING GEAR CASE OIL (GREEN)RIGHT FROM THE PROPELLER AREA. MY QUESTION IS SINCE THE YARD DID NOT REMOVE AND STORE THE DRIVES COULD THIS HAVE LEAD TO A GASKET LEAKING PROBLEM? THE YARD CLAIMS THEY WINTERIZED THE ENGINES AND DRIVES. <br /><br />WHAT WOULD BE THE DAMAGE/COST FOR A LOWER UNIT REPAIR FOR THE SEALS. LOOKING AT THE MANUEL IT MIGHT BE SEAL(S) RIGHT BEHIND THE PROPELLER, NEEDLE BEARING AND O-RING. THANK YOU. DJZ

 

[marinemech1]

Re: KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

probably just carrier seals (fishline?) reasonably easy to repair cost depends on shop rate and if they remove and disassemble complete drive or just fix seals

 

[rodbolt]

Re: KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

you sure its gear oil and not antifreeze? some places still use ethylene glycol(prestone) to winterize. should be against the law but its not.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

I'll second Rodbolt's nomination here...the project boat I purchased last fall had just been winterized at a local marina. When I brought it home and dropped the motor down all the way to remove the drive and start my winter project I was surprised to see what was clearly a bunch of green glycol flowing out of the prop. Rather disappointing as I consider myself a bit of an enviromentalist and am very careful with disposal of chemicals and used oils, etc. Couldn't believe they didn't use something more friendly than Prestone. Based on that, they didn't earn this new boat-owner's business...I've been driving 10 miles the other direction to get my parts.<br /><br />It should be pretty obvious which it is, though...if gear oil, it's thick and very oily. Glycol is much runnier, about the same consistency as water, but feels a bit greasy when you rub it between your fingers.

 

[Lou C]

Re: KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

Some of the low tox antifreeze (propylene glycol) is green like the ethelyene glycol stuff, it looks the same. OMC's typically use the OMC hi vis or HPF gear oil which is honey colored, but some techs may use the Merc hi performance gear lube which is greenish blue. Smell is definitely different than af though!

 

[DJZIMMET]

Re: KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

Thank you for your responses! It is definitely gear oil, very viscous and green/blue. My question is could this occur if the drive was not winterized and stored as was charged for. The gear oil started to flow right after the thaw here.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[Lou C]

Re: KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

I had the same thing happen to my Cobra a couple of years ago. First winter it did not leak, second winter it did. I don't know if it was weather related, but for sure I had drained all the water out of the drive and backfilled all the hoses with no tox antifreeze. It was the seal on the bearing retainer in the lower unit, and the gear oil was leaking out of the water intake area. This year I had the shop where I have it serviced take it off in Dec and store it for me, they service it over the winter and will be reinstalling it next week. I don't know if low temps can cause these seals to leak.

 

[DJZIMMET]

Re: KING COBRA LOWER UNIT GEAR OIL LEAK

Thank Lou C.