leaking oil - OMC Stringer 800 outdrive

JBtwist

JBtwist

Seaman
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Jul 22, 2018
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58
So - this just started happening this week. There is oil leaking (pretty decent amount) from the lower unit.

Any idea if there is an easy repair so I don't have to rebuild the outdrive?
 

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kenny nunez

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Jun 20, 2017
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Put the drive down and check the oil level in the upper gear housing. Then check the lower gear housing. One thing I can tell you whichever one is leaking can be a real PITA to repair without some of the special tools. The lower gear housing is not as hard as the upper as long as the shift cable is not the problem. From the picture it will probably be an upper gear housing leak coming down from the pinion housing lower seals. The plating that is on the pinion shaft seal area is probably de-laminating. The parts are still available but properly installing the seals needs the special guide and mandrel to center them.
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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JBtwist said:
So - this just started happening this week. There is oil leaking (pretty decent amount) from the lower unit.

Any idea if there is an easy repair so I don't have to rebuild the outdrive?
Click to expand...

No, there is no easy repair

was the outdrive stored up over winter? or down?

if stored up, did you get freezing temperatures?

the last stringer that started leaking like that in spring was stored up, and water froze in the casting, breaking the casting.

as Kenny stated, you need specialty tools rebuild the drive one way or other.
 
JBtwist

JBtwist

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Jul 22, 2018
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58
Outdrive was stored up over the winter - yes with freezing temps.

Everything is still operating as normal - is it useable for this season? What is that oil lubricating? I'm a total newbie at this, but love projects :)

I'll check the oil later today.

What type of oil is in those housings? Anything I can get locally?
 
Redrig

Redrig

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Oct 13, 2009
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860
probably time to remove the drive and pressure test the upper and lower units separately on the bench to confirm the leaks location
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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JBtwist said:
What is that oil lubricating? I'm a total newbie at this, but love projects :)
Click to expand...

there are 3 separate gear boxes on a stringer drive. the intermediate on the back of the motor, then the upper and lower on the outdrive.

the oil could be coming from the upper or lower. its entering the water cavity.

it could be a simple seal, it could be a gasket, it could be a cracked housing or something else.

the problem with an outdrive, if it leaks oil out, it also leaks water in. and gear boxes do not survive with water in them.

from fixing a stringer on family boats, expecially the upper gear box only takes a few hundred feet prior to welding the bearings together when the oil level drops and water is allowed to make it in.
 
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