Outdrive leaking oil

[SSTKO81]

Good afternoon everyone. I had the boat out at the lake this weekend and it ran very well yesterday but this morning acted did like it had a pretty bad misfire to the point that it actually died on me a few times while coming back to the dock. I found that there was a spark plug wire that had a split boot so I think i have that issue taken care of. I checked everything out and added a little bit of oil to the outdrive since it had been nearly a year since I last checked it and Then ran it on the muffs in my driveway. I ran for about 15 minutes with no issue, turned everything off, and was cleaning up to go back inside when I noticed there was oil coming out of the water pass on the lower unit. What on gods green earth would cause this?

 

[Scott06]

You need to take the drive off split it and pressure test it. Could be from water pump base seal, shift shaft or upper driveshaft seal

 

[Rick Stephens]

As Scott said, one of those - should pull drive once a year and inspect and service everything, so this gives you a chance to catch up.

 

[SSTKO81]

You need to take the drive off split it and pressure test it. Could be from water pump base seal, shift shaft or upper driveshaft seal

 

[SSTKO81]

Possibly even the small o-ring between the two halves? That’s my favorite case scenario….
I was hearing a rattling from the top half and removed the inspection plate to find that bearing was worse for wear as well

 

[Rick Stephens]

Possibly even the small o-ring between the two halves? That’s my favorite case scenario….
I was hearing a rattling from the top half and removed the inspection plate to find that bearing was worse for wear as well

That one's called the quad ring. It is unlikely since it will equally leak internally and externally.

Low oil from a leak will eat top bearings fast.

 

[Nextelbuddy]

when i had this issue, it turned out to be the input shaft seal assembly that sits under the water pump. Gear lube leaked out of the water intake holes on the outdrive.

807929A1​

​

​

 

[crazy charlie]

Based on the color of your drive lube ,my guess is that your drive is loooong overdue for a service.Charlie

 

[karayj]

Get an impeller kit and gear oil and replace it . I do it on mine every 2 years.
the kit is 35 the oil is 14.

 

[Scott06]

Get an impeller kit and gear oil and replace it . I do it on mine every 2 years.
the kit is 35 the oil is 14.

Impeller kit isnt going to solve the gear oil leak he needs to determine which seal (s) are leaking first

 

[SSTKO81]

Based on the color of your drive lube ,my guess is that your drive is loooong overdue for a service.Charlie

You would think…. But it had new oil last season

 

[SSTKO81]

Impeller kit isnt going to solve the gear oil leak he needs to determine which seal (s) are leaking first

Think I found my answer

 

[SSTKO81]

In addition to finding the seal leaking, I took upper gear assy (name?) out and found the bearings and gear were trashed…. I guess I know what I’m doing today…

 

[SSTKO81]

Just wanted to update. I replaced the upper and lower oil seals as well as the cap bearing and gear sets. Pressure tested everything at 12psi for 12 hours and I’m ready to refil with oil and test. BUT wanted to first ask what everybody prefers as far as outdrive oil. Historically I’ve used Lucas synthetic 80w-90 but after this debacle I’m questioning my choice.

 

[Scott06]

Just wanted to update. I replaced the upper and lower oil seals as well as the cap bearing and gear sets. Pressure tested everything at 12psi for 12 hours and I’m ready to refil with oil and test. BUT wanted to first ask what everybody prefers as far as outdrive oil. Historically I’ve used Lucas synthetic 80w-90 but after this debacle I’m questioning my choice.

Lucas is fine, i use merc hi perf lube, not only because it is the factory lube, but also its available relatively cheap at wall mart

 

[SSTKO81]

Lucas is fine, i use merc hi perf lube, not only because it is the factory lube, but also its available relatively cheap at wall mart

I picked up Mystic JT4 outdrive oil at the local parts store and it’s quite a bit stickier than the Lucas so I went with it but did add some Lucas zinc +