OMC Stringer Intermediate Oil Leak

[Tacklewasher]

I have a 1975 Starcraft with a OMC drive. Bought it last year and have done a ton of work on it getting it reliable but I am stuck with one last nagging oil leak.<br /><br />The leak is in the intermediate housing where the steering gear come out. I'm wondering how hard this seal is to replace. Funny thing is is the oil is not getting milky but when the boat sits in the sun and heats up, it starts to drip off the steering gear. <br /><br />I assum I have to remove the outdrive to get this fixed?

 

[Marshall Dylan]

Re: OMC Stringer Intermediate Oil Leak

I have a leak in my intermediate unit as well, I'm not sure where it is coming from. It is a 1985 800 series stringer.
I did notice that when I went to check the oil that there was pressure built up in the oil cavity, enough to blow the plug out a little with some oil when I took the top cap off.
Did you notice if you where getting pressure built up in that cavity? My thinking is that maybe we are getting pressure built up and the pressure is pushing the oil out of the seal.

I'm new to these so I dont know if that is normal or not. And if not how to prevent it.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: OMC Stringer Intermediate Oil Leak

I am having trouble picturing this. It is my recollection that the IH steering shaft does not have any oil behind it. It simply goes thru a flange (w/ grease fitting) and runs forward into a socket that also has a grease fitting on it.

I takes the TruCouse steering drum to even hold it in place. Otherwize you could pull the gear and shaft out the back and leave it. There would be nothing to leak???