Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

[sjm32157]

I have a 1995 4.3 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive. I replaced the impeller and quad seal 2 years ago and all has worked well. I was prepping the boat last fall for storage and noticed that there was gear lube leaking out one of the weep holes. It had been very cold that night, 30 degrees or so. I wiped down the outdrive and watched the next few days but there wasn't any more leakage. I also checked the gear lube when I drained as part of the winterization routine. No water or emulsion streaks in the gear lube. Did my quad seal leak due to the cold weather (space shuttle effect)?? My boat isn't docked so it spends most of it's life in my backyard and I've never seen this before. Split the drive and stick in another quad seal???

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

More likely the shift shaft seal is getting bad,split the drive and have a look,pressure test,vacume test.
Grub

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

You also have two more seals and a couple of "O" rings in there. You must be a lot farther south than us if you think 30' is "very cold".

 

[sjm32157]

Re: Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

You also have two more seals and a couple of "O" rings in there. You must be a lot farther south than us if you think 30' is "very cold".

I live in PA. 30 feels a lot colder now that I am older....

Pressure tested a couple of seasons ago and it was fine, doesn't mean it's fine now.

The shift shaft seal might be the right clue. If I'm thinking right, the seal could be leaking and not let water into the drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

Forget guessing where the leak is, drain the gear lube and pressure test it with the drive off the boat. Many times you can hear the leak if it's in the raw water pump. Soapy water in a spray bottle will show you where the leak is as the leak starts blowing bubbles.

 

[sjm32157]

Re: Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

Boat is in storage now but I hope the weather breaks soon so I can get it out and start prepping for the season. Probably right Don, a pressure test will be definitive. If it is the shift shaft seal, it requires a special tool to replace?

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

Nope, no special tools.
Find the leak, then worry about what tools you need to fix it.

 

[mercs4mark]

Re: Outdrive leaking lube form weap hole

Yep with don but I would split the two halves and pressure test each. And while you have them apart replace your impeller. Grease up your splines and u joints if they are not the sealed type. Do a nice service on it before the season opens