New bellows - still water in gear oil.

[sabastianunf]

I had a bunch of work done on my merc sterndrive about 1 1/2 years ago at a reputable shop. included new bellows, u-joints, gimble bearing, exhaust manifod and riser. I am still seeing water in my gear oil. With new bellows I am not sure where this water is coming from. Anyone have any Ideas where it may be getting in at?

 

[Don S]

Re: New bellows - still water in gear oil.

It can be anyplace there is a seal.
Pull the drive and see if there is water in the bellows, if there is, even a new seal on the input shaft will not prevent water in the drive. The seal is only designed to keep oil in, not water out. That is the job of the bellows.
May also be the big seal ring that goes next to the bellows (if you have an Alpha) that got cut.
If that is all ok, time to drain the gear lube and do a pressure and vacuum check to find the leak.